When operating normally, hard drives make no sound. However, a hard drive can suddenly make unusual noises that will catch your attention. Clicking noise coming from your hard disk drive does not mean anything good. It is one of the most significant indicators that something is wrong with your data storage device.
Before doing anything with your media, it is essential to understand what caused a distinctive sound from a device. Therefore, first, you need to identify the root cause of the situation and take appropriate action.
Why is My Hard Drive Making a Clicking Noise?
There are a variety of reasons why your hard drive may be making clicking sounds. This can be an alarming issue, as it often indicates that something is wrong with the hard drive and may lead to data loss.
However, in some cases, the clicking sound may not necessarily mean that your hard drive is failing. In a typical hard drive, the disk head operates smoothly.
However, if a fault occurs, its movement can become erratic, causing the controller to return to the home position repeatedly. This repetitive motion results in a clicking sound.
When faced with the unsettling clicking noise from your hard drive, it’s natural to seek immediate answers. Below, we outline some potential problems associated with your hard drive’s clicking noise.
Why Does Hard Drive Make Clicking Noise?
Physical Damage
If the hard drive was dropped, exposed to magnetic influence, or knocked, it could be damaged. Replacing a device with a new one will be a good solution, but extracting data from it should be your first step.
Service Area Problems
The service area stores critical data, which helps with HDD operation. If the module reading error occurs, then an actuator arm will go through the disk looking for the required files, making a clicking noise.
Misaligned Read/Write Heads
Hard disk drive requires specific care. But when treating it wrong, the read-write heads or spindle arms can misalign. Thus, an actuator arm cannot complete a smooth motion, causing a clicking sound.
Wear and Tear
Like any other device, a hard drive is prone to failure due to natural wear and tear. A hard disk drive's average lifecycle is three to five years. When exceeding this period, a hard drive will probably fail.
Power Failure
Power failure can be a cause for many issues, including click of death on the hard drive. Power surge often results in files' inaccessibility, so when it occurs, all the data can be lost in a moment.
Manufacturer's Defect
A defect in your device should also be considered a cause for a clicking noise. Sometimes, clicking can be heard suddenly from a relatively new and properly functioning hard disk drive.
What to Do When Hearing Clicking from a Hard Drive?
Many users react differently when their hard disk drive fails. Some power down the device and contact a reputable recovery company, while others try to solve the problem themselves.
You can find data recovery software on the Internet, but using it on your device is risky. A recovery program may handle a logical data loss, but if the files are inaccessible due to physical damage, it will not solve the problem. Many repair tutorials may advise putting your hard drive in a freezer or replacing broken components yourself.
Nevertheless, working on your device in unspecialized facilities or placing it in a freezer will not help.
Restoring data from a clicking hard drive is a complicated process that requires an individual approach, specialized tools, and cutting-edge facilities. Therefore, it is beneficial for your media to entrust your device to a data recovery company with years of experience.
Entrust Your Clicking Hard Drive to Us
PITS Global Data Recovery Services is a verified and certified company that offers reliable solutions for clicking hard drive restoration. Our engineers have experience working with damaged internal and external hard drives, achieving maximum results. We support all the requirements to maintain our 99% success rate.
By working on your device in a controlled environment, we ensure that no damage is done. PITS Global Data Recovery Services provides its clients with a positive experience and maximum results. Our specialists will successfully restore data from a clicking hard disk drive, regardless of the reason. Start your case with our data recovery experts today by filling in the form below or calling us at (888) 611-0737.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my hard drive clicking?
The clicking noise from a hard drive can be attributed to a few critical issues. First, it may indicate a mechanical failure within the hard drive itself, such as the disk head crashing into the disk platter. Second, an insufficient power supply to the hard drive can cause it to function improperly and make clicking sounds. Third, external factors like physical damage or overheating can also lead to this troubling noise.
Does HDD-clicking sound normal?
No, HDD-clicking sounds are not normal and often suggest a potential malfunction. Addressing this issue is essential to avoid the risk of data loss or drive failure.
What is the Click of Death hard drive?
The “Click of Death” refers to a notorious symptom of imminent hard drive failure, characterized by a repetitive clicking sound made by the driver. This sound indicates a severe malfunction of the drive’s read/write heads, which fail to align with the data tracks on the platters properly. When a hard drive experiences this symptom, it’s critical to back up data immediately and consider replacing the drive to avoid data loss.
Why does my Seagate make a clicking sound?
Seagate hard drives may produce a clicking sound for reasons similar to other brands: mechanical failure, inadequate power supply, or external damage. Mechanical failure can include issues with the drive’s read/write heads or the spindle motor, leading to operational disruptions. It’s crucial to back up data and seek professional assistance when a Seagate drive begins clicking to prevent potential data loss.
Can you fix a noisy hard drive?
It’s possible to fix a noisy hard drive, depending on the cause of the noise. If the clicking sound is due to mechanical failure or internal damage, it may require professional data recovery services or even replacement of the hard drive. In some cases, however, the noise may be caused by external factors, such as dust or debris on the disk head, which can be cleaned.