There are no second thoughts that SSDs are way better than traditional HDDs in terms of durability, reliability, and energy efficiency. However, no storage technology is flawless. Even SSDs are susceptible to failures and breakdowns. In the article, we will break down the signs of a failing SSD and provide tips for troubleshooting. Knowing the symptoms of SSD failure will help protect your laptop from severe data loss. Unlike HDDs, SSDs are capable of showing failure symptoms.
HDDs contain fragile mechanical parts that could crash or fail even with minimal shock, overheating, and humidity. SSDs use semiconductor chips to carry out the process that can eliminate several causes of failures. SSDs offer faster bootup and application loading, making them a reliable storage option.
Signs of a failing SSD
Can SSDs fail? Yes. Unfortunately, it happens. However, we can detect when the SSD is failing through various signs. In this article, We will take a look at some of the signs of a failing SSD. Any of these indications is a clear sign of an SSD failure. These are the symptoms from which you can know that the SSD is failing.
- Can’t read or write files to or from SSD.
- Poor performance
- SSD becomes read-only
- Virus attacks or malware infections.
- The laptop won’t boot or crash.
- Repeated “black screen or death” or “blue screen of death.”
SSD becomes read-only
Read-only is one of the most uncommon problems in the SSD. If this issue happens, The SSD won’t allow you to perform other operations besides reading the files. This is the symptom of a failed or corrupted SSD. In this case, you can only recover the data from your SSD.
Connect the SSD to external hardware or another computer to recover your valuable data. Don’t try to boot the SSD. It may end up in losing the data. Use the computer’s main drive to boot and transfer the files safely.
Virus attacks or malware infections
SSDs are susceptible to virus attacks. Never open any links from email or other resources. Check the credibility of the link before opening it. If you face any lags, unwanted popups, screen freeze, and glitches, it can be a sign of a malware attack.
If you don’t have an antivirus or antimalware software, clean your computer. Install a firewall and ad blockers to stop popups from malicious websites. Avoid visiting unreliable websites and downloading files that could lead to virus attacks.
Crash during booting
The SSD is nearing its end if your laptop frequently crashes while booting and works fine after multiple restarts. It’s good to back up the data before you lose it. This could be due to bad blocks or many other reasons. If buying a new SSD is expensive, you can try diagnostic tools. If you have backed up your data, you can attempt formatting your drive and reinstalling the operating system.
Problems with software and file system
Have you ever seen the message “your PC needs to be repaired” on your windows or macOS on your screen? This might result from not shutting down your computer correctly or SSD creating bad blocks. A problem with the connection port might also be a possible reason. Fortunately, operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux have built-in tools to solve corrupt file systems. The tools will assist you with the instructions if the error is because of outdated drivers. It is good to back up the data before following the instructions, as you might lose some data.
Errors with bad blocks
Usually, SSDs have lower health issues than HDDs. However, SSDs can develop bad sectors like HDD. If your SSD has bad blocks, it can’t read or write files. The bad block can slow the SSD’s entire operations. Errors while moving files, applications freezing or crashing, and slow systems while accessing large files are signs of SSD with bad blocks.
So, how to fix and track SSD with bad blocks? If there are any physical damages, without a doubt, buy a new SSD. If there is logical damage, there are few chances of rectifying it. One of the easiest ways is to use a disk operating system. CHKDSK is a command that scans the SSD and marks the bad sectors. You can also fix the logical errors using disk error-checking tools through third-party software or windows. These are the two methods to test if an SSD is bad.
Four main tips to avoid SSD failure and increase its lifespan
If your SSD shows the above symptoms, it means the SSD is on the verge of failure. If the SSD faces the above problem and you have been using it for five years, it is better to replace the SSD. However, follow the below instructions to extend the life of the SSD.
- Make sure you use the original power adapters to charge the battery. Inferior quality adapters can cause power fluctuations and destroy the motherboard too.
- Don’t overload the SSD. Free up some space, so the performance doesn’t get affected.
- Avoid overheating. Use the laptop in a cooler environment. Overheating can damage the disk and other delicate electronics.
- Most of the newer laptops have hibernation mode. Disable hibernation mode to improve the lifespan of SSD since hibernation increases the number of writes to the internal storage.
