Solid state drives (SSDs) are a type of storage device that uses flash memory instead of a spinning hard disk. SSDs have no moving parts, making them faster, more durable, and energy efficient than traditional hard drives. However, SSDs also use different technologies and protocols than hard drives, which can sometimes lead to issues when trying to format or initialize a new SSD.
Formatting prepares a drive for use by creating a file system and partitioning the drive. Common file systems like NTFS and FAT32 organize the drive’s memory into files and folders. However, SSDs may require special drivers or settings in order to work properly with these file systems. If the necessary compatibility measures are not taken, you may encounter errors or crashes when trying to format an SSD.
Common Reasons SSDs Won’t Format
There are several common reasons why a solid state drive (SSD) may fail to format properly on a Windows PC:
File system incompatibility – The most common cause is trying to format the SSD with an incompatible file system. For Windows PCs, NTFS is typically the best file system to use. Formatting with exFAT or FAT32 may result in errors.
Disk errors – If the SSD has bad sectors or file system corruption, it may fail to format. Errors can occur if the drive was not safely ejected or suffered a sudden power loss during writes. Scanning for errors using the CHKDSK utility may help identify issues (source).
Connection issues – Loose cables, a faulty SATA port, driver problems, or USB issues can prevent an SSD from being accessed to format it. Reseating connections and trying different ports may help isolate these types of errors.
Insufficient permissions – The user account must have administrator access to format drives in Windows. Logging in with an admin account can resolve permission issues (source).
Checking SSD Compatibility
Before attempting to format a new SSD, it’s important to first check that the drive is compatible with your computer. There are a few key factors that determine SSD compatibility:
SSD specifications – Make sure to check the SSD’s form factor (2.5″ vs M.2), interface (SATA vs NVMe), and capacity to ensure it matches up with your computer’s requirements. For example, a NVMe M.2 SSD may not work in a laptop that only supports SATA connections.[1]
Computer BIOS settings – The computer’s BIOS must be configured to detect the SSD. Older computers may need a BIOS update to add NVMe support. Go into the BIOS and confirm the SATA operation mode is set to AHCI for best SSD performance.
Disk management – Use the Windows Disk Management utility to see if the SSD is recognized. If not, the physical connection may be loose or the drive may be defective.
Referencing the SSD’s specifications and computer manual can clarify the compatibility. Tools like Samsung’s SSD compatibility checker can also validate matchups before purchasing.[2] With the right SSD that’s compatible with your setup, you’ll be ready to tackle formatting.
[1] https://www.coolblue.nl/en/advice/what-type-of-ssd.html
[2] https://www.partitionwizard.com/clone-disk/ssd-compatibility.html
Troubleshooting Disk Errors
One common reason your SSD may fail to format is underlying disk errors. There are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:
First, run the built-in error-checking utility called chkdsk in Windows. This scans your drive and attempts to repair any bad sectors or file system issues https://www.backblaze.com/blog/ssd-troubleshooting/. Open an elevated Command Prompt and type “chkdsk C: /f” to scan drive C.
You can also try updating your SSD firmware. Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates with bug fixes and performance improvements. An outdated firmware version can sometimes cause formatting issues. Check your drive manufacturer’s website for the latest firmware update tool.
Finally, if the SSD is still having issues, you may need a more comprehensive scan for bad sectors using a third party tool like HD Sentinel https://hdsentinel.com/blog/failing-ssd-symptoms. This can help identify if the drive hardware itself is failing.
Checking Physical Connections
One of the most common reasons an SSD may fail to format correctly is because of a loose physical connection. Before troubleshooting any further, it’s important to check that the SSD is properly seated in the computer and using the right cables.
First, ensure the SSD is fully inserted into the motherboard or external enclosure. Many SSDs use the M.2 form factor which can come loose over time. If using SATA, check that the power and data cables are firmly connected at both ends. For NVMe drives, inspect both ends of the PCIe slot connection. An improper insertion can cause detection issues that prevent formatting.
Second, confirm you are using the correct cables for the SSD type. SATA drives require SATA data cables and power cables. M.2 slots need an NVMe-compatible M.2 cable adapter. Using the improper cables can lead to connectivity problems and drive errors. The SSD’s specifications will indicate the right cable types to use.
Lastly, if connecting an external SSD, check that any required external power cables are connected. Portable external SSDs powered solely via USB may have insufficient power delivery to function properly. Connecting external power via a Y-cable or power adapter can resolve this.
Carefully reseating connections and using proper cabling tailored for your SSD’s interfaces will help rule out any physical connection issues preventing drive formatting.
Confirming User Permissions
One common reason an SSD may not format properly is insufficient user permissions. By default, only users with administrator access can format drives in Windows. To format an SSD, you’ll need to confirm you have admin rights.
First, try formatting the SSD while logged into an admin account, like the default administrator account in Windows. If you receive a permissions error, you may need to take ownership of the drive.
To take ownership, right-click the SSD, select Properties > Security > Advanced, and click Change next to the owner name. Enter your username and click OK. Apply this change recursively to subfolders and files. Now try formatting again as admin.
Finally, verify in Disk Management you have full permissions to the SSD. If issues persist, try assigning yourself full control permissions following instructions here.
Using Diskpart Utility
The Diskpart command line utility included with Windows provides a powerful tool for cleaning, partitioning, and formatting SSD drives. Some key Diskpart commands for formatting an SSD include:
CLEAN – This erases all partitions and data from the SSD, resetting it to an unallocated state ready for partitioning.[1]
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY – Creates a new primary partition on the disk.
SELECT PARTITION # – Selects a partition to format.
FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK – Formats the partition with NTFS file system using a quick format.
ASSIGN LETTER=X – Assigns drive letter X to the partition.
Diskpart provides a quick and automated way to completely wipe and format an SSD from the command line. By stepping through the proper sequence of cleaning, partitioning, and formatting commands, you can easily reset your SSD no matter what state it’s currently in.[2]
Third-Party Format Tools
If the built-in Windows formatting tools are unable to format your SSD, you may need to try using third-party formatting software. Some popular and highly-rated options include:
MiniTool Partition Wizard (Freeware) – This free tool allows you to easily format disks and partitions. It supports many file systems including NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. According to PartitionWizard, it’s a great SSD formatting option with no risk of harming your drive.
GParted (GNU General Public License) – An open source formatting utility for Linux operating systems. It provides options for securely erasing all data before reformatting the SSD.
Paragon Partition Manager (Freeware) – Allows formatting of drives, with a user-friendly interface. The free version has limited functionality compared to the paid software.
Third party tools have benefits over the built-in Windows formatter. They provide more flexibility, allow you to choose from a wider range of filesystems, and some include advanced options like secure erase or alignment optimization for SSDs. The interfaces are often easier to use as well. Overall they give you more control and reliability when reformatting an SSD.
Secure Erase Alternative
Before formatting a new SSD, some users may want to perform a secure erase to wipe the drive and restore peak performance. This is especially recommended for used SSDs. Rather than traditional formatting, a secure erase overwrites all data on the SSD with zeroes which cannot be recovered (1). This helps avoid any possibility of data remnants from the previous user. A secure erase also resets all SSD cells to an empty state, which can help boost write speeds closer to when the drive was new.
The easiest way to perform a secure erase on a SSD is through your motherboard’s UEFI BIOS if the SSD is the boot drive. There is typically an option to enable “Secure Erase” or “ATA Secure Erase” which will fully wipe the SSD after confirming the action (2). For non-boot SSDs, you can use free tools like Parted Magic or Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) booted from a USB drive. These tools include a secure erase option. Keep in mind secure erasing can take several hours to complete depending on the SSD size and tool used.
When to Seek Professional Help
In some cases, DIY troubleshooting may not be enough to get your SSD working properly again. Here are some signs it’s time to seek professional SSD data recovery services:
If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting options like checking connections, permissions, Diskpart, and third-party tools, but your SSD still won’t format or remains inaccessible, a professional may be able to help recover your data and get the drive functioning again. Persistent issues that prevent an SSD from formatting or being accessed often require advanced techniques and tools that pros have access to.
If there is critical personal or business data stored on the SSD that you absolutely need recovered, it’s best to seek professional help right away. SSD data recovery pros have sophisticated clean room facilities and advanced capabilities to extract data even from SSDs that are fully crashed or have physical damage. They can often recover data that an average user could not.
Leading professional SSD recovery services like DriveSavers and Ontrack offer high success rates for recovering data from failed or inaccessible SSDs. For the best chance at getting your critical data back, trust the experts.