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Hard drives are more prone to failure than SSDs. Various factors, such as physical damage to components or unexpected power surges, can lead to their malfunction. We’ll explore the causes of hard drive failure in detail and discuss preventive measures you can employ to protect them and the valuable data they store.
1Mechanical and Electronic Wear and Tear
Mechanical failure is the most common reason for hard drive failure. The spindle motor, which spins the platter throughout the drive’s lifespan, can wear out over time and malfunction. The read/write heads can come into contact with the platters, causing a head crash and damaging the platter.
Likewise, manufacturing defects in the drive’s components, such as imperfections in the platters, flaws in the read/write heads, or issues with the spindle motor, can also lead to premature failure of the components and, subsequently, the hard drive. The mechanical wear and tear is gradual, so you often won’t know there’s an issue until the failure occurs.
While you can’t do much about inherent manufacturing defects or the natural wear and tear over time, you can mitigate risks by choosing a reputable brand known for producing durable hard drives that can withstand wear and tear for longer periods. This can help your drive last longer and reduce the chances of unexpected failure.
On the electronics side, the natural degradation of electronic components, such as capacitors, transistors, and resistors, over time, can also lead to hard drive failure. For example, capacitors can dry out and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can cause circuit failure and potentially lead to permanent hard drive failure.
Similar to mechanical components, manufacturing defects like faulty solder joints, substandard components, or issues with the drive’s printed circuit board (PCB) can also cause premature electronic failure. While you can’t completely prevent electrical wear and tear or avoid all manufacturing defects, you can mitigate these risks by purchasing hard drives from reputable manufacturers.
2Mishandling and Vibration Exposure
Mishandling the hard drive is another common cause of failure. Dropping your hard drive or laptop can break components and cause misalignment of parts within the hard drive. Hard drives are sensitive to shock, so exposure to vibrations or excessive movement can misalign the read/write heads and cause mechanical stress in the platters, leading to failure.
Unlike manufacturing defects or natural wear and tear, you can mitigate the risk of hard drive failure by operating your laptop in stable environments free from vibrations. By handling your computer carefully and avoiding accidental drops, you can protect it from misalignment caused by impact.
3Power Surges
A common cause ofelectronic failure is power surges—sudden increases in voltage that can occur due to lightning strikes or issues with the electrical grid. These spikes in voltages can damage the power supply unit inside your computer, potentially leading to permanent failure of other PC components, including the hard drive.
Use surge protectors to prevent hard drive damage from power surges. When the voltage rises above the acceptable level, a surge protector suppresses the excess voltage by either absorbing it or diverting it to the ground, safeguarding your electronic components from electronic failure.
4Faulty Power Supply Unit
Even if you have a surge protector installed, a faulty power supply unit (PSU) can still cause hard drive failure by providing inconsistent or high voltages.Signs of a faulty PSUinclude random system crashes, frequent reboots, and erratic drive behavior. Therefore, it’s important to monitor these and other signs closely.
If you notice any of them,immediately test the PSU. If it’s faulty, replace it to protect your drive and other PC components from potential failure.
5Static Electricity
Another common, yet often overlooked, cause of hard drive failure is exposure tostatic electricity. If you handle the hard drive during repair without taking the necessary anti-static precautions, the static charge developed on your body—due to factors such as walking barefoot on a carpet or wearing synthetic clothing—can discharge and damage the drive’s circuits.
To prevent this, always wear an anti-static bracelet when handling your hard drive. An anti-static bracelet, which costs less than $20, can save you from significant repair or replacement costs.
6High Temperature
Operating a laptop or external hard drive in high-temperature conditions can lead to overheating, which can seriously damage heat-sensitive components inside the drive and result in hard drive failure. Besides high ambient temperatures, there are many other causes of overheating.
The hard drive might be installed in a congested space without enough airflow to dissipate heat. Continuous read/write operations and heavy data processing can also increase the drive’s temperature. Also, your computer’s cooling system might not work efficiently due to faulty fans, dust and debris in the exhaust vents, and other issues.
Toprevent overheating, operate your laptop in a well-ventilated area and keep the operating temperature within safe limits. If you have an external hard drive, ensure it is stored in a place where it won’t be affected by rising temperatures as the weather changes. Also, avoid placing it close to any gadgets that generate heat.
7High Humidity
Likewise, living in coastal areas or regions with high humidity levels can impact the reliability and longevity of your hard drives.
High moisture in the air can condense on the drive’s printed circuit board and other electronic parts, leading to corrosion and potential short circuits. Condensation may also occur when you power up your computer, as the heat produced can cause moisture to form into water droplets, further risking damage.
Variations in humidity levels can also increase the risk of static electricity. To prevent these issues, maintain proper climate control,consider using dehumidifiersin the room where your computer or laptop is placed, and avoid storing external hard drives in areas prone to high humidity. These precautions will help protect your drive from moisture-related damage.
Regular care will prevent you from losing the critical data stored on your previous hard drive. While the above are among the typical reasons for hard drive failures, you should be aware of lesser-known causes like excessive fragmentation, firmware corruption, and more. Take proactive steps toprotect your hard drive from damage and make it last longer.
