Solid state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular in computers over the past decade thanks to their fast speeds and reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, some SSD owners have reported hearing odd scratching or clicking noises coming from their SSDs. What causes these sounds, and should you be concerned?
What is Causing the Scratching Sound?
There are a few potential sources for scratching or clicking noises coming from an SSD:
- Physical vibration from internal components – All electronics make some low level noise from vibrations. SSDs have no moving parts, but vibrations from components like capacitors or controller chips can sometimes be audible.
- Activity noises – When an SSD reads or writes data, it does produce very faint clicks and chirps from the NAND flash memory chips. This is normal background SSD noise.
- Electrical interference – SSDs and other computer components can pick up electrical noise from nearby components that manifests as clicks, buzzing, or scratching through the audio outputs.
- Failing component – In rare cases, a failing SSD component like a capacitor or voltage regulator can produce scratching or grinding noises indicative of a hardware problem.
When Are Noises a Sign of a Problem?
The majority of the time, minor clicking or scratching from an SSD is completely normal and not a sign of a problem. All electronics make some ambient noise when in operation. However, there are some circumstances where new or louder scratching noises from an SSD may indicate an issue:
- High pitched grinding or screeching sounds – This kind of noise points to a mechanical failure within the SSD.
- Frequent loud clicks or scratches – If the noise occurs constantly at high volume, that indicates a component on the SSD is likely failing.
- Scratching that correlates with drive activity – If the noise only happens when actively reading/writing data, that can mean a bad memory chip or controller.
- Scratching started after a recent drop or impact – Physical shock can damage SSD internals and produce scratching noises.
In these cases where the scratching noises are frequent, loud, or started recently, the SSD may be developing a hardware defect and continued use could result in data loss.
SSD Failure Noise Examples
It can be hard to determine through description alone whether an SSD noise is normal or a sign of impending failure. Here are some audio examples of SSD sounds indicating a defective drive vs normal operating noise:
Normal SSD Sounds
- Faint clicking when accessing data:
- Intermittent mild scratching:
- High pitched background whine:
SSD Failure Sounds
- Loud grinding and screeching:
- Frequent loud clicks:
- Constant scratching while idle:
As you can hear, normal operating noises are very subtle, while failing SSD sounds are much louder and can occur constantly whether or not drive activity is present.
How to Diagnose the Cause of SSD Scratching
If your SSD is making concerning levels of scratching or clicking noise, there are a few steps you can take to diagnose the cause and determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced:
- Isolate the source – Determine if the noise is definitively coming from the SSD itself and not a different component. Shut down all other devices in the computer.
- Check connections – Reseat SATA/power cables and make sure the SSD is properly secured in its bay without loose parts that could vibrate.
- Update SSD firmware – Outdated firmware on the SSD can sometimes contribute to noise. Download the latest firmware from the manufacturer.
- Test with another computer – If the scratching persists, remove the SSD and test it in another computer if available to see if noise continues.
- Scan for errors – Run the manufacturer’s diagnostic software to check SMART status and scan for bad sectors or read/write errors indicating hardware failure.
- Back up data – If errors are found or noise indicates imminent failure, immediately back up all data on the SSD.
This process will help narrow down if the noises are normal operation vs hardware defect and if data integrity is at risk. Contact the SSD maker about a replacement if error scans find issues.
Best Practices to Avoid Damaging SSDs
While the vast majority of SSD failures are totally random and unavoidable, you can take proactive steps minimize the chances of your SSD failing and making strange noises during its usable lifespan:
- Handle gently – Avoid dropping or shocking solid state drives.
- Keep cool – Ensure SSDs have adequate airflow and do not overheat.
- Secure properly – Always screw SSDs firmly into bays and do not allow loose parts to vibrate.
- Update firmware – Maintain current SSD firmware to prevent potential bugs.
- Monitor health – Periodically scan SSDs for read/write errors which can precede failure.
- Back up data – Always maintain backups so drive failure does not mean data loss.
While you cannot prevent all SSD failures, following best practices maximizes lifespan and avoids environmental factors that contribute to hardware degradation.
When to Replace a Noisy or Damaged SSD
If your troubleshooting determines the SSD is definitely the source of scratching/clicking noises or testing detects read/write errors, replacement is the next step. Repairing a damaged SSD yourself is not really feasible – the only option is to swap in a new drive.
Some signs it’s time to replace a misbehaving SSD include:
- Loud scratching or grinding noises, especially during disk activity
- Frequent crashes, freezes, or file corruption
- S.M.A.R.T. errors like high read error rates
- Bad sectors detected during error scans
- Visibly damaged hardware like a cracked circuit board
Continuing to use a SSD exhibiting these warning signs can lead to a complete failure where data cannot be recovered from the drive. At the first indications of hardware defect, start the replacement process.
Data Migration to a New SSD
When swapping in a new SSD due to hardware failure, you’ll need to migrate your data from the old drive. Options include:
- Cloning the full contents of the old drive to the new using disk imaging software like Acronis.
- Manually copying only your critical data files from the old drive to the new.
- Performing a clean OS install on the new drive, then copying over any data.
The best migration method depends on the extent of any damage and whether you’re able to reliably read data from the failing drive. With severe read errors, a manual file copy or clean install may be the only options.
Disposing of a Dead SSD
Once the data is migrated to a new SSD, properly dispose of the old drive if physically damaged or completely dead. Methods include:
- Physically destroying the drive if the data is sensitive.
- Using a dedicated HDD/SSD eraser tool for safe, complete data deletion.
- Removing any salvageable components for reuse then recycling the rest responsibly.
Properly destroying and recycling dead SSDs keeps sensitive data secure and prevents any environmental harm from toxicity or landfilling.
Conclusion
Hearing your solid state drive suddenly start emitting scratching or clicking noises can be concerning. But in many cases, it is just normal background noise from SSD components and not a sign of imminent failure.
Distinguish normal operating noise by its intermittent and quiet nature, as opposed to repetitive loud sounds indicating a true hardware defect. If you remain unsure about the cause of SSD scratching, systematically troubleshoot connections, firmware, and run drive diagnostics to determine if damage or errors are present.
Catching and replacing a failing SSD early means avoiding catastrophic data loss. Handle drives gently, keep firmware updated, monitor health metrics, and always maintain good backups to maximize SSD lifespan and data integrity.