It’s terrible when your computer suddenly stops working, and you realize that your hard drive is spinning but not reading anything. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to try to fix the issue before panic sets in.
This blog post will walk you through the must-do steps when your hard drive spins then stops. Keep calm and follow these tips!
Identifying the Problem of Hard Drive Spins and Stops
If your computer’s hard drive is causing strange noises, it may be a sign of a serious problem. These sounds indicate that the drive is starting to fail and must be replaced. One common noise is repetitive clicking, which a head crash can cause.
It happens when the read write head of the drive makes contact with the spinning disk, typically caused by an abrupt shock or disturbance. A head crash can damage the disk platters and render the data on the drive unreadable.
Another potentially dangerous noise is a grinding or whining sound, indicating that the drive’s bearings are failing. This issue can cause the spindle motor to seize if left unchecked, resulting in complete data loss.
If you hear strange noises coming from your hard drive, it’s important to back up your data immediately and take the drive to a qualified technician for further diagnosis.
Causes for Hard Drive Spins and Stops
Excessive Heat
Excessive heat is a leading factor in the failure of hard drives. If hard drives exceed their recommended temperature range, they may experience malfunctions. A hard drive can get too hot in a few different ways.
Insufficient ventilation in the computer case may lead to the accumulation of heat generated by the components, ultimately resulting in hard drive failure.
Additionally, if a hard drive is exposed to a strong magnetic field, it can damage and stop working. Furthermore, the exposure of a hard drive to a powerful magnetic field can lead to its malfunction and failure.
Physical Damage
Another common cause of hard drive failure is physical damage. Hard drives are delicate devices, and if they are dropped or physically damaged, they can stop working. Additionally, if a hard drive is exposed to a strong magnetic field, it can damage and stop working.
Corrupted Firmware
The failure of a hard drive can be caused by corrupted firmware, which is responsible for controlling the software. Firmware can become corrupted in several ways. One way is if the power to the hard drive is interrupted while it is writing data.
Another way is if there is a virus on the computer that corrupts the firmware. The firmware can become corrupted due to a faulty hard drive.
Bad Sectors
Bad sectors are areas on the hard drive that are no longer able to store data correctly. When data is written to a bad sector, it can become corrupted and unreadable. Bad sectors can be caused by physical damage to the hard drive or excessive heat.
Once a bad sector forms, it cannot be repaired, and the data stored on it will be lost forever.
Failed Read/Write Heads
The read/write heads are responsible for reading and writing data to the disk platters inside a hard drive. The hard drive may suffer data loss if the heads malfunction and become unable to read or write data accurately.
Read/write head failures are typically caused by physical damage or by exposure to excessive heat.
Disk Platter Damage
The disk platters inside a hard drive are where all the data is stored. Damage to these platters can impede the hard drive’s ability to accurately read and write data, ultimately resulting in potential loss of data.
Steps to fix Hard Drive Spins then Stops
Back up your data
Backing up your data is the initial step. If your hard drive fails, you will lose all your data, making it crucial to prioritize its maintenance. There are many ways to back up your data, such as using an external hard drive or cloud storage.
Test your hard drive
Testing your hard drive is crucial if you suspect it is malfunctioning. There are many ways to test a hard drive, but one of the most common is to use a tool called “chkdsk.” This tool will scan your hard drive for errors and attempt to fix them.
Run a virus scan
Chkdsk, a tool that scans for errors and attempts to fix them, is a widely used technique for testing hard drives. Numerous antivirus programs are accessible, including both free and paid options. It’s crucial to select an antivirus software that is well-known and highly regarded by users.
Defragment your hard drive
Inefficient storage of files on your hard drive is caused by fragmentation. It can cause your hard drive to work harder than necessary, eventually leading to failure.
To defragment your hard drive, you can use a built-in tool called “Disk Defragmenter” or a third-party defragmentation program.
Check for bad sectors
Bad sectors are areas of your hard drive that are damaged and cannot be used. If your hard drive has bad sectors, it will likely fail soon. You can use a tool called “chkdsk” to check for bad sectors. This tool will scan your hard drive for errors and attempt to fix them.
Troubleshooting Steps
Check the power supply
Checking the power supply is the initial step.The malfunctioning power supply may be the reason behind the hard drive’s spinning and stopping. To verify the power supply, either connect it to a distinct socket or use a multimeter to test it.
Check the data cable
The next step is to check the data cable. The data cable is what connects the hard drive to the computer. If the data cable is loose or damaged, it could be causing the hard drive to spin and stop. To verify the data cable, disconnect it from the hard drive and reconnect it.
Check the BIOS settings
Checking the BIOS settings is the subsequent action. The BIOS is software that controls how the computer starts up. If the BIOS settings are incorrect, it could be causing the hard drive to spin and stop.
You can check the BIOS settings by entering the BIOS setup utility and looking for any options that are related to hard drives.
Run a virus scan
The next step is to run a virus scan. A virus can cause the hard drive to spin and stop. You can run a virus scan by downloading and running an anti-virus program.
Reformat the hard drive
The last step is to reformat the hard drive. Reformatting will erase all of the hard drive’s data, so ensure that you have backed up all of your important files before doing this. You can reformat the hard drive by using a disk partitioning tool.
Why does my hard drive spin and then stop?
Hard drives are spinning disks that store data on their surface. The disk must first be spun up to speed to read or write data. Once the disk is spinning, a read/write head can access the data. However, if the disk is left spinning without any activity, it will eventually stop due to friction.
As a result, most hard drives are designed to spin down when they’re not being used, conserving energy and extending the drive’s life.
Why does my hard drive keep stopping?
There are a few reasons why your hard drive might keep stopping. It is possible that the drive is overloaded and requires replacement. A potential cause could be inadequate power supply to the drive, resulting from defective wiring or a connection that is not secure.
Finally, there might be a problem with the data on the drive itself, which can be fixed by reformatting the drive or running a data recovery tool. If unsure of what’s causing the problem, it’s best to take your hard drive to a computer repair shop for diagnosis.
What are the signs of an HDD failing?
Some warning signs can indicate an HDD is failing. One of the most common signs is frequent crashing or freezing. It can be caused by bad sectors on the disk, which prevent the data from being read correctly.
Another common symptom is slow performance, as the hard drive has to work harder to access the data. There are instances where files can be corrupted or inaccessible.
How long does a spinning hard drive last?
Hard drives typically last for around five years on average, although there are those that may endure beyond this period and others that may malfunction earlier.
The lifespan of a hard drive is influenced by various factors such as the surroundings, frequency of usage, and the caliber of the constituents.
However, with proper care and maintenance, it is possible to extend a hard drive’s life significantly. In case of a drive failure, data can be safeguarded by implementing regular backups. In addition, avoiding extreme temperatures and vibrations can help to prolong the life of a hard drive.
