What Makes SSDs Noisy
One of the most common causes of noise from SSDs is vibration and resonance during read/write operations (Superuser.com). Unlike traditional hard disk drives, SSDs have no spinning mechanical parts. However, the electrical components inside the SSD can still produce audible high-frequency noises when accessed. Faster SSDs with quicker data transfer speeds tend to vibrate more intensely, leading to louder buzzing or whining noises. The quality of components used in budget SSDs may also contribute to increased noise levels. Cheaper capacitors, transistors, and controller chips are more prone to electromagnetic interference that gets amplified into audible sound.
In summary, the main factors that can cause extra SSD noise are:
- Vibration from data access of components like NAND flash memory chips
- High frequency electrical oscillations in weaker cheap components
- Sensitivity to electromagnetic interference in poorly shielded SSD internals
These effects tend to be more noticeable in faster and lower-quality SSDs as speeds increase and build quality decreases (Tom’s Hardware Forums).
Normal vs Abnormal SSD Noise
Some noise from an SSD is normal, especially during intense read and write operations. SSDs contain electronic components like capacitors and transistors that can emit a faint electrical buzzing or high pitched squeal when under heavy load (1). This is harmless and a byproduct of the SSD working hard to transfer data. As electrical current passes through the components, it can create electromagnetic oscillations that lead to audible noise.
However, abnormal noises like loud grinding, squeaking, or repetitive clicking are problematic. These types of disruptive noises often indicate a faulty component or failing drive. Clicking is especially worrisome, as it can signify the SSD is unable to read or write data from its flash storage chips. This will eventually lead to data loss or drive failure. Other problematic noises include a constant loud buzzing or screeching noise.
In summary, while some minor noise is expected from an SSD under load, harsh mechanical sounds usually mean something is wrong with the drive. Periodically listening to your SSD can help detect any abnormal acoustics before they lead to bigger problems (2).
SSD Noise Troubleshooting
To troubleshoot noise coming from your SSD, the first step is to isolate whether it’s actually the SSD making the noise or another component like a fan or hard drive. Try holding your ear close to the SSD while the noise occurs to pinpoint the source. You can also try removing the SSD and running the computer without it to see if the noise persists.
Testing the SSD in a different system or configuration can also help determine if the noise is caused by that specific drive. For example, connect the SSD externally using a USB enclosure or adapter and check if the noise continues. Or install the SSD in another computer if available to you.
Updating to the latest SSD firmware can potentially fix an issue causing abnormal noise. Before updating, be sure to backup your data. Then download and install the firmware update from the SSD manufacturer’s website. You may also want to try reformatting the SSD after the firmware update.
As a last resort, try replacing the SATA cable connecting the SSD. A faulty cable could cause interference that results in strange noises.
Fixing a Noisy SSD
If your SSD is making excessive or abnormal noise, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
First, determine if the noise is actually coming from a defective SSD. Not all SSD noises indicate a problem – some operating sounds are normal. However, repetitive loud clicking, screeching, or grinding noises likely signify a faulty drive. If you suspect the SSD itself is defective, then replacement is the only option. Consult the manufacturer’s warranty and support options for a replacement.
If the SSD seems otherwise functional, noise problems can sometimes be mitigated through physical damping techniques. Adding sound dampening materials like rubber washers, foam pads, or silicone grommets when mounting the SSD can absorb vibrations. Lining the inside of a computer case with sound damping foam can also muffle an overly loud SSD.
Finally, adjusting the computer’s power settings can potentially reduce SSD noise. Enabling the ASPM (Active State Power Management) setting in the BIOS tweaks power delivery to the SSD and may eliminate irritating electrical whining or coil noise. Refer to your motherboard manual for instructions on accessing and changing this setting.
With one or more of these fixes, you may be able to solve an annoyingly noisy SSD without fully replacing the drive. However, if the SSD is exhibiting other issues like crashes or data errors, replacement may still be necessary even if you’ve mitigated the noise problem.
SSD Noise Prevention
There are a few steps you can take to help prevent excessive noise from your SSD:
Buy high quality SSD components – Investing in a reputable brand name SSD from manufacturers like Samsung, Crucial, or Western Digital can help avoid some noise issues caused by low quality or faulty components. Higher grade SSDs tend to use better quality NAND flash memory chips and controllers.
Enable SSD firmware updates – Keeping your SSD firmware up to date can fix bugs and improve performance in ways that reduce vibrations and noise. Check your SSD manufacturer’s website periodically for new firmware releases.
Allow proper airflow and cooling – Ensure your SSD has sufficient airflow and is not crammed tightly among other warm components. Overheating can cause SSDs to throttle performance in noisy ways. Mounting your SSD securely can also minimize vibrations that induce noise.
Sources:
https://superuser.com/questions/1603729/why-can-i-hear-my-ssd-grinding-for-disk-operations-when-it-is-solid-state
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/does-an-ssd-make-an-audible-sound.3706193/
Quieter SSD Alternatives
There are some alternative SSD options that tend to run quieter for those bothered by SSD noise:
Look for quieter SSD models like the WD Black SN850X or SK Hynix Platinum P41. Reviews show these have excellent performance with lower noise levels.
Use hybrid SSHD drives like the Seagate FireCuda that combine flash storage with a hard disk drive. The SSD component handles most activity quietly while the HDD stores bulk data.
Switch to NVMe drives like the Samsung 970 EVO which connect via PCIe instead of SATA. NVMe drives have no moving parts so they tend to run silently.
Living With SSD Noise
While SSD noise can be annoying, in most cases it is temporary and occurs during normal operation as data is read from or written to the drive. The noise levels from an SSD are still typically much lower than traditional hard disk drives with spinning platters and moving read/write heads.
There are some steps you can take to cope with minor SSD noise during use. Using noise-cancelling headphones or playing background music can help mask buzzing or clicking sounds from the SSD. Situating your computer tower further away from where you sit can also reduce the audible noise.
For laptop users, an external cooling pad can help reduce buzzing by keeping the SSD cooler during intensive read/write sessions. Some SSDs also have firmware updates available that can help minimize odd noises in certain situations.
While the noises can be distracting for some, for most users they are a reasonable trade-off for the performance benefits of solid state drives over traditional hard drives. With some minor sound masking techniques, the noises can be easy to live with during normal operation.
When to Worry About Noise
Certain noises coming from your SSD may be cause for concern and indicate potential failure. Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not normally make audible noises during operation. So if you start hearing unusual sounds, pay attention.
Signs that your SSD may be failing based on noise include:
- Grinding or screeching noises – These types of abrasive, mechanical sounds are not normal for SSDs and likely indicate a physical problem.
- Constant noise even when idle – SSDs should be silent when not reading or writing data. Ongoing noise could mean the drive is stuck trying to access faulty sectors.
- Loud noise during light use – Excessive noise when performing basic tasks like web browsing may mean the SSD is working harder than normal and could fail soon.
According to experts, if your SSD starts making abnormal noises, you should immediately backup your data and consider replacing the drive. The noises likely mean components inside the SSD are failing. Continuing to use a noisy SSD could result in catastrophic failure and permanent data loss.
Some key sources on SSD failure noises include:
[1] https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-warning-signs-ssd-break-fail/
[2] https://platinumdatarecovery.com/blog/top-3-warning-signs-of-ssd-failure
Backing Up Noisy SSD Data
If your SSD is making abnormal noises, it’s important to back up your data as soon as possible to avoid potential data loss from a drive failure. Here are some tips for backing up a noisy SSD:
Copy important data to a secondary drive. Connect an external HDD or a second internal drive and transfer your critical files, documents, photos, etc. Having a backup on another drive provides protection if the SSD fails.
Maintain offsite backups in case of failure. Consider using a cloud backup service or storing backups on an external drive that’s kept off premises. This guards against data loss from physical damage or theft of your computer.
Consider using RAID mirroring. Use a RAID 1 configuration to automatically duplicate your data on a second identical SSD. This provides real-time backup in case one drive fails. Just make sure your RAID SSDs are from different manufacturing batches.
Regularly verify backup integrity and test restores. Check that your backup files are not corrupted and that you’re able to successfully restore from backups. A faulty backup offers no protection if your SSD fails.
Ultimately, a noisy SSD is a warning sign that failure could be imminent. Take steps to secure your data before it’s too late.
Seeking Professional Help
If your SSD is still noisy after trying all of the troubleshooting steps, it may be time to seek help from a professional. Here are some options to consider:
Consult manufacturer support resources – Most SSD manufacturers have online knowledge bases, user forums, live chat, or phone support that you can use. They may be able to help diagnose the issue or walk you through more advanced troubleshooting steps specific to your model.
Visit reputable repair shop for diagnosis – A computer repair shop that specializes in storage devices can open up your SSD, inspect it, and determine exactly what is causing the noise. They may be able to repair or replace worn-out components.
Consider data recovery specialists – If your SSD is failing, a data recovery service may be able to rescue your files before the drive fails completely. This can be expensive but is sometimes the only option to avoid permanent data loss.