Solid state drives , better known as SSDs , are much faster and consume less power than traditional hard drives. But like any PC component , even SSDs can show signs of fatigue over time, despite their estimated average lifespan of seven to ten years.
When they start to show signs of failure, it is crucial to understand why and how to address the problem. This component uses flash memory, similar to USB drives , to store and access information digitally.
If you notice that your SSD is slower than usual or simply no longer working, in this scenario, there are six effective methods you can employ before giving up on your storage drive .
Update the drivers
Outdated drivers and firmware can cause problems with SSDs. Updating them to the latest version can help fix the problem.
For this method, you need to access the Windows Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting the corresponding option. Then, expand the Disk drives category, right-click and click on Update driver for the faulty SSD.
Use the energy cycle method
If your SSD is not working properly, before you think about formatting or replacing it, you can try the power cycle method .
This involves shutting down your PC , removing the power cable from the SSD , and turning the computer on and off several times. This way, you can reset the SSD without erasing the data you have stored. It’s a simple but effective solution to give your SSD a new lease on life.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power.
- Remove the case from your PC and remove the SSD.
- Disconnect the SATA data cable.
- Restart your computer and enter BIOS and wait for an hour.
- Now, unplug the power cable from the drive for a couple of minutes.
- Reconnect the SATA cables and power cable and restart the PC.
Use BIOS settings
If your SSD is not working properly, one of the reasons could be in the storage interface, an option you can change from your PC’s BIOS .
To enter the BIOS, restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually Delete, F2, or F10) repeatedly until the menu opens. Once inside, look for the option that controls the storage interface.
This is usually called RAID or AHCI , and is usually in the advanced settings. If AHCI was set as the default option, change to the RAID option and save your changes, then restart your computer.
Use the CHKDSK command
The CHKDSK command allows you to delete corrupted data and check the status of your drive. To do this, you must run it from the Terminal , you need to use some parameters (/f, /r and /x) that tell the system how to act.
The first step is to open Terminal as an administrator. Then, you need to type the following command:
chkdsk /f /r /x [drive path]
Where [drive path] is the letter of the drive that contains the SSD you want to repair. This way, each and every problem present on the hard drive can be fixed.
Recover your SSD with TestDisk
When it comes to MBR and boot drive partitions, TestDisk can be your hero. This third-party program, although not included in the system by default, can be downloaded and launched from its folder.
The program, which you should download from this link , will guide you through the recovery of deleted partitions and offers an opportunity to change the fate of your faulty SSD. With a meticulous approach, you can regain the functionality of your drive.
- After you have the tool on your PC, run testdisk_win.exe.
- With the Create option highlighted, press Enter to create a log file.
- TestDisk will show you a list of available storage drives. Select the SSD you want to repair and click Enter .
- Select Intel as the partition table type and press Enter .
- In the next window switch to Analyze and press Enter .
- Select Quick Search and then Enter .
- TestDik will show deleted partitions with the prefix D .
- At this point, use the arrow keys to change D to P and once again press Enter .
- Change the Write option and press Enter .
- Finally, press Y and then Enter .
Use Windows Disk Management
If you have tried all the above solutions and your SSD is still having problems, you may have one last option left: Disk Management . By formatting the drive with the option to scan for bad sectors enabled, you can try to repair it.
Uncheck the Perform a quick format option and click OK . By applying these methods, you will be able to address various issues affecting SSD drives and potentially restore their functionality.