Causes, Symptoms & Fixes for Hard Disk Failure- Find Easy Steps to Recover Data

Written By Satyeshu Kumar
Approved By Rohit Arora
Updated on 10 Jul, 2024
Min Reading 7 Min
Share

Table of Content

Hard drives are important storage drives for data transfers and backup operations. However, due to corruption or system error, your hard drive may stop working or fail completely.

A hard drive failure can have different causes, including system corruption, file system errors, etc. Before failing, the hard disk may show different signs and symptoms that must be addressed promptly to prevent critical data loss. Users can fix a damaged or failed hard drive by identifying the reasons behind the problem and ensuring its timely repair and recovery.

Here, we discuss the major causes behind hard drive failure and its common indications. You will also learn how to recover data in such a scenario.

Major Reasons for Internal or External Hard Disk Failure

A hard drive failure occurs after bad sectors accumulate in the disk due to aging or a sudden crash. This may result in irrevocable damage to the disk platter surface, ultimately causing permanent data loss in most cases. If you have a backup of your drive, your data will be safe even if the drive fails. However, in case of backup unavailability, recovering data from a crashed or failed hard drive as soon as possible becomes essential.

Some of the major reasons for hard drive failure include:

Worst Reasons for Internal/ External Hard Disk Failure

1. Firmware Faults

Firmware bugs or physical damage to the disk platter can damage the firmware and lead to hard drive failure. The reasons behind firmware faults include improper power supply, virus attack, accidental shutdown, interruption during firmware upgrades, or manufacturing faults. You might observe the following symptoms, usually with a brand new hard disk:.

Symptoms:

Drive freezes at startup.
The system can’t detect or identify the hard disk at all.
The system fails to boot or hang up during the booting procedure.

Solution:

Users can contact the hard disk manufacturer and ask for Return Authorization (RA), but the disk needs to be under warranty. However, manufacturers generally don’t provide any guarantee regarding the safety of your data. For more information, please refer to the warranty-cum-guarantee policy provided by the manufacturer. Further, to recover your data in case of hard drive failure, we recommend using a professional data recovery tool.

2. Electronic Failure or Power Surge

A sudden spike or drop in the voltage provided to the hard drive can severely damage its components and even render it irreparable. This happens when you use an unreliable power source or there is a frequent interruption in the flow of electricity

Symptoms:

Sudden startup failure
System BIOS can’t detect the hard drive
The hard drive isn’t able to spin up.

Solution: Make sure that the system hardware is getting a proper power supply. You can fix this error by using UPS from a trusted brand. Also, turn off your system properly when not in use

3. Overheating

This error may occur due to a faulty CPU fan, improper ventilation, high-voltage power supply, high temperature, virus infection, or the development of bad sectors. These reasons can heat up the hard drive components, make its elements expand in size, and cause the head of the hard drive to come in contact with the disk platter. This leads to a head crash and a subsequent hard disk failure.

Symptoms:

Your system frequently reboots or freezes
Fans are either moving too slowly or not at all
Your system hardware is making clicking sounds or noise
Your system gets heated soon after starting

Solution:

Ensure that the CPU fans are working properly. Double-check that sufficient cooling is delivered to the processor and peripherals. You can also try applying thermal paste between the heat sinks of the CPU fan to make it run smoothly.

4. Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failure in your hard drive can be caused by moving parts, malware or virus attacks, bad sectors, improper power supply, and other reasons. These reasons could lead to hard drive failure or damaged and/or corrupted data.

Earlier, several rootkit viruses were introduced that used to become active with system boot-up. They used to corrupt the system’s functioning at the BIOS level. However, Windows’ latest versions (8/10/11) can now efficiently detect and remove such malware using UEFI technology.

Symptoms:

Total system freeze
Grinding or clicking sounds from the hard drive
Files & folders become invisible or corrupt
Appearance of black screen while booting

Solution:

You must update your system daily or weekly. Keep your antivirus software updated and scan your computer to analyze malicious activities or virus attacks. Replace your hard drive every 3 to 4 years.

5. Corrupted System Files

The use of malicious or faulty apps, accidental closure of running programs, unethical ways of shutting down the PC, power surges, etc., are reasons that lead to system file corruption and cause the hard disk to stop working or crash.

Symptoms:

The files become corrupt or damaged.
The hard drive is inaccessible.

Solution:

Always shut down your PC in the standard manner. This will prevent the command kernel from powering the remaining CPU equipment. Close all the running programs before shutting down the system to avoid installing faulty software or malicious applications. You can also fix your inaccessible hard drive to recover data.

6. Human Errors

Human errors are the most common cause of hard disk failure. These may include modifications in the system registry settings, installation of buggy OS, alteration in system file attributes, accidental deletion of files or directories, etc. Most of these errors are hard to repair.

Human errors might cause severe damage to the hard disk and lead to permanent data loss. Hence, proceed with the most efficient data recovery software to scan at an advanced level and recover data even from a damaged or failed hard drive.

Data Recovery from Corrupt or Failed Hard Drive –

Logical Reasons

If your hard drive has failed or crashed, and you don’t have a data backup, you could lose your important files and documents. Sometimes, you may feel that the hard drive has failed, but it has only become raw or inaccessible. This can happen due to some logical reasons like software bugs, virus attacks or malware, file or system corruption, accidental deletion or format, etc. You can follow the given methods below to find out the exact reason behind the hard drive corruption or failure and also recover lost data from the drive.

Method 1: Carefully Connect the Hard Drive

Sometimes, when we connect the hard drive to the system, it doesn’t appear in File Explorer. It might happen if the drive is loosely connected to the port. To fix this, reconnect the hard disk carefully. If this doesn’t help either, there might be an issue with the connecting port. Remove the drive, connect it to a different system, boot that PC, and check if the hard drive is showing up now in the File Explorer. If the hard drive still doesn’t appear in File Explorer, try the following method.

Method 2: Fix Unallocated Drive

If the hard disk doesn’t show up in File Explorer, but shows unallocated in Disk Management, follow the given steps to fix this error:

1. In the Disk Management window, right-click on Unallocated drive and select New Simple Volume.

2. In the New Simple Volume wizard, click Next.

3. Click Next again to specify the volume size.

4. Click Next and select ‘Assign the following drive letter.’ Choose a letter from the drop-down list, and click Next.

5. Select ‘Format this volume with the following settings’, select the desired file system, and click Next.

6. Click Finish and your hard drive is ready to use.

Now, check whether you can access the hard drive. If the drive becomes accessible, you will still be unable to access your data as the hard drive has been formatted while resolving its unallocated state.

You can recover your d ata from a formatted hard drive easily using a professional data recovery software.

Data Recovery from Corrupt or Failed Hard Drive –

Physical Reasons

A hard drive can also fail or crash due to mechanical or other physical reasons. In such a case, the drive is not visible in the Disk Management; hence, data recovery would not be possible.

You need a professional data recovery service provider to recover your data from a severely damaged, crashed, or dead hard drive.

Tips to Prevent Data Loss from Failed Hard Drive

Sometimes, the hard disk can crash or become dead without even making any grinding or screeching sounds. In such situations, you might even lose the chance of taking data backups on another device. Hence, follow the given tips to protect your data from permanent loss:

Stop using the drive when you encounter any of the symptoms mentioned in this post.
Unplug or remove the drive from the CPU, and keep it in a clean and safe environment.
Ensure no ‘hot spots’ or marks are on the external controller board.
You can also search and confirm that no drive parts are broken or damaged.
Take regular data backups, and keep a professional data recovery tool handy.
Take precautions while handling external drives and laptops to prevent damage due to sudden drops.

Conclusion

A hard drive can get easily corrupted or fail for various reasons. If you do not have data backups, you may lose important files, documents, etc. In this blog, we discussed the major reasons for hard drive failure, the signs and symptoms of disk failure, and solutions to recover lost data due to this. You may also find some useful tips to prevent data loss and hard disk failure. However, if the drive is already dead, take the help of a professional data recovery service provider to help you retrieve your data.

If case you have any queries, please write to us in the comment section below. Stay tuned for more relevant updates!

Was this article helpful?

YES0

About The Author

Satyeshu Kumar

Satyeshu is a Windows blogger and data recovery expert. He is having good technical knowledge and experience in Windows data recovery. He writes about latest technical tips, Windows issues and tutorials.

151 comments

Dr.Ravi Singh says:

March 6, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Hi, in last 2 years my 6 hard disk has been damaged. My system is Intel Pent Dual CPS @1.60 Ghz 2 GB RAM
I was using samsung hard disk initially after that i am using Western Digital., last month I purchased new WD 1 Tb hard disk but after 1 month it got error( bad sectors) which is not removable by WD software (write zero)
I am using Luminous Home UPS and my CPU is on my table, (no jerking),
wt is probable cause and solution, someone suggested to change my mother board as there may be problm of Power Surge?

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  March 8, 2013 at 10:49 am
  
  There is a long list of causes that could make your hard drive failed or dead, including both logical and mechanical. I’d always recommend to take the following precautions to make your hard drive life longer:
  
  1. Make sure that GPU is functioning properly and doesn’t causing any power outage to hard drive.
  2. Choose hard drive from trusted supplier.
  3. Check and make sure that the hard drive configuration is perfectly suitable for currently configured CPU. Choosing old hard drive from your new build PC or vice versa may conflict the normal operation of any CPU and will make your hard drive fail suddenly.
  4. Frequently check for internal temperature to make sure that everything is OK and internal equipments are cooled with proper fan supply.
  
  For the time being, I’d recommend you to update all your system equipments like MOBO, RAM, GPU supply to the latest.
  
  Hope it helps!!!!
  
  Reply
Bheki says:

March 3, 2013 at 7:39 pm

Hi Team
I just bought a new hdd to replace my hp 530 hdd i have been using because i was running out of space with that one.so i installed the new hard drive and got this message :non sysyem disk error replace and press any key when ready.windows could not be installed and i tried running the hdd self test and got the hdd failure error.what should i do in this case
Thanx in advance

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  March 8, 2013 at 10:45 am
  
  Replace the bad or failing hard drive. As its brand new and might still in warranty, you can ask for replacement from manufacturer.
  
  The error mentioned above usually occurs when system were unable to locate boot files. Sometimes, any non booting device such as empty flash drive or floppy drive would also cause this. So, I’d also recommend you to remove any such drive first and then start the system.
  
  Hope it helps
  
  Reply
yesuraj says:

February 19, 2013 at 12:27 pm

i have HP laptop,my hard disk failure problem caused 3 months ago and i replaced that failure hard disk.now again my hard disk got failure.can u please tell me why this failure occur frequently.

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  March 6, 2013 at 7:05 am
  
  You should start with connecting your drive to another working computer and see if that hard drive is functioning there. If the drive works pretty well on the other machine, then your computer itself is the issue and you need to check for the issue like Windows problem, power cables, fan etc.
  
  Starts with checking power supply and make sure that it’s not the issue. Power supply could fry internal equipment’s of your laptop and make them unable to run longer.
  
  As you’re using laptop, there is very high probability of shaking which might damage the proper functioning. Always prefer to use your laptop in cool environment and flat space where you could put your laptop safely.
  
  Last but not least, check for faulty mobo or bad supplier. Always purchase products from the trusted supplier.
  
  Hope it helps.
  
  Reply
Mayank says:

February 19, 2013 at 7:14 am

Hi, I was using WD HDD.Suddenly,it shows me “3rd MASTER HARD DISK ERROR”. I tried alot and many says its a mechanical failure.
Is there anyway to get my data back because mostly say no to me and others requires hefty amount of money?..n second..how this failure is happened to me?..actually it occurs second time to me..earlier had a problem of no detection at the time of booting and later shows me this error..i do all defragments..and all other things..i have ups also..thats why,i really cant figure out why it happened to me again?
thanx in advance:)

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  March 6, 2013 at 7:06 am
  
  First of all, its not a mechanical failure and could be easily resolved by setting the boot priority where hard drive should be at the top. Also make sure that, there is no external media i.e. USB, Flash Drive, ext. hard drive etc. connected to your computer while booting the system as well as check and make sure that the CD-ROM has no CD’s or DVD’s.
  
  This problem mainly occurs because of wrong boot priority as after the POST screen, system tries to find the booting device which is your hard drive and its wrong priority make the system unbootable or the error message like the one you’ve mentioned above.
  
  Good Luck!!
  
  Reply
sunil says:

February 13, 2013 at 10:39 am

I had my sony viao since three year.In these years laptop work fine ,but yesterday I got a Smart utility notification, that harddisk is in critical condition,plz take the backup of ur system,and harddisk may be fail replace it.I want to ask that three year for s harddisk life is gud or average & I am using HDD-Regeneration tool repair for bad sector So this tool can rectify the error.plz reply

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  March 6, 2013 at 7:06 am
  
  This indicates a problem with your hard drive (mechanical) and advises to take backup immediately as well as replace it with any new drive. Failing to do so, might damage all your stored data.
  
  Hard drive is an electronic equipment’s and no one could have clear idea about when it can fail or become inaccessible. As you said, you’ve purchased 3 years ago, I strongly suspect that hard drive has developed some aging equipment’s i.e. bad sectors and blocks, failing head assembly, spindle motor etc. and could fail anytime. Therefore, take backup ASAP and replace it with any new hard drive from trusted supplier.
  
  Good Luck!!
  
  Reply
NEHA says:

January 11, 2013 at 4:09 pm

Hi, I bought a lenovo laptop 14 months ago. Now the problem ” Windows detected a hard disk problem” is coming. So, tell me what should I do?

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  February 8, 2013 at 5:31 am
  
  “Hello Neha and welcome to Stellar Blog.
  
  This indicate problems with your hard drive and requires replacement before its too late. What happened actually is, your hard drive is failing mechanically and/or its internal equipment like platter, read/write head or the PCB board is started wearing out (sorry for bit technical).
  
  So, you’re advised to take backup or copy/move data from it right now. Just remove the hard drive and plug it back to another computer, download the professional recovery software to create clone/image of the entire drive and later then recover data from it. Get it from here
  
  Good Luck!!!
  “
  
  Reply
savi says:

December 24, 2012 at 4:24 am

I have a problem with my laptop that I bought about 20 months ago. It’s a Hp

The problem is that when I turn the power button on, Windows does not start up but I could hear the fan working, the power led lights up, and the DVD ROM also works. There is a small led light on the Caps Lock key that is blinking as well, but the small led light on the left side panel that usually lights up when the computer is on or starts up is not working at all. Nothing shows up on the screen, logo is displayed.

Could you please help me figure out what the problem really is, and the possible solutions to fix it?

Thank you very much.

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  February 8, 2013 at 5:30 am
  
  “Dear Savi,
  Most probably, the problem is with your Windows as it might get damaged or corrupted. You could start repairing your system using system recovery options (Press and hold key after starting the system) and see if it lets you access the computer.
  
  If the first attempt fails, you can try advanced startup options like safe mode, Last known good configuration, safe mode with command prompt etc.
  If all above fails, you need to remove the hard drive and connect it externally to another system and backup all your data. This is to ensure that you never lose your data. After then, install a fresh copy of Windows to completely fix the issue and remove virus/malware, if any.
  
  Reply back if you need any further guidance.
  
  Cheers.”
  
  Reply
Abhay Jeet Mishra says:

December 18, 2012 at 4:17 am

Dear Edgar,

The condition you stated above is because of a SMART HDD virus and your hard disk is just fine. Though, using it further might permanently deletes or damages your hard drive data.

Please format the hard disk immediately so you could access your hard disk.

However, you are still able to recover your data using efficient recovery software, go through the link mentioned below and try it. Read More

This requires simple steps to follow and soon you will able to see your formatted data.

Hope it helps!!

Reply
Edgar Palapar says:

October 23, 2012 at 1:17 am

Hi, I have a Sony laptop which is more than 1 year old. The hard drive diganostic report says that my computer is in critical state (hard disk error detected). When i checked my files I found out that some files & folders are missing. Example: if i click on one folder you can see it is empty, but if you check the properties of said folder, you can see that there are 28 files and 2 folders. Please advise:
1) how can i recover my lost files & folders?
2) how can i solve the hard disk error?
3) what is the cause of hard disk error, is it a virus attack?
Appreciate your help.

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  May 21, 2024 at 11:46 am
  
  Hi,
  1. To recover your lost files and folders, you can use Stellar Professional data recovery software. This tools can scan your hard drive for recoverable data.
  2. To address the hard disk error, first back up any important data immediately to avoid further loss. Then, you can try using built-in tools like Windows Check Disk (chkdsk) to identify and fix errors. If the problem persists, it might be necessary to replace the hard drive.
  3. Hard disk errors can be caused by physical damage, wear and tear, or logical issues, and while a virus attack is possible, it is less common. Regular backups and using reliable antivirus software can help prevent data loss and maintain drive health.
  
  Reply
PRIYANKA says:

September 11, 2012 at 12:21 pm

SIR,
I HAVE HP PC IN THAT I SUFFER THE PROBLEM OF HARD DISK FAILURE IN A 6 MONTHS. CAN YOU TELL ME RIGHT REASON WHY THIS HAPPEN WITH ME.

Reply
1. Creative Team says:
  
  September 19, 2012 at 9:39 am
  
  Hi Priyanka,
  
  There is lots of reasons why your hard drive fails. It might be a logical error in the drive or physical error.
  
  As you said you are facing this issue from last 6 months so its very much possible that your hard drive got damaged and needs replacement.
  
  If you are avail to run your system try Windows Data Recovery professional version on to the system and recover your data before hard drive replacement.
  
  Thanks
  
  Reply
2. Zack says:
  
  September 29, 2012 at 8:55 pm
  
  First you must make sure that your comtpuer does not come with a start up disk. Sometimes your comtpuer will allow you to back up all of your files on DVD’s, that is recommended in case your comtpuer is so far gone and cannot reboot back to normal running order. You will need to make sure you have backed up all of your pictures and important files. This formatting procedure will delete everything you have. It takes your comtpuer back to normal as if it was brand new. System Restore helps you restore your comtpuer’s system files to an earlier point in time. It’s a way to undo system changes to your comtpuer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.
  
  Reply