Hard drives spinning up and down intermittently is a common issue many users face. A hard drive is a data storage device found in computers and external enclosures that contains the operating system, programs, and files. It spins at high speeds to read and write data. The spinning platters generate heat and consume power, so most drives will enter a low-power idle mode after a period of inactivity. However, some drives spin up and down constantly due to faulty hardware, software settings, or external factors.
This frequent spin up and down behavior can be concerning for users. The seemingly random nature makes it hard to pinpoint the cause. Constantly powering on uses more electricity and puts extra stress on the drive. Excessive spin ups may indicate an underlying problem or impending failure. This article examines the various reasons a hard drive may start spinning then stop unexpectedly, and provides troubleshooting tips to diagnose the issue.
Normal Spinning Behavior
Hard drives are designed to spin constantly whenever they are powered on and connected to a computer, allowing the drive heads to access data quickly whenever needed (https://www.quora.com/Is-it-normal-for-a-hard-drive-to-stop-spinning-after-a-few-seconds). This constant spinning allows a hard drive to have very fast random access times to data stored in any location. The platters inside the hard drive spin at speeds between 5400 and 15,000 RPM depending on the drive. This high-speed rotation is required for the drive heads to be positioned over any track on a platter within milliseconds of a request. Stopping and restarting the spin each time data is accessed would result in unacceptable delays.
Some newer hard drives may have power saving features that stop the disk from spinning during extended idle periods, but in general mechanical hard drives are designed to spin constantly whenever powered on for optimal performance (https://superuser.com/questions/990739/does-a-mechanical-hard-drive-not-ssd-spin-constantly-while-the-machine-is-on). So intermittent spinning and stopping is generally not normal behavior for a healthy hard drive that is in active use.
Power Saving Features
Many modern hard drives have built-in power saving features to stop the drive from spinning when it is not in use. This helps reduce energy consumption and can extend the lifespan of the drive by minimizing wear and tear from constant spinning.
For example, Seagate’s PowerChoice technology allows hard drives to intelligently manage their power consumption. As this Seagate whitepaper explains, PowerChoice-enabled drives can reduce power usage by up to 75% compared to always-on drives. The drives listen for host commands and spin down during idle periods, powering up instantly when needed.
Operating systems like Windows 10 also have default power settings to spin down hard drives after a period of inactivity. As noted on SuperUser, this is designed to save energy, although some users choose to disable these settings if constant drive access is needed.
So in summary, occasional start-stop cycles from power saving modes are normal drive behavior, not necessarily signs of a problem. Allowing spin downs during idle periods has efficiency benefits and causes little wear over time.
External Factors
External issues like vibrations, loose connections, and faulty power can cause a hard drive to spin improperly and intermittently. Hard drives contain sensitive internal components that can be affected by external forces.
Vibrations from nearby footsteps, loud music, or slamming doors can cause the read/write head inside a hard drive to misalign over the platter (Vibration of hard disk drives – UW Mechanical Engineering). This vibration disrupts the spinning and can lead to intermittent or failed spinning. Using anti-vibration mounts or padded surfaces can help reduce vibration impact.
Loose cable connections between the hard drive and computer can also lead to detection issues that prevent proper spinning. Securely connecting data and power cables ensures stable communication between the drive and system (How susceptible are spinning disks to vibrations?). Faulty or inadequate power from a failing power supply can also contribute to intermittent spinning.
Signs of a Failing Drive
Frequent starting and stopping of the hard drive spinning can be one of the first signs of a failing or faulty drive. This behavior indicates the drive is having trouble reading data from the platters or heads inside the hard drive enclosure. When you access data from the drive, the platters will spin up to read the data. But with a failing drive, the platters may frequently stop mid-spin and then restart as the drive struggles to fully access the data. This start/stop cycle results in delayed data access and overall sluggish performance.
According to How to Check If Your Hard Drive Is Failing (https://www.avg.com/en/signal/hard-drive-failure-signs-and-test), other common symptoms of a failing hard drive include strange noises like humming, clicking or grinding, overheating even when the drive is not in heavy use, and frequent crashes or file corruption. These types of issues usually start out intermittent but get progressively worse over time. Catching the early signs of failure can allow you to back up your data and replace the drive before catastrophic failure results in complete data loss.
Software Factors
Some software can park the heads and stop a drive from spinning when idle. For example, some third party utilities like HDDScan and GreenDrive allow users to customize power savings features and stop unnecessary drive spinups. The default Windows power plan may also frequently spin drives up with certain settings.
In addition, outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers and firmware issues can also lead to problems with hard drive spin up/spin down behaviors. Using the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website can help resolve any software-related causes. Troubleshooting steps may include uninstalling problematic software, resetting power plans to default, or updating drivers and firmware.
As explained on Reddit, “The only way is to have them unplugged. Sadly they are built to spin when they are running in order to function, even if they are idle they have to spin up every dozen seconds or so to maintain performance.”
Sources:
Is there a way to stop hard drives from spinning when not in use?
byu/DISTROJAR-69 inpcmasterrace
Troubleshooting
If your hard drive is spinning up and then stopping intermittently, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try to diagnose the root cause:
First, do a power cycle by unplugging the power cable and reconnecting it. This resets the drive and can help if it’s stuck in a bad state.
Run the manufacturer’s diagnostic software to check the SMART status and run drive tests. SMART checks can detect issues like bad sectors or mechanical problems (Source).
Try connecting the drive to another computer or enclosure. This helps determine if the issue is with the specific USB/SATA connection or a problem with the drive itself.
Open Device Manager and check for any error codes or alerts for the drive. This can indicate connection problems or failed components.
Update the firmware, chipset, and storage drivers on your system to rule out a software incompatibility issue.
If the drive is still having trouble spinning up consistently, it likely has a mechanical failure or degraded components. At that point replacement may be necessary.
Preventative Maintenance
One of the best ways to prevent hard drive failure is through regular preventative maintenance. This involves keeping your hard drive clean, minimizing vibration, and keeping it up-to-date.
Dust buildup can cause overheating issues and lead to drive failure. Use compressed air to routinely clean out your computer case and remove any dust buildup on or around the drive. Wiping down the outside of the drive casing can also help keep it clean [1].
Hard drives contain fast moving parts that are sensitive to vibration. Place your computer tower on a stable surface and avoid jarring or dropping it. Consider using vibration dampening pads under the tower if it will be in a location prone to vibration like a desk in a busy office [2].
Keep your hard drive firmware and drivers updated to the latest versions. Updates often include fixes for bugs that could lead to crashes or failure. Check for updates periodically through your operating system or the drive manufacturer’s website.
When to Replace a Drive
There are a few signs that indicate it may be time to replace your hard drive. As hard drives age beyond 5 years, they have a significantly increased risk of failure (Source). Some signs your drive may be failing include:
- Increased noise or clicking sounds
- Longer load times
- Frequent freezes or crashes
- Bad sectors or data corruption
- Failure to spin up or be detected
If you notice any of these issues, it’s a good indication your hard drive needs to be replaced. At that point, you have a few options:
- Replace with another traditional hard drive (HDD)
- Upgrade to a solid state drive (SSD) for better performance
- Use an external USB drive as a replacement
SSDs in particular offer significant speed improvements over traditional HDDs. Though more expensive, SSD prices have dropped steadily, making them a viable upgrade option (Source). If your hard drive is showing signs of failure, an SSD replacement can breathe new life into an aging computer.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many potential reasons why a hard drive may start spinning and then stop intermittently. The most common causes are power saving features, external factors like vibration or temperature, software settings, and early signs of a failing drive. While occasional spinning may be normal, repetitive start/stop cycles could indicate an underlying issue.
It’s important to monitor your hard drive health and performance for changes over time. Sudden increases in spin ups and downs often precede outright failure. Using tools like S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and disk utilities can help diagnose problems early. With preventative steps like antivirus scans, defragmentation, and proper ventilation, you can maximize your drive’s lifespan.
If troubleshooting does not resolve the intermittent spinning, it may be time to replace the drive. Back up important data regularly, as a faulty drive can fail at any time. Understanding what causes hard drives to start and stop unexpectedly can help you identify issues before they result in data loss.