Hard Drive Not Spinning? Causes and Fixes Right Here!

On this page, we have gathered 4 practical solutions to help you fix the Hard Drive Not Spinning Up error. If you encounter a similar issue with your computer's hard drive, try any of the methods listed below to get your drive functioning again:

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Hard Drive Not Spinning

When you connected your hard drive to your computer, you didn't hear the usual spinning sound that signifies the hard drive is functioning. Instead, there was no spinning sound, and the hard drive behaved as if it wasn't connected at all. A hard drive not spinning is one of the indicators that your hard drive is not functioning properly. This issue can affect both internal hard drives and external ones from brands like Seagate, Western Digital, and more. Honestly, when an (external) hard drive fails to spin, it's often an indication of firmware issues on your disk. Apart from minor issues such as severe power surges and inadequate power supply, there are other significant reasons that might lead to the hard drive not spinning.

Possible Causes

• Electrical failure on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
• The read/write head stuck on the platter
• Seizure of the platter motor

Symptoms refer to the signs and indicators of a disease, disorder, or any abnormal condition that a person may experience. These can include physical manifestations such as fever, headache, coughing, or fatigue, as well as emotional or psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, or changes in behavior. Symptoms serve as an alert for individuals and healthcare professionals to identify and address underlying health issues.

When your hard drive fails to spin, your computer won't detect it, and you won't be able to retrieve data from the hard drive using data recovery software until the issue is resolved.

When your hard drive fails to spin, it's advisable to seek professional assistance for manual repair. To gain more insight into how to fix a non-spinning hard drive and perform some troubleshooting yourself, continue reading to understand how to address the issue.

How to Resolve a Hard Drive Not Spinning Up Issue

You can only arrive at the correct solution once you identify the specific reason causing your hard drive to fail to spin up. Hence, it's essential to undertake some troubleshooting steps initially.

Option 1: Check the Power Surge/Supply

If you detect a burning odor coming from your hard drive, it might have experienced a power surge, potentially damaging the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) on the drive. In this scenario, you would need to identify the specific damaged component and replace it with a functioning counterpart from the same PCB. If there is no burning smell, you can troubleshoot the power supply by connecting the hard drive to your computer with a different cable or trying it on another computer. If the "hard drive not spinning" issue persists, it's likely that your hard drive has a mechanical or electrical problem.

Option 2: Troubleshoot the PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

A hard drive's PCB, or Printed Circuit Board, facilitates the flow of electricity between various components essential for its operation. Key elements on a PCB include the Main Controller IC (which functions类似 a CPU), Motor Controller Chip, Cache Chip, ROM/BIOS, Board Number, and TVS Diodes. Damage or burning of any of these components can lead to hard drive failure, manifested by issues such as the hard drive not spinning.

Among these components, diodes are the most common failure on a PCB. When a diode shorts out, it can cause the hard drive to fail. So, we'll start by testing the diodes. For this, you'll need a T8 screwdriver and a multimeter.

Step 1. Remove the PCB from the hard drive using the screwdriver.

Step 2. Touch the two multimeter probes to each end of the diode.

Step 3. If the multimeter emits a beeping sound and displays a reading close to zero, there is a short in the diode.

Step 4. If you only need to recover data from the hard drive and don’t intend to use it anymore, you can remove the flyback diode. However, if you plan on continuing to use the device, you must replace the diode with one from a functioning PCB that matches the original.

Notice:

1. There are two categories of circuit boards: external-accessible firmware and embedded firmware. The latter is challenging to remove, so you might need professional assistance. 2. Diodes are rectangular, black components typically labeled as "D" followed by a number. 3. Removing a diode involves heat, necessitating specialized tools. Do not attempt to remove components manually, as this could physically damage your PCB. 4. Since PCBs store unique firmware information, swapping a faulty PCB with an identical one will not resolve the issue.

However, if there is an obvious burn component on the PCB, do not proceed with any further operations on the PCB and send it directly to a professional.

Option 3: Fix Stuck Disk Head

A problematic disk head can also result in severe issues like hard drive clicking and the current topic: hard drive not spinning. When a disk is idle, the head should park on the landing zone. Therefore, if you open the hard drive's top cover and notice the disk head stuck on the platter, that's the reason your hard drive isn't spinning. (There are tutorial videos available on how to fix a stuck head; you can follow them to complete the process.)

Step 1. Use a suitable screwdriver to remove the cover of the hard drive.

Step 2. If you notice the disk head is on the platter, that's where the issue lies. To rectify the problem, you'll need to manually move the disk head back to its parked position using a hook or a similar tool, along with a screwdriver.

Step 3. Use the screwdriver to turn the screw in the center of the spindle counterclockwise. You need to pull the head with the hook while you reduce the stress on the platter.

Step 4. Replace the lid and connect the hard drive to your computer. Typically, the hard drive will start spinning and function again.

Notice:

Make sure you perform the operation above in a clean environment. Aside from the screws on the side, there's always a screw underneath the sticker, which you can locate by running your finger across the lid.

Option 4: Repair Seized Spindle Motor

When a hard drive functions normally, the platter within the hard drive rotates with the assistance of the spindle motor. If the spindle motor becomes seized or the spindle itself is damaged, the hard drive will not spin up when connected. Typically, a platter swap is carried out when there is physical damage to the spindle or motor.

A platter swap requires specialized tools and a clean room environment. It's strongly recommended to send the hard drive to professional services for manual repair. If you wish to attempt it yourself, you can search for "platter swap" tutorials on YouTube, and carefully follow the instructions in the video. Please note that this process carries significant risks and may void any warranty.

Here are the common causes and remedies for a hard drive not spinning. Hopefully, one of these solutions proves helpful to you.

底线

In typical data loss scenarios such as deletion, formatting, or operating system crashes, you can readily retrieve your files with the assistance of data recovery software. However, when faced with an issue like a hard drive not spinning, no recovery tool can aid you until the device is recognized by the computer. What I'm emphasizing is the importance of regularly backing up your hard drive as the most secure means to prevent complete data loss. Whether you opt for manually transferring files or utilizing free backup software, taking action is crucial.