Most usually go with the latter without much thought. But what if you can get the SSD working? Read ahead to find out.

What are the symptoms of drive failure?

While the SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) are completely different in storing data, a common aspect is that both fail sooner or later. Though the former has a considerably longer life span. An SSD can last 10 years or more, while an HDD usually wears out after 4-6 years. The reason, SSDs have no moving parts, as opposed to HDDs. But it’s imperative that you identify the signs of a failing SSD before it’s completely dead for several reasons. Here are a few things to look out for:

Get errors while reading or writing files: When a drive is about to fail, it will throw errors when accessing or saving files to certain locations. Computer slows down: A slow computer could be a sign of a falling SSD, though remember, that’s not the only reason. Issues booting the PC: If you are unable to boot Windows and get an error frequently, chances are the SSD is to blame. Applications start to crash: In many cases, the applications crash when the SSD is dead, and you need to fix things to run them again.

How do I fix a dead SSD drive?

Before we head to the complex solutions, try these:

Make sure the connections are in order. Remove the SATA cable from the SSD and then plug it back in just to be sure. Unplug other non-critical peripherals from the PC, and then connect the SSD. Plug the SSD into another computer to verify whether it’s dead or the previous PC couldn’t read it. If it’s the latter, replace the cable and check the ports. For the former, the other solutions here will help. Update the BIOS since it could an issue there that’s giving the impression that the SSD is dead.

If you can’t figure things out, move to the next fixes.

1. Keep the SSD in an idle state

Though strange, this is one of the most common techniques to fix a dead SSD. The idea here is to let the SSD be idle for an extended period to get it to work. If that doesn’t help, head to the next solution. SPONSORED

2. Reset the BIOS

Oftentimes, an issue with the BIOS makes us think that the SSD is dead, and resetting it helps fix things in no time.

3. Update the SSD’s firmware

After downloading and installing the firmware update, check if it can fix the dead SSD. For many users, it did the trick, and we recommend you update the SSD firmware.

4. Update the SSD drivers

Updating drivers is critical for the effective functioning of every device, including the SSD. So, make sure you have the latest ones. If Windows doesn’t find an update, you can always manually install the latest drivers, though it’s more time-consuming. Alternatively, you can use dedicated updater software such as DriverFix that automatically scans your PC for outdated drivers and install the corresponding version for your hardware.

5. Run the Check Disk utility

That’s it! One of the solutions presented here should have helped you fix the dead SSD drive. In case the problem persists, we recommend you get in touch with the official manufacturer or a local technician to get the hardware inspected. Also, if there are critical files on the drive that you would like to salvage, check the best data recovery tools to retrieve them. If you have any queries or want to share a solution that worked for you, drop a comment below.

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