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SSD or Solid State Drive is a modern storage device that is faster and more reliable than traditional hard disks. Users prefer SSDs to improve boot time and system performance; unlike hard disks, they don’t have moving mechanical parts. However, despite modern technology, SSDs can also fail due to various hardware or software issues. If your SSD not working properly, go through the article and fix various issues related to SSD and recover data from SSD.
Common Signs: When SSD Not Working/Failed or Crashes?
In this section, we will share the most common signs that hint that your SSD is not working properly.
- SSD Not Detected in BIOS or File Explorer: In most cases of SSD failure, the SSD is not detected in BIOS or File Explorer. Users can see this as an indication of the complete failure of the SSD. Users will notice this when:
- The computer’s BIOS and UEFI settings do not clearly display SSD.
- The drive is missing from the File Explorer. Whether it’s Windows or Finder on macOS.
- The system boots up with a pop-up message like “no bootable device found.”
- System Freezes or Shows Boot Errors: A failed SSD will make your system freeze frequently, or an application will stop responding when you try to read or write data to the SSD.
- When you force a computer restart, the system freezes at random.
- If a computer displays a blue screen of death (BSOD), does not boot up correctly, or gets locked in a boot loop.
- Somehow, data unpredictably becomes corrupt or disappears
- Strange Noises from SSD or Sudden Shutdowns or Stop Working: Unlike the old hard drive, SSDs have no moving parts and should be quiet. If you hear clicking, grinding, or whirring noises, then there must be a problem with the SSD. Pay attention when:
- The system shuts down without warning while you are checking or using your SSD drive.
- In case the SSD has been manually restarted.
Main Reasons for SSD Not Working Properly
SSD is not recognized or SSD not working properly can be a result of:
- Power downpour or Inappropriate shutdown: Any random loss of power or electrical spikes can corrupt the information in your SSD. Internal components could damage from the electrical current during a power surge. Write cycles can be incomplete due to a wrong shutdown, such as unplugging the computer or a power outage.
- File system corruption: On an SSD drive, the file system decides how this data is kept or accessed. If the system becomes corrupted, it will cause data loss or make the drive unreadable. This issue happens because of software bugs, malware, or improper shutdown.
- Firmware or Controller Issues with SSD: Data flow is controlled by the controller chip and firmware, which is also called SSD’s operating system. When these components malfunction, the SSD becomes completely inaccessible. Firmware bugs can become the main reason that drives stop working. A defective controller might lead to an interruption in the PC’s ability to access or read SSD and data files.
- Personal Physical damage | Overheating SSD Drive: SSD storage devices are more reliable, faster, and more durable than the old hard drives, but sometimes they are not indestructible. If you drop your laptop, it can directly impact your SSD drive, potentially causing physical damage to the circuit board or memory chips. Overheating can also make the SSD not working properly. As users know, SSD drives can handle some heat and prolonged exposure. High temperatures can spoil your flash memory cells or other elements over time.
Can I Recover Data from a Dead/Crashed SSD Drive?
Yes, definitely, anyone can recover data from a external hard disk or a Dead/Crashed SSD with ease, but the possibility of recovery from an SSD that is damaged physically is very low.
Understanding Logical vs. Physical Failure
Logical failure: This issue happens when the SSD hardware is fine, but data is inaccessible because of software. For example, a corrupted file system, accidental deletion, virus attacks, etc. In these cases, the SSD drive is often detected by the computer, but data cannot be read.
Physical failure: This develops when the hard drive part fails due to an issue with the hardware. For example, using a faulty controller chip, damaged NAND flash memory chips, a failed power component, etc. Users experience physical drive failure when the computer typically doesn’t detect the SSD.
DIY Methods to Recover Data from Non-Working SSD
Users can follow some do-it-yourself (DIY) methods to recover data from an SSD drive. These methods are most effective for logical failures.
- Check SSD in BIOS or Disk Management: BIOS/UEFI: Shut down and restart the computer or PC, and after that, enter BIOS or UEFI settings. Search SSD listed under “Storage,” “SATA Configuration,” or “Boot Order.” It is a positive sign that the drive has the ability and can be detected at a basic level if you can see it now.
Disk Management: If the computer boots, open Disk Management on your Windows; after that, use this key (Windows + X) and then choose “Disk Management.” If the SSD drive is shown or even appears as “Unallocated,” “Raw,” or “Not Initialized,” the system is detecting the drive. - Assign Drive Letter | Format Errors: If SSD is found but you can’t access it, it is a simple issue with “drive letter or formatting”.
Assign Drive Letter: In Disk Management, if the SSD is shown without any drive letter, then right-click on the volume. After that, select “Change Drive Letter or Paths…” to assign a new one.
Format Errors: If the hard drive shows “Raw” or “Unallocated” status, it means your file system is corrupt. Do not format the drive! This will erase all data. - Use the Professional Data RecoveryTool: Choosing expert-recommended data recovery toolkit from BLR Tools is needed if the free do-it-yourself method fails. BLR Windows Data Recovery is the safe and secure way to recover lost data from a bitlocker encrypted hard disk . It recovers all kinds of data, be it a document, a photo, videos, files, folders, databases, emails, etc. It helps users to recover accidentally deleted data, formatted data, or data lost due to a corrupt hard drive.
- Try the Power Cycle Trick: Use this last DIY fix for the physical failure of the SSD drive. Users can use this method, specifically a “locked-out” state, when the SSD’s controller is stuck.
- Disconnect the data cable, but you need to leave the SSD inserted into the laptop.
- Turn on the computer.
- Run for about 30 minutes.
- SSD drive is now ON here – but without any data commands.
- It could be able to “reset” itself.
- Wait for 30 more minutes and then turn off the computer.
- Reconnect the data cable to the SSD.
- Turn the computer back on.
- Check if the drive is now detected.
- This method isn’t guaranteed by experts, but sometimes this DIY works in the case of SSD Not Working for some users.
Tips: Prevent SSD Crashes in the Future
Use some healthy tips to prevent SSD not working crashes in the future:-
- If you don’t want to face this situation again, then regularly back up your data. Sometimes, SSDs can fail unexpectedly, or it will make you hustle to access data.
- Users can keep 3 copies of data on the SSD drive to access their data when their SSD is not working.
- Sometimes, users can switch SSD data to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, which can save their important data.
- Manually or automatically back up your entire system or critical files to another drive.
- In today’s time, most SSD drives have built-in features like self-monitoring, analysis, reporting, etc., that also predict impending failure. Users can use the free software, like CrystalDiskInfo, to check the SSD data.
- Always pay attention to performance degradation, files becoming corrupted, computers freezing frequently, etc.; this can be a sign of SSD failure.
- Using the manufacturer’s tool is the safest way to update SSD firmware because a failed firmware update could make the drive unusable.
