Why Is My External USB Hard Drive Making Clicking Sounds and Not Recognized by the Computer? What Are My Options?
Many a time, an external USB hard drive can fail due to various reasons. One of the common issues that can surface is the drive making clicking sounds while not being recognized by the computer. This can be quite concerning for anyone who relies on the drive's data. In this article, we will discuss why this happens, what your options are, and how best to proceed.
Understanding the Cause of Clicking Sounds and Unrecognized Drive
The clicking sound that your external USB hard drive makes is often associated with a failing drive. Usually, this sound is coming from the mechanism inside the drive that reads the platters. If the drive is making noise and not being recognized by the computer, it might be due to a malfunctioning arm or a scratch on one of the disks. When the arm or the reading head gets stuck on a scratch or crack, it can cause the drive to make a clicking sound while trying to access the data. This can also be a sign that the drive is in need of repair or replacement.
What to Do and Where to Go for Help
When your external USB hard drive starts making these annoying clicking sounds and is not being recognized by your computer, it is crucial to act quickly. The first thing you should do is stop using the drive immediately. Continuing to access the data can further damage the drive and reduce the chances of professional recovery services being able to retrieve it.
The best course of action is to send the drive to a professional data recovery service. This is especially important if you have crucial data on the drive. Professional services have the expertise and tools to restore your data even if the drive is in a critical condition. Sending the drive to a professional is a safer and more reliable option compared to trying to fix it yourself.
Prevention is Key: Why Backup Is Essential
Unfortunately, data loss from a failing external USB hard drive is a common occurrence. To avoid losing important data, it is essential to have a backup of your external drive. Having a secondary drive that is always up-to-date with all the data from the primary drive ensures that you always have a copy of your data in case the primary drive fails. This is the essence of a backup plan.
If your primary drive fails, you should immediately buy a new external drive and make a copy of the data from your secondary backup drive. Once the transfer is complete, the secondary drive becomes the primary drive, and the new one serves as the backup. It is recommended to make regular backups and ensure that your data is copied to a new drive weekly to keep it up to date.
Remember that no technology is eternal. This is why having a backup is crucial. Regular updates and a robust backup strategy can help prevent data loss in the event of a hardware failure.
Case Study: When Supply Current Is the Issue
It is not uncommon for an external USB hard drive to fail due to supply current issues. In one case, an external USB HDD that was USB bus powered and plugged into a USB2 port on a computer was not recognized. However, when the same drive was connected to a USB3 port or a mains-powered USB2 hub, it worked perfectly.
The problem was that the drive was consuming more current than the USB2 port could provide, causing it to spin down before it could reach full working speed. This led to the clicking sound as the head parked clamp engaged and disengaged during each spin-up/spin-down cycle. If the supply current was the issue, it would be better to replace the drive and copy the data onto a new drive from the backup copies of the faulty drive. Always having a backup is essential, as relying on a single drive for important data is never advisable.
Replacing the drive and restoring from a backup drive is likely to be much cheaper and more effective than trying to repair the drive and recover its contents. This approach not only ensures that your data is safe but also minimizes the disruption caused by a failing drive.
In conclusion, if your external USB hard drive is making clicking noises and not being recognized by your computer, the best course of action is to seek professional help. Ensure that you have a regular backup strategy to avoid permanent data loss. By following these guidelines, you can protect your data and minimize the risks associated with drive failures.