Is my SSD dead?
SSD have become very popular among PC users due to their impeccable advantage over HDDs. But just like HDD, solid-state drives (SSD) can fail, and your data/files saved on the drive could go missing. But notwithstanding, you can recover files from problematic SSD using Partition Recovery.
Is your SSD dead? Well, maybe it is. When your SSD starts showing certain signs, it could imply that the drive is about to fail. So, it is important that you know SSD failure signs, which will make you act fast when the drive starts to fail, to keep your files safe.
How to Know if Your SSD is Dead?
SSD are practically more advanced than HDD; they feature no mechanical parts that may make noise when the drive is dead, which is unlike HDD.
One of the quickest ways to know whether an SSD is dead is to remove the drive from your computer and connect it to another computer; if the (other) computer could read the drive, it is not dead yet, but if not, chances are that the SSD is dead already.
You may connect the same SSD to other computers to ascertain whether it is dead or not and to also know if the issue is from your computer system and not the drive.
How Long do SSD Generally Last?
There is no specific lifespan for SSD devices; just like every other storage device or drive, the longevity of an SSD depends on how and where it is used. But then, naturally, SSD are expected to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years; of course, SSD can last longer than 15 years if used and maintained properly. Common practices that can shorten SSD lifespan include overheating, physical damage, and virus attacks.
Signs of a Dead Solid-State Drive
When you start noticing any of these signs explained below, it implies that you should back up the files and data on your primary SSD because the drive may fail sooner than you expect. Emphasis is made on signs of a failing SSD because it becomes a bit more difficult to attempt data recovery from a failed or dead SSD. Hereunder are the signs to watch out for:
- The computer freezes intermittently while you're accessing files on the SSD
- The computer restarts on its own frequently once the drive is connected (if it is not the primary storage)
- Your computer is unable to boot because the OS files stored on the SSD drive cannot be accessed by the system
- Your computer suddenly stops recognizing the SSD when you connect it as an external device.
On macOS
Mac come with a built-in utility that helps the owners monitor their SSD performance. This built-in macOS SSD monitoring utility is called the SMART tool (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) – it provides details on the primary SSD storage on your mac, so you can easily know when it's starting to fail. Actually, what the SMART tool does is to monitor your SSD's health status in real time.
On Windows Computers
Unlike Mac, Windows computers do not have a built-in tool that monitors SSD health and report it in real time. However, there are third-party Windows OS software applications that can help with such functions. Notwithstanding, the easy ways to spot a failing SSD on a Windows computer are the methods explained earlier, which include the PC not being able to boot because the OS files on the SSD cannot be read.
How to Test if SSD is Dead?
A completely dead SSD will make data recovery almost impossible because it cannot be recognized by any computer system it is connected to. SSD are highly technical; you have to be fast in action to be able to recover lost files from them whenever you're faced with an SSD data loss scenario.
To test if an SSD is dead, remove it from the computer or Mac it serves as the primary storage, then connect it as an external drive on another computer. If the system recognizes it as an external drive, try saving a new file or copying out a file from the SSD and see if the process will run completely. If the process is completed, the drive is not completely dead but may not be able to serve as a primary drive with OS installed.
In this case, you will have to install a data recovery software and backup/recover your files from the failing SSD, then format the drive to use it as an external drive. In contrast, if the SSD doesn't allow for read/write even as an external drive, it implies that the drive is completely dead.
What can Cause your SSD to Fail?
An SSD may fail due to quite many reasons, but hereunder are the most common ones that are relatable.
- 1. Physical Damage: if the drive falls to the ground and sustains physical scratches, which could lead to its failure and subsequently cause the drive to die.
- 2. Overheating: Excessive heat can cause any storage drive to fail. You should ensure that your PC doesn't always overheat; if possible, get a laptop stand so you would stop placing the laptop directly on top of the bed, table, or cushion.
- 3. Firmware Issues: It is important to regularly update your SSD's drivers and firmware; you could set them on automatic updates so you don't have to do that manually. Firmware issues are among the leading causes of SSD failure.
- 4. Components Failure: Apparently, if any of the components that make up your SSD fails, the drive itself would follow suit. An SSD device comprises a number of components that could be affected by power surges or short circuits.
Can you Revive a Failed/Dead SSD?
Well, it all depends on various factors, such as the cause of the SSD failure, the state of the TRIM command, and the type of recovery method used. Some computers can still read a dead SSD but as an external drive. As long as the SSD is not physically damaged, it can be revived as an external drive, but nothing can be done if it is physically damaged.
Can you Retrieve Data From a Dead/Failed SSD?
SSD data recovery software apps can be used to attempt the recovery on a dead SSD device. DiskInternals Partition Recovery is a professional software tool capable of reading problematic HDD and SSD and helping you to recover data from such drives. It works on all Windows computers and supports all known file system formats for Linux, Mac, and Windows.
DiskInternals Partition Recovery works to recover lost files irrespective of the data loss scenario, and it is very fast. The interface is intuitive, and it features a built-in Recovery Wizard that guides the user throughout the recovery process. This data recovery software works for retrieving data from internal and external SSDs or HDDs. Here's a guide to using Partition Recovery.
- Step One: Download and install DiskInternals Partition Recovery on your Windows PC. Connect the SSD drive to the same computer you installed the software, then launch the DiskInternals Partition Recovery software.
- Step Two: Select the SSD from the list of connected drives on your computer, and choose between the three scanning modes. Fast Recovery (Quick Scan) mode may not get back all the files you want, but it is very fast and recovers a good number of lost files. If you want to get back everything and also repair the SSD, use Full Recovery (Deep Scan) mode and wait for the scan to run completely – it may take some time.
- Step Three: Once the scan is complete, the recovered files will be marked with a red asterisk, so you can easily differentiate between files that are still saved on the SSD and the ones that were just recovered by DiskInternals Partition Recovery. Click on the recovered files and preview them to ensure they're in good condition and equally the ones you needed back.
Note: To resave the recovered files, you need to purchase the DiskInternals Partition Recovery license.
Conclusion
This article has clearly explained how to know if an SSD is dead and how you can try to retrieve your data and files from a dead SSD. Apparently, DiskInternals Partition Recovery is the go-to data recovery for experts and newbies, thanks to its intuitive interface and built-in recovery wizard – plus support for multiple file systems used by Windows, Linux, and macOS systems.