If your hard drive is making strange noises like grinding or clicking sounds, and is taking longer than usual to save files, it likely indicates a problem with the hard drive that requires immediate attention. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to potential data loss if the drive fails completely.
What causes these symptoms?
Unusual noises and slow performance from a hard drive are often caused by mechanical failure inside the drive. The hard drive contains spinning platters and a read/write head that floats just above the platters on a cushion of air. If a mechanical component like the head actuator or spindle motor starts to fail, it can cause scraping, clicking or grinding noises as the parts make contact with each other or the platters.
Performance will also degrade as the mechanical components struggle to read and write data. The computer may temporarily freeze as it waits for data to load from the failing drive. So both the noises and slow performance indicate a hardware problem with the drive.
How to confirm it’s a hard drive issue?
To confirm that the source of the problem is indeed the hard drive and not something else:
- Listen closely to the noises coming from the computer to isolate it to the hard drive.
- Pay attention to when performance slows, especially when loading files from the hard drive.
- Check the hard drive indicator light when accessing data to confirm it is the bottleneck.
- Use a software utility like SMART to check the hard drive’s health status.
If the noises, performance issues, and health status all point to the hard drive, then it likely has a mechanical failure in progress.
What should you do to recover data?
Once a hard drive is making noises and showing signs of failure, immediate action is required to prevent possible data loss. Here are the steps to try:
- Stop using the drive – Continuing to use the drive could further damage it and make the problem worse.
- Back up important data – Copy files from the drive to another location before attempting repairs.
- Try drive repair software – Utilities like Disk Warrior or Spinrite can fix drive errors.
- Replace drive cabling – Damaged cables can sometimes cause grinding or clicking.
- Consider professional recovery – If DIY options don’t work, pros can disassemble the drive in a clean room to extract the data.
The most important thing is to stop using the drive and copy your critical files off of it as soon as you notice problems. This gives you the best chance of recovering your data before the drive completely dies.
What replacement or backup drives should you buy?
Once you’ve recovered the data from the failing drive, you’ll need to replace it to get your system running normally again. Here are some drive options to consider:
Replacement hard drive
- Match the capacity of your original drive or larger
- Same interface (SATA, IDE, etc)
- Equal or greater RPM speed
- Internal or external drive
Backup drive
- Portable external USB drive for manual backups
- NAS for automated networked backups
- Cloud backup service for offsite backups
Using a combination of a new internal drive and an external or cloud backup will provide you with the best protection against both drive failure and data loss.
How can you recover data from the failed drive?
If your drive is making noises or showing signs of failure, here are some steps to try to recover the data:
1. Repair software
Use drive repair utilities like Disk Warrior or Spinrite. They can fix drive errors and allow you to copy data off.
2. Replace drive components
If noises come from a failed bearing or stuck head, you may be able to replace just those components.
3. Remove drive from computer
Attach the drive externally using a USB enclosure or internal SATA connection.
4. Professional data recovery
A clean room recovery specialist can open the drive and repair components to access data.
5. Send to the manufacturer
Major hard drive companies like Seagate or WD may be able to recover data in-house.
The most affordable options like software and component replacement should be tried first. But for valuable data, professional recovery may be warranted if DIY doesn’t work.
Can you fix a hard drive making noises without losing data?
It’s possible to fix a noisy hard drive without losing data in some cases. Success depends on the specific type of noise and failure.
Fixes for clicking noises
- Realign or replace stuck head actuator
- Replace faulty head actuator magnets
- Swap PCB circuit board
Fixes for grinding noises
- Replace worn out ball bearings
- Swap failed spindle motor
- Re-lubricate drive spindle/platter components
Other fixes
- Update firmware if noises are firmware related
- Repair cable or connector issues
These mechanical fixes require disassembling the drive in a clean room to avoid dust contamination. So they are best performed by a professional recovery shop rather than trying DIY repairs.
Can you recover data from a dead hard drive?
Recovering data from a dead hard drive is difficult but often possible. If the drive has completely failed, here are some recovery options:
Send to a professional lab
Pros can disassemble the drive in a dust-free clean room and repair components to regain access to the platters.
Manufacturer assistance
Major hard drive vendors like Seagate, WD and Toshiba have in-house data recovery services.
Data recovery software
Utilities like Ontrack EasyRecovery can read platter data by bypassing the drive’s electronics.
Chip swap
Moving the PCB controller board to an identical donor drive may allow access to recover data.
If the drive’s platters are undamaged, there’s a good chance of recovering most data. But costs quickly escalate for clean room recovery, so prioritize which data is essential.
When should you replace a hard drive?
Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to replace a hard drive:
- The drive is over 3 years old
- Frequent bad sectors and data errors
- Strange noises like clicking or grinding
- Excessively long load and response times
- Overheating and temperature issues
- Difficulty detecting or connecting to drive
- Failed SMART diagnostics
- Frequent crashes and computer freezes
Drives can last beyond 3 years, but mechanical failure becomes increasingly likely over time. Immediately back up your data and replace the drive if you notice any of the above issues starting.
When to replace vs repair
Repairs like head swaps or PCB replacement make sense for rare or unusual drive models. But for common drives, replacement is preferred when any mechanical issues are noticed since new drives are inexpensive.
How can hard drive grinding noises be fixed?
Here are some troubleshooting steps to fix a hard drive making grinding noises:
- Isolate the noise to confirm it’s the hard drive.
- Check cable connections aren’t vibrating or loose.
- Try an alternate SATA/power cable for the drive.
- Inspect inside the drive for foreign debris if external.
- Attempt drive repairs using manufacturer or third-party tools.
- Assess if the grinding occurs only during certain operations.
- Back up data and replace the drive if noises persist.
Grinding is typically caused by a failed ball bearing or spun motor issue. Replacement of those components may stop the grinding. But opening up the drive carries risks and data could still be unrecoverable.
What are the steps to recover data from a dead laptop hard drive?
Here are the general steps to follow to attempt data recovery from a dead laptop internal hard drive:
- Remove the drive – Physically remove the hard drive from the laptop chassis.
- Connect externally – Use a USB adapter or caddy to connect the drive externally to another computer.
- Scan and test – Scan the drive platters and test for mechanical issues.
- Attempt recovery – Use data recovery software or clean room methods to extract data.
- Assess viability – Determine if parts replacement or professional recovery are warranted.
- Claim data – Transfer recovered data to another working drive.
Safely removing and connecting the drive externally avoids taxing damaged components. Then you can attempt both DIY and professional recovery steps before resorting to a full drive replacement.
Tips to prevent hard drive failure
You can help prevent catastrophic hard drive failure and extend the life of your drive with proper maintenance:
- Handle with care – Avoid physical shocks and impacts to the drive.
- Keep clean – Use compressed air to clean dust buildup on the drive.
- Monitor temps – Use a software utility to check drive temperatures.
- Defragment – Periodically defrag the drive to prevent performance loss.
- Eject properly – Always use “Safely Remove” before disconnecting external drives.
- Upgrade firmware – Install firmware updates from the manufacturer.
- Scan SMART – Run regular SMART diagnostic scans to catch problems early.
Following best practices for drive maintenance and implementing redundancy via backups can add years to the lifespan of your hard drive.
Conclusion
Unusual grinding or clicking noises from a hard drive, combined with slow performance, typically indicate mechanical failure. Immediately back up important data before attempting any repairs. Software fixes, drive repairs and professional data recovery services can retrieve data in some cases. But it’s often easiest just to replace the faulty drive and restore backups. Following best practices can help maximize the longevity of your drives.