Top 5 Signs Your Hard Disk is Dying

A hard disk is one of the most important components of a personal computer. With time, it will become slow and sluggish. This is a common scenario in gaming PCs. However, if you are aware of the signs of a failing hard drive, you can take some steps to ensure that you can either fix it or have enough time to transfer personal data.
Signs of a Dying Hard Disk

Sluggish Performance

Amongst the common signs of a dying hard disk is sluggish performance. If you notice that the startup time of your computer has increased in a relatively short amount of time, chances are that the hard disk is breathing its last. Plus, if you notice that the programs are taking comparatively longer to upload, this is another potential sign of your hard disk dying.

When it comes to the sluggish performance of your hard disk, there could be several reasons for it. Voltage fluctuations, unexpected power interruptions can damage your hard disk, and eventually, it will impact your PC’s performance.

Missing Or Corrupt Files and Folders

Frequently missing or corrupting files and folders can also be an indication of a dying hard disk. If you’re losing your files too often or if your files are not loading for apparently no reason, it might be an indication of a hard disk drive issue.

There are several programs out there that might fix the issue but if it is mechanical, it cannot be repaired.  However, then again, do make sure that it is free from malware or corrupt Windows in the first place. 

Programs Do Not Work Properly

As mentioned earlier, programs taking relatively longer or not loading properly is a sign of a dying hard disk. The reason is that in such cases if the program is not able to find essential files, it will simply fail to load properly. You can try some solutions to fix the issue but if the hard disk is beyond repairable, it will just be a temporary fix. You can try reinstalling the program but chances are that it will corrupt again after some time. 

Windows Fails to Start

Upon turning on your computer and you notice that Windows is failing to start, you can assume either a corrupt Windows installation or a drying hard disk. On the other hand, if the system boots properly but the Windows does not, then it is a sure sign of a failing hard disk. 

We suggest that you first determine the health of your hard disk and then repair Windows if the hard disk seems to be fine.

Constant BSODs

If you experience a regular “Blue Screen of Death”, it might be pointing towards a failing hard disk or any other component. This situation occurs when Windows is not able to locate essential files. Furthermore, when a hard disk has progressed to this point, it is relatively difficult to retrieve the data. 

You will need to remove the hard disk and use a separate computer to back up the data using a hard drive dock or USB adapter.