Do you know why the hard disk fails? What are the signs of hard drive failure? No!
Worry not, here we will explain 7 reasons for hard disk failure and how to recover data.
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Unquestionably hard disk drives are the most important part of a system. But when they fail to boot or get corrupted the entire system functioning is affected and several issues are caused. Hence, to avoid this from happening and to recover lost data, below are the common reasons for a hard disk failure, signs that the hard drive is failing, and how to restore data.
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7 Reasons for Hard Disk Failure
When bad sectors get accumulated on the hard disk chances of hard drive failure increase. To avoid such things from happening using a tool that helps analyze disk is recommended, for this you can use Disk Analyzer Pro. As the name explains, this software helps manage disk space consumption, declutter the disk, detect large, old, and compressed files. Moreover, using it, you can search for unwanted files, zero size files, duplicates, and more. This helps organize data on disk and add extra years to disk life.
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To know more about this tool, read the complete review on Disk Analyzer Pro.
Now, that we know how we can optimize the disk, let’s learn about the hard disk failure reasons, due to which we might end up losing all the data. Here is the list of common reasons for hard disk failure.
1. Bad sectors –
During read and write operations, inaccessible data sectors are known as bad sectors.
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
| Wear and tear of platter surface | Inaccessible files and folders | Use a system optimization tool like Advanced System Optimizer to check the disk for errors |
| Tracking errors and head crash | Sluggish system performance and regular cyclic redundancy errors |
Best Solution – Use a recovery tool to access as much as data is possible from bad sectors.
2. Human Error
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Changes made to system registry and accidental removal of system files | Damage to the disk | Use a trusted and reliable data recovery solution to retrieve the data. |
| Incorrect OS installation, changes in system file attributes | Permanent data loss |
3. Virus and Malware –
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Virus Attack or corrupt system file | Important files are damaged due to virus or they get corrupt | Shut down the system immediately |
| Software bug, removal of important system files | System becomes inaccessible | While installing software pay attention and avoid installing software from unknown sites |
Best Solution – Use a data recovery tool like Advanced Disk Recovery to recover data from the disk that is showing errors.
4. Overheating –
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
| Faulty CPU Fan | Overheating of PC/laptop as soon as you boot it | Cooldown the CPU and get the fan fixed |
| Improper ventilation | Clicking sound from the hardware | Use thermal paste |
| CPU fan stops working |
5. Firmware or Manufacturer’s Fault –
Hardware manufacturers assess hard disk state, use Firmware. But if the platter area or the PCB board on which it is located gets corrupt the drive fails.
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| There’s no specific reason for it, mostly it is due to a fault at the manufacturer level | Cannot detect the hard drive | Contact manufacturer for a replacement |
| The drive is not recognized correctly and the system hangs or does not boot |
Best Solution – Use a professional data recovery tool to recover data.
6. Power Surge –
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Unreliable power supply | Damage PCB and abrupt system startup | Use a branded UPS |
| No UPS or it fails to deliver proper power supply | Buzzing sound from the hard drive and BIOS fails to detect the HDD | Shutdown system when not in use |
7. Internal failure –
when read-write motors and head fail to perform, hard disk fails.
| Reasons | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Deprivation of hard drive moving parts | Clicking noise | Run the best antivirus tool for Windows |
| Spindle motor become non-functional | Peculiar sound when you boot the system | Keep system updated |
Signs of a Failing Hard Disk Drive
Before completely dying, the hard disk shows certain signs that shouldn’t be overlooked. Here are some of the common warning signs:
1. Clicking sound from hard drive
While using the system if you hear a peculiar clicking sound made by the hard drive’s head, don’t ignore it. This can occur due to varying power supply or physical damage on one of the plates.
2. Access Denied error
When accessing a disk or a partition if you encounter an access denied message, you need to check the connection or disk for errors. Because access denied messages show up when the system is unable to locate a partition or the complete disk.
3. Frequent crashes
If your system frequently crashes, then consider it as a warning sign of hard disk failure. This means without any warning the disk can stop working. In such a case taking backup of the data is a good idea. For this, we recommend using Right Backup – a multi-platform cloud backup solution using which you can take a backup of all your important data.
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4. Data inaccessibility
When data stored on disk becomes inaccessible or gets lost it is evident that the disk has some problems.
5. The system can’t load error
When booting the system if you see a recovery screen with a message system can’t load/locate certain files. Your hard disk is malfunctioning.
6. Unable to locate the OS
When continuous messages like Retry, Abort, Fail to occur on the system it is evident that the hard disk cannot locate OS and crucial files.
7. Sector not found
Where there are bad sectors on the hard disk and the system shows a warning message it means the hard disk is about to fail.
Ignoring these signs is not a good idea as you might end up losing all your data if the backup is not taken.
Okay, now we know the signs and reasons for hard disk failure. But if the drive has failed then? What should we do?
Tips to Prevent Data Loss from Fault Hard Drive :
- Avoid using the disk when you encounter any of the symptoms explained in the post.
- Detach the hard disk drive from the CPU and clean it
- Ensure there are no sports or mark on the external controller
- Confirm that all disk parts are intact nothing is broken
- Keep a regular data backup for this can use Right Backup that comes with AutoPilot function
- When using the system avoid keeping liquid nearby. Also, avoid the sudden drop of the system or the external hard disk.
If your hard disk has already crashed and you don’t even have a backup, worry not. There’s a way to retrieve your valuable data. To recover deleted files, follow the steps explained below:
How to retrieve lost data from a corrupt hard disk?
Since the disk is corrupt to recover data, we first need to ensure it is connected properly. Once it is connected check if you can see it under File Explorer. If not, you will have to remove the drive, reboot the system, and reconnect the drive. Now that the drive is accessible use Advanced Disk Recovery to recover data.
1. Download, install, and run Advanced Disk Recovery.
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2. Select the hard drive and then click the downward arrow to select the drive. In case you cannot find it there, click Partition and look for the drive
3. Select the scan type. We suggest using Deep Scan as it is more thorough and using it, you can recover a good number of lost data.
4. Wait for the process to finish
5. Select the files you wish to recover > Recover
Note: While retrieving the files make sure you do not save them on the same disk drive from which you are recovering data. Doing so will reduce the chances of data recovery. You can save data on an external disk
6. Once the process is done you will get a comprehensive report on the number of files restored.
That’s it, using these simple steps you can easily recover lost data or data from a corrupt hard disk. We hope you can get all the data using Advanced Disk Recovery. In case, you face any problem or have any questions please leave us the same in the comments section.
FAQs – How to Recover Data from Corrupt Disk
Q1. How do you fix a hard drive failure?
To fix a hard drive failure follow the steps below:
- Reboot the system
- Open BIOS > Boot tab > change the boot order
- Save settings and restart the system.
In addition to this, we suggest running the CHKDSK command or using the best PC optimizer tool like Advanced System Optimizer.
Q2. What causes hard disk failure?
Hard disk failure can be caused due to several reasons. The most common 7 reasons are:
- Human error
- Bad sector
- Corrupt software
- Power Surge
- Overheating
- Water damage
- Malware or faulty Firmware
Q3. What are the symptoms of hard disk failure?
- Frequent BSOD errors
- Hardware noise
- Bad sector message
- Overheating
- Unable to access the operating system
Q5. How likely is a hard drive failure?
Hard disk failure is imminent, they can occur anytime due to any reason. Also, the older the hard disk, the more are the chances of its failure.