Hard Drive Clicking? See How to Fix Clicking Hard Drive On Your Own

• Reading Duration: 3-5 minutes.
• Applies to: Fix hard drive clicking issue in Windows 10/8/7, repair clicking internal/external hard drive, with no data loss.

"I connected my WD external hard drive to my laptop and it kept making clicking sounds. Years worth of my kids' photos are gone. How can I fix this and retrieve my data?"

Do you hear a loud "click, click, click" sound when you start up your computer or connect an external hard drive to your PC? Don't panic. This page has got you covered with all reliable solutions. Read on to learn how to fix a clicking hard drive and get it functioning again:

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Overview of Internal/External Hard Drive Clicking When you hear a clicking sound coming from your internal or external hard drive, it can be an indication of a serious issue. This clicking noise is often referred to as the "click of death," and it typically signifies a mechanical failure within the hard drive. Here's a brief overview of what this issue might entail: 1. **Mechanical Failure**: The most common reason for a hard drive to click is a malfunction in its mechanical components. Hard drives have moving parts, such as read/write heads floating above the spinning disk platters. If these components fail, they can cause the clicking sound. 2. **Head Crash**: A head crash occurs when the read/write heads come into contact with the disk platters, potentially causing damage and data loss. This can result in a persistent clicking sound as the drive attempts to read the damaged sectors. 3. **Bad Sectors**: Over time, hard drives can develop bad sectors, which are areas on the disk that can no longer store data reliably. The drive may click as it tries to access these sectors, especially if the bad sector count is high. 4. **Power Issues**: In some cases, a clicking sound can be caused by power fluctuations or inadequate power supply to the hard drive. This can lead to the drive's components not functioning correctly. 5. ** Firmware or Controller Board Issues**: The firmware or controller board of the hard drive could be faulty, causing the clicking noise. These components manage the communication between the hard drive and the computer. 6. **Recovery Options**: If you encounter a clicking hard drive, it's crucial to back up your data immediately, if possible. Data recovery tools or professional services might be necessary to retrieve the information. 7. **Prevention**: Regular backups, keeping your hardware up to date, and avoiding physical shocks can help prevent hard drive failures. Remember, a clicking hard drive is often a sign of a critical problem that requires prompt attention. Ignoring the issue could lead to permanent data loss.

Is it normal for a hard drive or external hard drive to keep clicking? It depends. Let's explore what it means when your hard drive is clicking and the possible causes of this issue on your disk.

Symptoms of Hard Drive Clicking:

• The disk is functioning normally with the light on, emitting a slight and low clicking sound.
• The hard drive is experiencing connectivity issues as it clicks slowly with a small sound.
• The disk has a "click of death" problem: clicking rapidly and producing a loud "Click, Click, Click" noise.

What Causes (External) Hard Drive Clicking:

• Power supply issue: Insufficient power supply, hard drive spin error.
• Problematic connection: Incompatible or problematic connection cable.
• Physical damages: Fire burned, water damage, high temperature, etc.
• Hardware issues: Worn/misplaced disk head, damaged service area, damaged PCB, etc.

5 Solutions for External Hard Drive Clicking Issues

通常，硬盘出现咔哒声被认为是硬盘故障的征兆。那么如何修复咔哒作响（外部）硬盘呢？如果你遇到此类问题，首先检查硬盘的状态：

• Hard drive clicking but still functioning (accessible)
• Hard drive clicking and not recognized

If your clicking hard drive is still accessible, follow Method 1 and Method 2 to retrieve data from your drive first. If the drive is not detected or not recognized, proceed to Method 3 to address the issue.

Hard Drive Click of Death? How to Save Your Data from Loss

The Hard Drive Click of Death is a frightening sound that no computer user wants to hear. This article explains the reasons behind it and how users can protect their data from complete disaster.

修复1：从仍能正常工作的点击硬盘中恢复数据

When your clicking hard drive is detected without displaying any files, you'll need reliable hard drive recovery software to retrieve the missing disk data first. In this case, the tool Data Recovery Wizard can assist you.

Using data recovery software, you can even utilize such software to recover data from a failed hard drive. Here are the steps to recover data from a clicking hard drive:

Step 1. Scan the hard drive partition

Choose the drive on your hard disk where you lost or deleted files. Click "Scan" and allow the data recovery software to scan for all lost data and files on the selected drive.

Step 2. Check the results

Once the scan is finished, you can utilize the "Filter" feature or click the "Search files or folders" option to locate the lost files on the hard drive.

Step 3. Recover Lost Hard Drive Data

选择您在驱动器上丢失的所需文件，然后单击“恢复”将它们保存到另一个位置。

Solution 2: Use Data Recovery Service to Restore Clicking Hard Drive Data

If tool-based data recovery software fails to restore data from your clicking and detectable hard drive, you'll need manual data recovery services.

Tools Data Recovery Services

Click here to contact our experts for a free evaluation

Consult with Tools Data Recovery Experts for personalized manual recovery assistance. Following services are available after a FREE diagnosis:

• Repair damaged RAID configurations, unbootable Windows OS, and corrupted virtual disk files (.vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx, etc.)
• Recover/rebuild lost partitions and repartitioned drives
• Undo hard drive formatting and fix raw drives (including BitLocker encrypted drives)
• Rectify disks converted to GPT-protected partitions

< strong > Extended Tips: Data Recovery Software vs. Manual Data Recovery Service

If you're unsure how to choose a data recovery solution for your clicking hard drive, watch this video to learn about the differences.

 

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Once you've recovered data from the clicking hard drive, follow the fixes below sequentially to repair it and get your clicking hard drive functioning again.

Also Read: Hard Drive Clicking But Still Works - Why & How to Fix

Fix 3: Change Hard Drive Connection to Resolve Clicking Drive Issue

大多是由于电源供应不足导致硬盘发出咔哒声，更换USB端口在某些情况下会有帮助。此外，损坏或不兼容的连接线也可能导致磁盘点击错误。

Here are the steps to troubleshoot a clicking hard drive: 1. **Disconnect the Hard Drive**: First, safely remove the hard drive from your computer by turning off the system and unplugging any power or data cables connected to it. 2. **Check for External Issues**: Examine the hard drive for physical damage such as cracks, scratches, or loose connections. Make sure all cables are securely attached. 3. **Test on Another Computer**: Connect the hard drive to another working computer as a secondary drive. This will help determine if the issue lies with the hard drive itself or the original system. 4. **Boot from a Live USB/CD**: Use a bootable USB or CD/DVD with a diagnostic tool like Ubuntu or a Windows installation media. If the hard drive is detected, this could indicate a software problem. 5. **Run Hard Drive Utilities**: Utilize built-in hard drive diagnostic tools, such as Western Digital's Data Lifeguard or Seagate's SeaTools. These tools can perform a thorough check and identify potential issues. 6. **Check S.M.A.R.T. Status**: SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) can provide information about the health of the hard drive. Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to view the S.M.A.R.T. status. 7. **Listen Carefully**: If the clicking sound persists, it might be a symptom of a mechanical failure, such as a failing read/write head. In this case, further professional assistance is recommended. 8. **Data Recovery**: If data is important, consider using data recovery software like Recuva or hiring a professional service before attempting any repairs, as trying to fix a physically damaged drive may worsen the situation. 9. **Replace the Hard Drive**: If all else fails, it may be time to replace the hard drive. Modern solid-state drives (SSDs) are less prone to mechanical failures and can offer improved performance. 10. **Backup Regularly**: To prevent future data loss, establish a regular backup routine using external storage devices or cloud-based services.

Step 1. Check if the connection cable is damaged.

If so, buy a new cable and reconnect the clicking (external) hard drive to your computer.

Step 2. Check if the power cable is loose.

If so, unplug and re-plug the power cable, and connect it securely to both your computer and the hard drive.

Step 3. Check if you're using a compatible drive.

If you connected a USB 3.0 external drive using a USB 2.0 cable, it might not be recognized and could emit clicking sounds.

Step 4. Connect the clicking (external) hard drive to another computer.

如果驱动器在您的计算机上仍然发出咔哒声，请尝试将其连接到另一台计算机。

Step 5. Remove the hard drive from the disk enclosure and connect it to your PC as an external drive.

These troubleshooting steps can rule out any connectivity issues. If the clicking sound persists, proceed with the other solutions outlined below. If you're unable to access your saved data, refer back to Method 1 for assistance.

Fix 4: Freeze or Cool Down the Hard Drive

When a hard drive is overheating, you might hear a clicking sound coming from the computer. Freezing the hard drive can, on one hand, cool down the device, and on the other hand, cause the components inside to contract, potentially freeing any that are stuck or trapped.

要冻结你的硬盘，你可以按照以下步骤操作：

< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Open your computer or laptop case and clean all the dust off the fan.

Step 2. Add an extra fan to your computer and cool down the drive.

Step 3. Stop using the computer and let the drive cool down.

Once the hard drive is functioning again, immediately backup your data or perform data recovery from the hard drive.

Step 4. If the hard drive is too old, purchase a new one and replace the old one.

Replace the old drive with a new disk

Fix 5: Send the Clicking Hard Drive for Repair

If the clicking sound continues, it might indicate significant hardware issues, such as a malfunctioning read head or damaged components on your hard drive.

In such cases, you might require assistance from hard drive repair specialists to fix the clicking hard drive and retrieve data from it.

To do so, you have three options for clicking hard drive repair:

1. Send the faulty hard drive for a replacement if it's still under warranty.

If the clicking hard drive is beyond repair, your only option is to switch to a new one.

Contact the support team of your hard drive manufacturer for assistance.

3. Take the clicking hard drive to a local hard disk repair center.

Specialists can replace the control board in case of an electrical failure or swap out the disk head if it's weak or damaged.

"Repairing a Clicking Hard Drive is Achievable, Get Your Drive Functioning Now"

On this page, we discussed the reasons behind a clicking hard drive, guided you through data recovery, and provided 5 reliable fixes to repair a clicking hard drive.

• If you experience a clicking issue with your hard drive/external hard disk but it's still accessible, use free backup software to backup all your files to another secure device first.
• If the clicking disk is not accessible, first recover your data from the drive using reliable data recovery software.

• Later, you can try to change its connection cables, cool down the drive, or take it for repair based on the causes of the clicking disks.

"Hard Drive Clicking FAQs"

If you still have questions about this issue, refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below for assistance.

1. What are the signs of a failing hard drive?

以下是一些硬盘即将故障或已经故障的迹象：

• Unusual sounds, such as clicking or humming.
• Recurring program or disk errors.
• Error messages that frequently appear.
• Device not detectable or not recognized.
• Inability to load data or the system.
• Drive blinking but not functioning.

2. Why is my PC making a clicking sound?

• Low clicking sound: The computer is reading or writing data to the hard drive.
• Loud clicking sound: The hard drive has a malfunctioning hard drive head.
• The computer and hard drive are overheating.

3. What to do with a failing or dying hard drive? Translation: What steps should be taken when dealing with a failing or deteriorating hard drive?

If your hard drive is failing or showing signs of failure, such as making a clicking noise, there are several remedies you can attempt:

• Recover data from a failing hard drive if it's still bootable.
• Backup data from a failing hard drive if it's unbootable.
• Examine the dying hard drive by swapping power cables, updating the disk driver, etc.
• Send the drive for repair if it's still under warranty.

For a detailed walkthrough, you can refer to: What To Do with A Dying Drive.