What are the symptoms of a broken solid-state drive

Feb 26,2025

When a solid state drive (SSD) is damaged, it usually exhibits various symptoms, which may affect the overall performance of the computer and even lead to data loss. Here are some common manifestations of solid-state drive damage:

1. System startup issue: Slow startup speed: SSD's startup speed is usually much faster than traditional mechanical hard drives. If the startup time suddenly increases, it may be a sign of SSD problems- Unable to start: In extreme cases, complete damage to the SSD may cause the system to fail to start, resulting in black screens, no response, and other issues.

2. Slow file access: - Slow file transfer speed: SSDs usually have fast read and write speeds. If you notice a significant decrease in file opening, saving, or transfer speed, it may be a signal that the SSD is about to fail- Files cannot be read or written: Sometimes, some areas of the SSD may have "bad blocks" that prevent files from being read or written properly.

3. System instability: - Frequent blue screens or system crashes: Firmware or hardware issues with SSDs may cause the system to frequently experience blue screens, crashes, or crashes- No response or crash: The system or application may suddenly become unresponsive or crash during operation, which may be related to the read and write stability of the SSD.

4. Data loss or corruption: - File corruption: Data on SSDs may be damaged due to hardware failures, causing files to be unable to be opened or their contents to be disordered- Data loss: Some files or the entire partition's data may suddenly disappear, which may be due to SSD partition table damage or storage unit failure.

5. Error prompts and warnings:- SMART error prompt: Many modern computers have the function of detecting the health status of the hard drive (SMART technology). When the SSD encounters a problem, the BIOS or monitoring software may display a SMART error prompt, reminding the user that the hard drive is about to fail- Identification issue: In the operating system, SSDs may not be recognized correctly or their total available space may suddenly decrease.

6. Abnormal noise: Although SSDs do not have mechanical components, in some cases, abnormal noise may occur if their electronic components are severely damaged, but this is not a common manifestation of SSD failure.

In the face of SSD failure, the hard drive should be stopped and data backup should be performed (if possible). Then, you can try refreshing the firmware of the SSD or checking if there are any latest updates that can solve the problem. If none of these operations can repair the fault, it may be necessary to replace the SSD with a new one.

To avoid SSD failures, users should regularly perform data backups, avoid exposing the SSD to high temperatures for extended periods of time, and refrain from excessive write operations to the SSD to prevent premature depletion of its lifespan. Meanwhile, choosing a reliable SSD brand and model is also an important measure to prevent malfunctions.