Hard disk drives are susceptible to failures due to their infrastructure. Moving parts of an HDD makes it exposable to physical damage, which leads to severe consequences for a user.
Given the complexity and sensitivity of a hard drive, its reliable and long-lasting performance is a benefit. This is especially true for hard drives in portable devices such as laptops. Hard drive platters spin at thousands of revolutions per minute, and disk heads hover at a minimal distance above their surface. However, if the heads crash into the platters, it causes one of the most widespread signs of data loss – a clicking sound.
If it clicks unusually loudly and the data on it becomes inaccessible, it may be what is called a “click of death.” When a hard drive sounds louder than usual, the first problem is mechanical failure and data loss. Assuming that the drive is still functioning, it is recommended that you back up your data before you troubleshoot, just in case there is a failure. If the data is extremely valuable, another option is to power the drive down immediately and turn it over to a professional data recovery service.
Reasons for Click of Death on Hard Drive
Hard drives usually make clicking noises when working properly, with some models making more noise than others. If the hard drive clicks louder than usual, it may be a sign of a severe problem.
Before you start resuscitating the hard drive, you need to understand the causes of atypical sounds in the hard drive. Sometimes the clicking sounds are caused by unrelated to the operation of the device factors.
Not Enough Power
This happens due to a failed power supply. You may need to connect a charger to provide more power to the device.
Power Failure
In this case, the media may also not boot. Other signs can indicate this problem, for example, the flashing of electric lights.
It is preferable to unplug the hard drive from a power source and wait until the voltage returns to normal. Otherwise, there is a risk that the next surge will burn out the HDD component.
Broken Cable
Replacement of the wire or restoration of the damaged place can easily solve this problem.
Overheating
When the cooler does not work properly, the hard drive will overheat, and its speed will significantly decrease. With severe overheating, HDD may not start or shut down independently. The first step in such a situation is to check whether the cooler works properly.
Dust can be another reason for overheating. Therefore it is necessary to clean the storage system unit regularly.
What to Do if Hard Drive is Clicking?
When noting a clicking sound from your hard disk drive, you need to be very careful. Each wrong step can cause more damage to the device. There are many options on the Internet that can guarantee successful results. However, using them is very risky.
Data recovery software often becomes a solution for logically damaged devices. However, when the clicking sound comes from a hard drive, the problem lies within the device’s physical components. Hence, a recovery program will bring no results.
Moreover, continuing to run the drive can cause irreversible damage, as read/write heads may scratch off the data stored on the platters by going through them.
Therefore, power down the device as soon as hearing a clicking noise coming from the HDD. Do not try to repair the device at home. In this data loss scenario, it is essential to open the device in specialized facilities. Therefore, after powering down the device, contact a reputable data recovery company.
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Clicking Hard Drive Recovery with PITS
PITS Global Data Recovery Services offers restoration from clicking hard drives. Our specialists have years of experience working with various data loss cases, and we have achieved high success rates through these years.
Our company recovers lost data from internal and external hard drives using the latest tools and advanced techniques. Working in ISO Certified Class 10 Cleanroom, we safely restore all the required data from the HDD and deliver the highest level of service to our clients.
If you’re facing a data loss situation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our 24/7 data recovery services are available to you, 365 days a year. Let us help you recover your precious data today.
We start the recovery process with a risk-free evaluation. Our technicians estimate reasons for data loss and the level of damage. Based on it, we select the most suitable recovery strategy.
With years in the data recovery industry, our company supports the highest customer satisfaction rate. We do everything to provide a positive experience for our clients.
During our remote customer file verification session, you will thoroughly review all necessary documents and records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
We offer data recovery services from over 50 locations across the US. This means that no matter where you are located, you can access our services to recover the data.
With our certified data recovery services and 99% success rate, we are confident that we can recover your precious data and get you back up and running in no time.
We start the recovery process with an evaluation. We thoroughly review the hard drive to estimate the level of damage and cause of data loss. Based on this information, our technicians choose the most suitable data recovery strategy for your device.
Request help from our skilled data recovery experts today by filling out the request help form below. If you have questions regarding our recovery service, do not hesitate to call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Click of Death in computer terms?
The Click of Death refers to a symptom of a failing hard drive characterized by a repetitive clicking sound. This suggests that the drive is incapable of reading or writing data effectively, frequently resulting in data loss or malfunctioning of the device.
Why does my hard drive make a clicking noise?
A hard drive may make a clicking noise due to mechanical issues such as misalignment of the read/write head, physical damage to the disk, or a failure in the drive’s internal components. It’s often considered a serious warning sign.
Can I recover data from a hard drive with Click of Death?
In most cases, data can be recovered from a hard drive with Click of Death. This necessitates specialized equipment and expertise, with success rates changing depending on the severity of the issue.
What causes the click of death?
The Click of Death is typically caused by a malfunction in the hard drive’s read/write head or internal components. It can also be a result of physical damage to the disk, such as from dropping the device.
Why is my hard drive clicking every 5 seconds?
If your hard drive is clicking every 5 seconds, it could be a sign of severe damage or failure. It’s essential to back up data and seek professional help immediately to prevent further damage.