Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot
    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    June 6, 2025
    Unlocking Insights: Creative Ways to Collect Customer Data

    Unlocking Insights: Creative Ways to Collect Customer Data

    May 30, 2025
    What Successful Shops Do Differently

    What Successful Shops Do Differently

    May 30, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About
    • Contact
    • Career
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp
    Geeker Mag.
    • PC & Mobile
      1. Windows
      2. Browser
      3. Linux
      4. Office 365 & Web
      5. Hardware
      6. Mobile Apps
      7. View All
      Fix - Nvidia Driver 576.02 Black Screens & Other Issues (HOTFIX)

      Fix – Nvidia Driver 576.02 Black Screens & Other Issues (HOTFIX)

      April 22, 2025
      Windows 11 Update KB5055523 Unexpectedly Creates inetpub Folder

      Windows 11 Update KB5055523 Unexpectedly Creates inetpub Folder – Explained

      April 12, 2025
      Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account (24H2/25H2)

      Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account (24H2/25H2)

      April 2, 2025
      How to Restore the Old UI in Discord (Step-by-Step Guide)

      How to Restore the Old UI in Discord (Step-by-Step Guide)

      April 1, 2025
      How to Enable and Use the New Profile Manager in Firefox v138

      How to Enable and Use the New Profile Manager in Firefox v138

      April 30, 2025
      Microsoft Is Testing Copilot Integration in Edge’s New Tab Page — Here’s How to Try It

      Microsoft Is Testing Copilot Integration in Edge’s New Tab Page — Here’s How to Try It

      April 24, 2025
      How to Completely Disable Leo AI in Brave Browser (Step-by-Step Guide)

      How to Completely Disable Leo AI in Brave Browser (Step-by-Step Guide)

      April 8, 2025
      best browser for security

      9 The Best Browsers for Security and Privacy in 2025

      April 3, 2025
      Linux Security In-Depth: 5 Essential Steps You Need to Take

      Linux Security In-Depth: 5 Essential Steps You Need to Take

      May 17, 2023
      🎥 How to Create a Microsoft Account in 2025 – Watch the Step-by-Step Video

      How to Create a Microsoft Account in 2025 – Detailed Video

      May 5, 2025
      How to Delete Your Microsoft Account Permanently - 2018

      How to Delete Your Microsoft Account Permanently in 2025

      May 5, 2025
      How to Make Your Existing Microsoft Account Passwordless (Step-by-Step Guide)

      How to Make Your Existing Microsoft Account Passwordless (Step-by-Step Guide)

      May 3, 2025
      Your Subscription has been cancelled microsoft 365

      Microsoft 365 Subscription Cancelled Pop-up (Its a Bug)

      April 11, 2025
      Check for POPCNT CPU Instructions Before Installing NVIDIA Drivers to Avoid BSOD

      Check for POPCNT CPU Instructions Before Installing NVIDIA Drivers to Avoid BSOD

      August 5, 2024
      How to Check What Motherboard Do I Have in Windows 11/10

      How to Check What Motherboard Do I Have in Windows 11/10

      January 17, 2024
      8 Best SSDs for Laptops 2023 (256 GB to 2TB)

      8 Best NVMe M.2 SSD for Gaming Laptop 2023 (256 GB to 2TB)

      April 29, 2023
      best gaming graphics cards for pc

      Top 8 Graphics Cards for PC Gamers

      September 29, 2021
      Spotify AI Playlist feature.

      Is Spotify’s AI Playlist Missing or Not Showing? Here’s What You Need to Know

      April 24, 2024
      How to set Microsoft Copilot as default assistant on Android

      You can set Microsoft Copilot as Default Digital Assistance on Android

      March 5, 2024
      The Best 5 AI Photo Editing Apps of 2024

      5 Best AI Photo Editing Apps Android & iOS – 2024

      January 3, 2024
      How to View Wifi Password on Android Phone

      How to View Wifi Password on Android Phone

      October 12, 2023
      How to Fix iPhone Keyboard Lagging Issue After iOS 18 Update

      How to Fix iPhone Keyboard Lagging Issue After iOS 18 Update

      November 15, 2024
    • Internet
      1. Web Services
      2. Social Media
      3. Useful Sites
      4. G Suite
      5. View All
      How to Remove Background in Canva (Free & Pro Methods)

      How to Remove Background in Canva (Free & Pro Methods)

      April 30, 2025
      4k video downloaders failed to download youtube videos

      4K Video Downloader Failed to Download Videos (April 2025)

      April 26, 2025
      YouTube Videos Stuck at 144p? YouTube Confirms Issue

      YouTube Videos/Shorts Stuck at 144p? YouTube Confirms Issue

      March 20, 2025
      YouTube desktop new design.

      YouTube is testing a redesigned Watch Page for Desktop (Again)

      June 8, 2024
      How to Delete Instagram Account Permanently in 2023

      How to Delete Instagram Account Permanently in 2023

      October 23, 2023
      How to Create Stunning Visuals for Instagram in 2023

      How to Create Stunning Visuals for Instagram in 2023

      March 23, 2023
      How to Open Facebook app links in Chrome or Edge

      How to Open Facebook App Links in Android’s Chrome or Edge Browser

      March 8, 2022
      How to Add Music to Instagram Posts (Officially)

      How to Add Music to Your Instagram Posts (Officially)

      November 28, 2021
      5 Safe Sites to Download Rainmeter Skins in 2024

      5 Safe Sites to Download Rainmeter Skins in 2024

      January 18, 2024
      websites like thinkgeek 2019

      18 Best Websites like ThinkGeek (Alternatives ) 2024

      January 17, 2024
      best search engine for finding people online

      11 Best Free People Search Engines to Find a Person – 2024

      January 9, 2024
      best free movie streaming sites 2018

      18 Best Free Online Movie Streaming Sites 2024

      January 9, 2024
      Gmail's New "Manage Subscriptions" Feature: An Easy Way to Declutter Your Inbox

      Gmail’s New “Manage Subscriptions” Feature: An Easy Way to Declutter Your Inbox

      April 24, 2025
      help me write gmail

      How to Disable Gemini “Help Me Write” in Gmail

      January 21, 2025
      Google is sunsetting gmail

      Is Gmail Shutting Down in 2024? Truth Explained

      February 25, 2024
      Gmail @Mention Not Working - Fix 2023

      Gmail @Mention Not Working – Fix 2023

      October 6, 2023
      Vidnoz AI: Revolutionizing Video Creation with AI in 2024

      Vidnoz AI: Revolutionizing Video Creation with AI in 2024

      May 22, 2024
      How to Get Blooket Hacks in School Chromebook 2024

      How to Get Blooket Hacks in School Chromebook 2024

      January 17, 2024
      10 The Best Discord Servers to Join in 2023

      12 The Best Discord Servers to Join in 2024

      January 15, 2024
      How to Find Someone Online using their Picture

      How to Find Someone Online using their Picture

      April 5, 2023
    • Gadgets
      1. Earbuds
      2. Headphone
      3. Smartwatch
      4. Accessory
      5. View All
      TOZO Open EarRing Review: Lightweight Wireless Earbuds with Deep Bass & 40-Hour Battery

      TOZO Open EarRing Review: Lightweight Wireless Earbuds with Deep Bass & 40-Hour Battery

      October 31, 2024
      TOZO Tonal Fits T21 Wireless Earbuds Review: Big Sound, Big Battery, Budget Price

      TOZO Tonal Fits T21 Wireless Earbuds Review: Big Sound, Big Battery, Budget Price

      March 26, 2024
      TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds

      TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds, Lightweight, 45 hours battery, Wireless charging

      December 22, 2023
      TOZO T20 - True Wireless Earbuds with Wireless Charging Case

      TOZO T20 – True Wireless Earbuds with Wireless Charging Case

      October 24, 2023
      TOZO HA1 Headphones Bluetooth 5.4 and 70-Hour Battery for Under $80!

      TOZO HA1 Headphones Bluetooth 5.4 and 70-Hour Battery for Under $30

      September 10, 2024
      TOZO OpenEgo True Wireless Earbuds

      TOZO OpenEgo: True Wireless Earbuds with 30H Battery Life, Comfort Meets Hi-Fi Sound

      April 22, 2024
      Tozo HT2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

      Tozo HT2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones

      December 23, 2023
      TOZO S5 Smartwatch: Round Dial, Bluetooth Fitness Tracker, Calling Features

      TOZO S5 Smartwatch: Round Dial, Bluetooth Fitness Tracker, Calling Features

      August 9, 2024
      TOZO S3 - Smartwatch Bluetooth Calling & Fitness Tracking

      TOZO S5 Smartwatch: Round Dial, Bluetooth Fitness Tracker, Calling Features

      November 17, 2023
      Clicks Blackberry Style iPhone Keyboard Case

      Clicks Game-Changing Blackberry Style iPhone Keyboard Case

      January 7, 2024
      4 Most Elegant Microsoft Surface Duo Cases and Covers

      4 Most Elegant Microsoft Surface Duo Cases and Covers

      November 19, 2020
      Tozo W1 - Fast Charging Wireless Charger for Samsung | iPhone | AnyPhone

      Tozo W1 – Fast Charging Wireless Charger for Samsung | iPhone | AnyPhone

      July 12, 2023
      Tozo C2 - The Best USB-C 65W Fast Foldable Wall Charger 2023

      Tozo C2 – The Best USB-C 65W Fast Foldable Wall Charger 2023

      July 1, 2023
    • AI
      How AI Can Help Writers Be Better

      How AI Can Help Writers Be Better

      May 6, 2025
      How to Create Ghibli Images for Free ChatGPT (No Skills Needed!)

      How to Create Ghibli Images for Free ChatGPT (No Skills Needed!)

      April 5, 2025
      deepseek login problem

      Gmail Not Receiving DeepSeek Verification Code Fix – DeepSeek Login Problem

      January 31, 2025
      Copy of USE OLD COPILOT

      How to Use Old Version of Microsoft Copilot

      December 2, 2024

      How to Generate Unlimited AI Images for Free: With This Method

      November 26, 2024
    • Gaming
      How to Enable Voice Chat in Roblox (Full Guide for 2025)

      How to Enable Voice Chat in Roblox (Full Guide for 2025)

      May 6, 2025
      🎮 How to Fix Game Share Locked Issue on PS5 (Step-by-Step Guide)

      How to Fix Game Share Locked Issue on PS5 (Step-by-Step Guide)

      April 18, 2025
      How to Fix PS5 Randomly Turning Off While Playing Games – Quick & Easy Guide

      How to Fix PS5 Randomly Turning Off While Playing Games – Quick & Easy Guide

      April 17, 2025
      How to delete roblox account

      How to Delete Roblox Account in 2025 (Four Methods)

      April 12, 2025
      Assassin’s Creed Shadows Bug: NPC Does Not Die After Assassination

      Assassin’s Creed Shadows Bug: NPC Does Not Die After Assassination

      April 3, 2025
    • More
      1. Crypto
      2. Wallpaper
      3. View All
      6 Industries that Use Cryptocurrency for Safe and Fast Transactions

      6 Industries that Use Cryptocurrency for Safe and Fast Transactions

      October 24, 2023
      Download Microsoft 50th Anniversary Wallpapers

      Download Microsoft 50th Anniversary Wallpapers

      April 6, 2025
      Windows 11 AI-themed wallpapers

      Windows 11 New Wallpapers Leaked Online (Download in high-res)

      May 20, 2024
      22 Best Rainmeter Clock Skins

      22 Beautiful Rainmeter Clock Skins for Rejuvenating Your Desktop Look

      June 1, 2021
      Microsoft Design - Download Official Backgrounds Curated by Microsoft Design Team

      Microsoft Design – Download Official Backgrounds Curated by Microsoft Design Team

      September 17, 2020
    • DONATE!
    Geeker Mag.
    Home»Windows»Common signs of External Hard Drive Failure and its Solution
    Windows

    Common signs of External Hard Drive Failure and its Solution

    Viney DhimanBy Viney DhimanNovember 6, 2019Updated:January 8, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
    Common signs of External Hard Drive Failure and its Solution
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Storage drives, whether external or internal hard drives are important to store and access on a computer. It is very important to have these drives in good condition in order to access or store your important data. In spite of taking good care, there are scenarios when the internal and external hard drive might fail at any time.

    Common signs of External Hard Drive Failure and its Solution

    In this blog post, you will learn the common causes of an external drive failure and what are the possible solutions to fix them.

    Contents show
    Reasons for External Storage Drive Failure:
    Signs of external hard drive failure:
    Fix External Hard Drive Failure issue

    Reasons for External Storage Drive Failure:

    1. Faults in Firmware

    Firmware is a crucial software that is needed to run any hardware. Due to faults in the firmware while manufacturing or by a virus infection, the storage drive would not be able to function as it was intended. Any corruption in the firmware will cause a hard drive to fail on the computer.

    2. Heat

    One of the main causes of storage dive failures is heat. Using the external hard drive for a long duration in a hot working environment can produce a lot of heat on the computer. This heat can damage the components of the external hard disk, causing it to fail gradually.

    3. Physical Damage

    The data on any external hard drive is stored in sectors, any physical damage to these sectors would be difficult to access data, hence it is termed as bad sector. Along with bad sectors, ceased header movements or even physical damage to the circuit boards will hamper the functioning of drive, making it unusable.

    4. Power surge

    Power surges can cause rapid movement of the read-write head in the external or internal hard disk drive. This sudden movements can inflict damage to the hard drive causing bad sectors on the drive. The storage drive can fail at any time as the number of bad sectors on the drive increase.

    5. Corrupted File System

    The important file information also called metadata; such as file size, file location, and modified date are held by the registry called file system. If the file system is corrupted due to a bad sector or virus infections, the drive can fail at any time.

    Signs of external hard drive failure:

    1. Mysterious freezes

    The computer shows signs of slowing down, and the application freezes while it is running. These signs are indications that the storage drive could fail at any time.

    2. Data disappear from the Drive

    There can be situations where the files and folders on the drive could disappear on the drive, the cause for this could be the formation of a bad sector on the drive. Hence, it is a possible indication of a hard drive failure.

    3. Unable to read and write data

    When you try to access a file from the storage drive, the computer would not be able to read any data from a particular folder due to data corruption. Sometimes the file and folders can also go missing from the computer. Although you can recover deleted files from external hard drive after corruption, you have to repair the drive using inbuilt Windows tools in order to avoid data loss while the drive is in use.

    4. Unwanted Error Message

    The computer shows an error that reads: "You need to format the disk in the drive."

    This is an indication that the file system of the drive is corrupt, chances are that the drive might fail due to bad sectors.

    Fix External Hard Drive Failure issue

    If you are not able to access the drive, the computer provides a built-in utility to fix the drive. Connect the external hard disk to the computer and try the below-mentioned method to repair any bad sector in the drive and make the storage drive functional again.

    Using Start menu search bar, search ‘This PC‘ when the same result appears, click to open it.

    open external drive properties

    Next, locate the External hard drive. Right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.

    In the Properties windows, switch to the ‘Tool‘ tab and then click on the ‘Check‘ button available in the ‘Error-checking‘ section.

    scan and repair drive in windows 10

    A quick dialog box will open. Here, you need to click on the ‘Scan Drive‘ button to start the scanning process. After completion of the scanning process, any corruption in the drive would be fixed

    In case your drive shows signs of failure despite performing the above-mentioned troubleshooting step, then you need to start taking a backup of the storage drive before it fails completely. If you are not able to access the external hard drive the only way to recover deleted files from it is using a data recovery software.

    To recover data from the drive, connect the drive to a different computer, install the best hard drive recovery software on that computer and run the software for recovery.

    External Hard Drive
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleHow to Enable High Contrast Mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium (Low Contrast Theme)
    Next Article How to Delete Pagefile.sys in Windows 10 (Right Steps)
    Viney Dhiman
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn

    Viney Dhiman, the mind behind GeekerMag, is a seasoned content writer with over 12 years of experience. Specializing in simplifying complex tech concepts, he covers Windows OS, Android, iOS, web apps, and product reviews. His work can be found on popular tech websites like Gizmodo and The Verge, and he has been interviewed by the Microsoft Edge team.

    Related Posts

    Fix - Nvidia Driver 576.02 Black Screens & Other Issues (HOTFIX)
    Windows

    Fix – Nvidia Driver 576.02 Black Screens & Other Issues (HOTFIX)

    April 22, 2025
    Windows 11 Update KB5055523 Unexpectedly Creates inetpub Folder
    Windows

    Windows 11 Update KB5055523 Unexpectedly Creates inetpub Folder – Explained

    April 12, 2025
    Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account (24H2/25H2)
    Windows

    Install Windows 11 Without a Microsoft Account (24H2/25H2)

    April 2, 2025
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    Trending Posts
    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    June 6, 2025
    How AI Can Help Writers Be Better

    How AI Can Help Writers Be Better

    May 6, 2025
    How to Enable Voice Chat in Roblox (Full Guide for 2025)

    How to Enable Voice Chat in Roblox (Full Guide for 2025)

    May 6, 2025
    🎥 How to Create a Microsoft Account in 2025 – Watch the Step-by-Step Video

    How to Create a Microsoft Account in 2025 – Detailed Video

    May 5, 2025
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • TikTok
    • WhatsApp
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Most Popular
    Fix - Lenovo Camera Not Working in Windows 11/10 in (2024)

    Fix – Lenovo Camera Not Working in Windows 11/10 in (2024)

    January 10, 2024
    How to Disable Incognito Mode of Chrome in Windows 10 - 2020

    How to Turn Off and Disable Google Chrome Incognito Mode in Windows 11/10

    February 10, 2020
    Error Code: DLG_FLAGS_INVALID_CA (Explained | Resolved)

    Fix – Error Code: DLG_FLAGS_INVALID_CA in Windows 11/10 (Edge and other )

    January 10, 2024
    Our Picks
    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    Are You Making The Most Of Your Mac?

    June 6, 2025
    Unlocking Insights: Creative Ways to Collect Customer Data

    Unlocking Insights: Creative Ways to Collect Customer Data

    May 30, 2025
    What Successful Shops Do Differently

    What Successful Shops Do Differently

    May 30, 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram
    • Privacy Policy
    • TOC
    • Corrections Policy
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Fact Checking Policy
    © 2025 Geeker Mag. | Maintained by Viney Dhiman.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.