A clicking hard drive is never a good sign. The clicking sound, which is caused by the read/write heads literally banging against the platters, indicates a mechanical failure that often leads to total failure and permanent data loss. However, in many cases, data can still be recovered from a clicking hard drive using specialized tools and techniques. Here’s what you need to know about clicking hard drives and how to recover data from them.
What Causes A Hard Drive To Click?
There are a few potential causes of a clicking hard drive:
Failing Read/Write Heads
The most common cause is that the read/write heads have become misaligned and are physically striking the platters. This usually indicates a mechanical failure of the actuator arm that controls head movement.
Degraded Firmware
Outdated, buggy, or failing firmware that controls the hard drive hardware can also cause improper head positioning and clicking.
Stiction
Stiction occurs when the heads stick to the platter surface, causing a click each time they are pulled away. This is often caused by moisture or oil contamination.
Damaged/Degraded Bearings
The bearings that allow the platter to spin can become worn out or damaged, causing the heads to strike the platter.
So in summary, any mechanical failure affecting head positioning can potentially lead to the clicking noise as the heads bang against internal components.
How Much Data Can Be Recovered From A Clicking Hard Drive?
It depends on the exact nature of the failure. In some cases, a large percentage of the data may still be intact and recoverable. In others, the drive may fail completely before anything can be recovered.
Some general guidelines:
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Intermittent Clicking – If the drive only clicks occasionally, the damage may be limited and a good amount of data can potentially be recovered.
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Clicking ThatProgresses – If the clicking is getting steadily worse, time may be limited to recover data before complete failure.
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No Spinning Platters – If you don’t hear the platters spinning, the chances of recovery are low.
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Severe Clicking – Harsh, pervasive clicking likely means heavy damage. But focused clicking from one area of the drive could still allow partial recovery.
So in the best case, a majority of data can likely be saved from an intermittently clicking drive. In the worst case, no data at all may be recoverable.
3 Ways To Recover Data From A Clicking Hard Drive
Here are 3 options for attempting DIY data recovery from a clicking hard drive, ranging from the easiest to most complex.
1. Use Recovery Software
This is the simplest method, but only works if the drive is at least partially readable. Software like Ontrack, EaseUS, or Stellar can scan drives and recover data from any accessible sectors.
- Connect the clicking drive to another computer via SATA, USB, etc.
- Run drive scanning/recovery software and select the clicking drive
- Select file types to scan for and destination to save recovered files
- Allow software to scan and recover files from any visible sectors
This approach is quick, easy, and can recover data if the clicking drive has not completely failed. But if the drive is not detected or data cannot be read, more advanced techniques are required.
2. Remove The Drive From Its Enclosure
The SATA enclosure that contains the hard drive can sometimes impede access to the drive itself. Removing the actual drive allows better access.
- Unscrew and open the external drive enclosure
- Unplug the SATA connector to remove bare drive
- Attach drive directly to computer via SATA cable
- Attempt recovery again with improved signal
Bypassing the enclosure electronics provides a stronger signal, allowing recovery software to access more sectors. This may make data recovery possible from a drive that was inaccessible in the enclosure.
3. Use A Professional Data Recovery Service
For clicks and mechanical issues indicating hardware failure, professional data recovery performed in a dust-free cleanroom is usually the only option. Specialized tools and techniques can potentially recover data in these cases:
- Head Swap – Manually replace read/write heads from a matching donor drive
- Platter Transplant – Move platters to a functioning drive to read data
- Bypass Electronics – Solder connections to bypass damaged control boards
- Repair Firmware – Fix bugs, adjust settings to stabilize drive operation
These professional methods are the most successful for mechanically failing clicking drives. But they are expensive, costing $300 or more depending on data amounts.
So if DIY software scans fail, professional recovery may retrieve data assumed to be lost on a clicking drive. But costs can be high once cleanroom work is required.
Can You Fix A Clicking Hard Drive To Use Again?
Technically, it is possible to repair and regain use of a clicking hard drive. However, this requires significant skill, cleanroom access, and replacement parts. The complex nature of hard drive failures and repairs often leads to low success rates.
In most cases, extensive repairs to stabilize a clicking drive are not cost-effective compared to just replacing the drive. Damaged internal components can also lead to future failures even if repaired initially.
For professional use, clicking drives can potentially be repaired and reused. But for regular consumers, repairing a clicking hard drive is very difficult and not typically recommended. Replacement is generally the more prudent option over repairing a clicking failed drive.
Takeaway Points On Clicking Hard Drives
- Clicking noises indicate the read/write heads are striking internal hardware
- Intermittent clicking may allow substantial data recovery
- Removing the drive from its enclosure can enable access
- Professional recovery in a cleanroom often retrieves data from clicking drives
- Repairing clicking drives is extremely difficult and rarely cost-effective
In summary, a clicking hard drive indicates mechanical failure but data is often still recoverable. Software scans, removing the drive from its enclosure, and professional recovery methods can all potentially retrieve data from a clicking drive before it completely fails.
