HDD Noise Problems: hard disk drive unusual noises

In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we’ll help you identify common hard disk noise problems and their potential causes. From clicking and grinding sounds to whirring and buzzing, we’ll explain what each noise could indicate about the health of your HDD. Understanding these auditory cues can be essential for diagnosing and addressing hardware issues before they lead to data loss or drive failure.

HDD Noise Problems: hard disk drive unusual noises

Sounds of a faulty hard disk

Here are some of the most typical sounds a faulty hard disk may produce. If you hear them from your computer’s HDD and you still have access to it – hurry up to back up your drive or create a backup image.

Noise Possible Cause Description
Clicking Mechanical issues The sound resembles continuous “clicking” or “popping”. This may indicate problems with the read/write heads or mechanical damage to internal components.
Grinding Motor issues The grinding or constant vibration could indicate that the motor or spindle of the disk is not functioning properly, and the disk may not be spinning correctly.
Screeching Wear on mechanical parts A screeching noise could indicate wear or damage to mechanical parts of the hard drive, particularly the read/write heads.
Low buzzing Minor mechanical issues A low buzzing or hum could be a sign that the disk’s rotation mechanism is not working properly, or there may be issues with the bearings.
Sharp clicking Head failure Sharp clicking may be the result of a failure or disconnection of the read/write head, usually caused by physical damage.
Continuous ticking Power or electronics issues Continuous ticking or short ticking sounds may indicate a problem with the hard drive’s power supply or electronics.
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Western Digital

The dull clicking of faulty magnetic heads.



Faulty magnetic heads click slowly a few times and then the disk platter slows down.



Hard disk platters slowing down after the faulty magnetic heads produce several clicking sounds.



A hard disk with a broken spindle is trying to spin up.



The clicking sounds of a hard disk with faulty high-power amplifier integrated chip.



Unstable work of the hard disk magnetic head, and the HDD stops after a few clicks.



A laptop-series hard disk with a stuck spindle trying to spin up and emitting a siren-like sound.



A computer’s hard disk can’t spin up because of faulty rolling bearings.



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Seagate

The clicking and rustling noises emitted by a hard disk with inoperable magnetic heads.



The sounds emitted by a disk with damaged magnetic heads while trying to start up (spinning up its platters).



Clattering of a laptop hard disk magnetic head.



The hard disk with a stuck spindle is trying to spin up.



The drilling sound of broken magnetic heads.



Maxtor

The hard disk with an inoperable or broken magnetic head assembly.



The clicking of inoperable magnetic heads.



The sound emitted by a hard disk with a stuck spindle.



Samsung

The quick clicking sound which suggests the magnetic heads are out of order.



The same problem as with the previous hard disk.



The sound emitted by damaged magnetic heads.



A worn-out hard disk emitting a scratching sound when addressing bad blocks.



Hitachi/IBM

A laptop hard disk with damaged magnetic heads clicks at startup and then beeps.



A worn-out hard disk emitting a scraping sound when addressing bad blocks.



A hard disk with worn-out platters and magnetic head assembly emitting rattling sounds.



The buzzing sound of a laptop HDD with a stuck spindle trying to spin up.



Toshiba

The sound of broken-down rolling bearings in a laptop hard disk.



The sound of worn-out rolling bearings in a laptop hard disk.



The sound of jamming rolling bearings in a laptop hard disk.



Fujitsu

Worn-out magnetic heads in a laptop hard disk.



Broken magnetic heads in a laptop hard disk.



The sound of worn-out hard disk platters.



Quantum

Faulty magnetic head assembly.



What should you do if your HDD started emitting strange sounds?

  • First of all, make sure that it is the hard disk that produces the suspicious noise.
  • After you realized the culprit is your HDD, run a hard disk diagnostics utility. You can use both the tools supplied by your device manufacturers and third-party utilities. You should remember, though, that such a diagnostics tool will only identify and restrict the use of bad blocks on your disk that cause its incorrect or unstable work, at best. If there is any mechanical damage or natural wear of the hard disk, they cannot be fixed by any software.
  • If nothing changed after using the diagnostics software, we recommend backing up all data from such disk or creating a disk image for recovery – and this should be done immediately.
  • If the suspicious hard disk sounds have disappeared completely or partially after using the diagnostics / restoration tool, your HDD may have bad blocks. Even in this case, we advise to back up all hard disk data and think of replacing it, since more bad blocks may appear in the future, and it will eventually result in loss of data or hard disk breakdown.
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Other sounds that may be emitted by a PC

A hard disk is not the only part in your PC that can emit sounds. Other suspects may include the power supply unit, fans, CD/DVD drive, or other peripheral devices connected to your machine. On the other hand, SSDs do not produce any sounds since they contain no moving parts. Before taking any action, it is important to identify the source of the suspicious sounds.

If your PC is busy running a resource-intensive game or working on a complicated task, it is quite normal to have more noise coming from its system unit – at least, its fans have to spin faster to cool your rig down. Sometimes, a dirty or damaged fan can be noisier than the rest of your system.

Also, it is absolutely natural for your CD/DVD drive to make some noise while reading or copying data from an optical disk.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common causes of noise problems in HDDs?
    1. Vibration from mechanical parts: Hard drives contain many moving parts, such as the spinning platters and read/write heads, which can cause vibration and noise.
    2. Poor mounting: If the hard drive is not mounted properly, it can cause noise and vibration.
    3. Poor air flow: Poor air flow can cause the hard drive to overheat, leading to increased noise.
    4. Poor power supply: A faulty or inadequate power supply can cause hard drive noise.
    5. Faulty components: Faulty components, such as a failing motor or read/write head, can cause noise.
  • How can one determine if their HDD's noise is indicative of a problem?

    If your HDD is making unusual noises such as grinding, clicking, or buzzing, it could be indicative of a problem. You should back up your data and take the drive to a professional for further diagnosis. If the noise persists, it could be a sign of a failing hard drive and you should consider replacing it.

  • What steps can be taken to prevent noise problems in HDDs?
    1. Install vibration-dampening materials: Install vibration-dampening materials such as rubber washers, grommets, and foam insulation around the hard drive to reduce the amount of noise it produces.
    2. Use a fanless power supply: A fanless power supply will reduce the amount of noise produced by the hard drive.
    3. Place the hard drive in a well-ventilated area: Placing the hard drive in a well-ventilated area will help to reduce the amount of heat generated by the hard drive and thus reduce the amount of noise produced.
    4. Install acoustic foam: Acoustic foam can be used to absorb sound waves and reduce the amount of noise emitted from the hard drive.
    5. Use a quieter cooling system: A quieter cooling system such as liquid cooling can be used to reduce the amount of noise produced by the hard drive.
  • How can a user safely diagnose a noise issue in their HDD?
    1. Back up all important data on an external hard drive or other storage device.
    2. Check the cables and connections to make sure they are secure.
    3. Listen to the noise to determine if it is coming from the HDD or another component.
    4. Run a disk diagnostic tool to check for any errors or issues.
    5. If the noise persists, replace the HDD with a new one.
  • What are some warning signs that an HDD may be failing?
    1. Unusual noises such as clicking, grinding, or buzzing.
    2. Inability to access files or folders on the drive.
    3. Corrupted or deleted files.
    4. Slow performance when trying to access data.
    5. Computer freezes or crashes when accessing the drive.
    6. Bad sectors or clusters on the drive.
    7. Sudden decrease in available disk space.
    8. Unusual messages from the operating system about the drive.

Comments (21)

  • Ethan
    Ethan 1.05.2021 22:59 #
    Why cant I listen to any of the sounds
    Reply
  • Jo van
    Jo van 26.01.2021 06:05 #
    Have WD Ultra metal portable HD. When I connect to my laptop , the laptop doesn’t recognize the WD HD, at times it recognize, however when I try to enter a file it will freeze. Any idea what the problem is?
    Reply
  • Hüseyin
    Hüseyin 1.07.2020 00:13 #
    Perfect explain, good job
    Reply
  • Evon
    Evon 29.05.2020 19:51 #
    Noises Emitted by Western Digital (WD) HDDs. My external HD have got this sound: A laptop-series WD hard disk with a stuck spindle trying to spin up and emitting a howling sound. Can this be fix and can I retrieve the data?
    Reply
    • Andrey Mareev
      Andrey Mareev 10.06.2020 14:37 #
      You can fix that only in a special data recovery laboratory
      Reply
  • sibi s koshy
    sibi s koshy 3.01.2020 07:11 #
    my seagate hdd makes some noise that is not listed above.but it seems to work fine.i want to know whether there is any problem in my drive.please help.
    Reply
    • Andrey Mareev
      Andrey Mareev 6.01.2020 11:19 #
      Extraneous noises were earlier or appeared recently? If recently - save all data from this drive to another, or to the online cloud. It is quite possible that this disk will soon stop working.
      Reply
  • Shane Clerk
    Shane Clerk 20.05.2016 22:47 #
    What are some possible solutions for reducing or eliminating HDD noise?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 20.05.2016 23:23 #
      1. Use Solid State Drives (SSD): SSDs are much quieter than HDDs because they don't have any moving parts, so they don't generate any noise.
      2. Install Noise-dampening Foam: Installing noise-dampening foam around the HDD can help to reduce the amount of noise that it produces.
      3. Use an External Hard Drive: External hard drives are designed to be used outside of the computer, so they are usually quieter than internal HDDs.
      4. Move the Hard Drive to a Different Location: Moving the hard drive to a different location in your computer can help to reduce the amount of noise that it produces.
      5. Use a Different Power Supply: Some power supplies are louder than others, so switching to a quieter power supply can help to reduce HDD noise.
      Reply
  • Raife Gaines
    Raife Gaines 20.05.2016 20:52 #
    Can a software issue cause HDD noise problems, or are they always hardware-related?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 20.05.2016 21:22 #
      Software issues can cause HDD noise problems, as they can cause the HDD to work harder than normal. This can lead to increased heat, vibration, and noise. Additionally, a software issue can cause the HDD to become overworked, which can also lead to increased noise.
      Reply
  • Hudson Soulsby
    Hudson Soulsby 20.05.2016 16:57 #
    How can environmental factors impact HDD noise levels?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 20.05.2016 17:14 #
      Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and dust can all have an impact on HDD noise levels. Temperature can affect the mechanical components of the HDD, causing them to vibrate more and thus produce more noise. High humidity can cause condensation to form on the HDD, which can lead to rusting and other corrosion, resulting in increased noise. Dust can accumulate on the HDD, causing it to become clogged with debris, resulting in increased noise levels.
      Reply
  • Samuel Hitchens
    Samuel Hitchens 20.05.2016 14:10 #
    How can a user distinguish between normal and abnormal HDD noises?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 20.05.2016 14:28 #
      Normal HDD noises include a low-level hum or buzz that may be heard when the computer is powered on. This is usually caused by the spinning of the hard drive platters. Abnormal noises may include clicking, grinding, or buzzing sounds, which are usually indicative of a problem with the drive. If you hear any of these noises, it’s best to power off the computer immediately and seek professional help.
      Reply
  • Uriah Heslop-Harrison
    Uriah Heslop-Harrison 20.05.2016 11:23 #
    What are some possible consequences of ignoring HDD noise problems?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 20.05.2016 11:43 #
      1. Damage to the Hard Drive: If the noise problem is ignored, it can lead to damage to the hard drive. This could result in data loss and an inability to access stored information.
      2. System Failure: Ignoring HDD noise problems can also lead to system failure. The noise could be a sign of a faulty component, which could cause the system to crash or malfunction.
      3. Inefficiency: If the noise problem is not addressed, it could lead to inefficient performance of the hard drive. This could cause the system to run slower than usual, resulting in decreased productivity.
      4. Heat Buildup: Ignoring HDD noise problems can also lead to heat buildup in the hard drive. This can cause the hard drive to overheat, leading to permanent damage or even complete failure.
      Reply
  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 27.04.2018 14:05 #
    Read about identifying HDD noise problems. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
    Reply
    • fahim
      fahim 2.09.2019 09:00 #
      My hard disk make sound and not show in computer is it pcb issue?
      Reply
      • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
        Hetman Software: Data Recovery 4.09.2019 13:06 #
        1) Backup all needed data from it 2) If the hard disk make sound - its mean what hi is stop working very soon
        Reply
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