How to Know If SSD Is Failing? 6 Major Signs and Countermeasures

6 Signs of Your SSD Is Failing

Your SSD is the heart of your computer's speed and performance, but like any piece of tech, it won’t last forever. Over time, even the best SSDs can start to show signs of wear. Catching these early warning signs leaves you time to save your files or replace a failing SSD. Here's how to tell if your SSD might be on its way out:

System Slowness or Freezing

If your computer suddenly feels sluggish, especially when opening large files or booting up, it could be a sign that your SSD is failing. SSDs rely on flash memory chips that wear out over time.

As they approach their limits, read/write speeds can degrade, causing delays in your system. You might notice:

• Slow file transfers: Transferring even small files takes longer than usual.
• Longer boot times: Your PC or laptop takes longer to start up, and apps take forever to load.

Frequent Crashes and System Errors

Is your system crashing more often, or are you getting the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)? While these can be caused by many things, an SSD starting to fail is a common culprit.

When the SSD starts to malfunction, it may not be able to read or write data properly, leading to:

• Random system freezes: The computer becomes unresponsive, and you have to force a restart.
• Frequent errors: Messages like “Operating System not found” or “Boot device not found” may appear when starting up.

Corrupted or Missing Files

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to open a file and finding it’s either corrupted or completely missing. As your SSD starts to fail, it can lead to data corruption. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Files failing to open: Documents or programs that worked perfectly fine yesterday now give error messages.
• Unexplained file disappearance: Files that you've recently worked on suddenly seem to vanish, and no amount of searching or recovery attempts can bring them back.

SSD Is No Longer Detected

This is one of the most alarming signs. If your SSD suddenly disappears from the system, or the computer fails to recognize it altogether, it might be in the process of failing.

In some cases, the drive might still show up in the BIOS/UEFI, but the system won’t load from it. This could point to a serious issue with the drive’s internal circuitry or connection.

SMART Status Warnings

Most modern SSDs come with built-in Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART), which tracks the health of the drive and warns you if it’s deteriorating. If you check your SMART status and find that the Reallocated Sector Count or Wear Leveling Count is high, it means the drive is struggling. These readings indicate:

• Reallocated sectors: The drive has had to replace damaged sectors with spare ones.
• High wear levels: Your SSD has used up a significant percentage of its lifespan (measured by the number of write/erase cycles).

You can check the SMART status of your SSD using built-in tools or third-party software like CrystalDiskInfo.

Excessive Heat

SSDs are generally more resistant to heat than HDDs, but they still need to stay cool to function optimally. If your SSD is overheating, it could be a sign of an underlying problem.

Excessive heat can cause the flash memory chips to degrade faster, leading to failure. If you notice your SSD or system running hot, especially during routine tasks, it’s worth investigating further.

What to Do If SSD Is Failing: Step-by-Step Guide to Save Your OS and Data

If you suspect that your SSD is failing, it’s essential to act quickly. Otherwise, you can’t boot from it and access data on it. You can try the following methods to get your OS and data from the drive.

1. Backup Your Data Immediately

When dealing with a failing SSD, the first priority is to back up your data. The more you delay, the higher the risk of losing important files forever. Here’s how to do it:

• Use an external drive: If your SSD is still accessible, connect it to another computer or external enclosure and transfer files to an external hard drive manually.
• Cloud backup: Upload critical documents, photos, and videos to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
• Use cloning software: Reliable cloning software like AOMEI Cloner can transfer data from one SSD to another, e.g., OS, programs, personal data, etc., and allows you to replace a failing hard drive with a new one.

2. Run Diagnostics to Confirm the Issue

Once your data is backed up, the next step is to run diagnostic checks to understand the extent of the damage and confirm if the SSD is failing. Here’s how:

• Use built-in diagnostic tools: Run the CHKDSK command or check the SSD’s SMART status (using wmic diskdrive get status).

• Third-party software: Tools like CrystalDiskInfo(for Windows) or Samsung Magician(for Samsung SSDs) can check the SSD’s health, including important SMART data like wear level and reallocated sectors.

If these diagnostics indicate a problem, such as too many reallocated sectors or bad blocks, it’s time to consider replacing the drive.

3. Update or Reinstall Drivers and Firmware

Sometimes, SSD issues are related to outdated or corrupted drivers and firmware, rather than actual hardware failure. Here’s what you can do to troubleshoot:

• Update SSD firmware: Manufacturers often release firmware updates that address bugs, improve performance, and fix issues. Go to the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Samsung, Crucial, Western Digital) and download the latest firmware version for your SSD.
• Reinstall or update drivers: In some cases, faulty drivers can cause issues similar to SSD failure. Check for updates to your storage controller or AHCI drivers through Device Manager. If you already have the latest drivers, try to reinstall them.

4. Reformat the SSD (If You Can Still Access It)

If your SSD is still working, reformatting the drive might help resolve issues related to software corruption, especially if the SSD has bad sectors or file system errors.

Go to Disk Management, right-click the SSD, and choose Format. Make sure to select the correct file system (usually NTFS for Windows) and the option Perform a quick format is checked. Then, click OK to start the formatting process.

✅Important: Reformatting will erase all data on the SSD, so ensure you’ve backed up everything you need before proceeding.

5. Consider Replacing the SSD

If diagnostics confirm that your SSD is indeed failing (for example, a high number of reallocated sectors or errors that can’t be fixed), the only solution may be to replace the drive. Here’s what you should consider:

• Be sure you have a copy of your files before replacing the drive.
• Check the warranty. If your SSD is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
• Choose a new SSD with the right interface (SATA, M.2, PCIe/NVMe, etc), size (2.5-inch, 2280, 2230, etc), and desired disk types. HDDs for larger capacity and SSDs for fast speed.
• Employ a reliable SSD cloning software. AOMEI Cloner offers users 3 cloning methods that can clone any type of disk, e.g., HDDs/SSDs, MBR/GPT disks, SATA/M.2/PCIe, etc., even with different sizes. You can also use it to clone OS only or specific partitions.

Free download it to have a try!

You can refer to the following articles based on your needs:

• How to Clone SSD to New SSD Without Reinstalling Windows
• How to Clone a Failing Hard Drive to New Drive [All Data]
• How to Transfer C Drive to New SSD in Windows (3 Steps)
• How to Clone M.2 SSD with Only One Slot: A Complete Guide
• How to Clone Windows 11/10 to NVMe SSD: Step-by-Step Guide

Conclusion: SSD Failing? Take Action Now!

How to know if SSD is failing? You can confirm this by the above 6 signs. If it’s failing, then act quickly to protect your OS and data to minimize downtime. RememberSSDs may not last forever, but with regular monitoring and proactive care, you can extend their lifespan and avoid unexpected failures.