It is not a necessarily fatal error when you hear a clicking sound from your hard drive during operations, though this should not happen.
You can fix it in a couple of easy ways, provided you have the necessary expertise. Otherwise, it is best to seek help from a professional repair service.
In this article you will learn about the causes and fixes to the issue of a hard drive clicking. So, dive in.
In This Article
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The clicking sound of the hard drive may be caused by the disk head getting stuck on the platter.
- The stuck disk head on the platter can be set back to its position in the landing zone manually, but with extreme caution.
- You may also need to replace the disk head if it gets stuck again.
What are the Reasons for a Hard Drive to Make Clicking Sound?
The most common reason for a hard drive to make clicking sound while operating is when it gets stuck on the disk platter.
Some other significant reasons for such a thing to happen are:
- Insufficient power supply
- Issues with the power supply
- Spinning error
- Issues with the connection cable
- Incompatible cable
- Physical damage caused to the hard drive
- Hardware issues
- Overheating
- Issues in the service area
- Damaged disk platter
- Wear and tear
- Issues in the Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
- Manufacturing defects
Ways to Fix Hard Drive Clicking
If the hard drive is not physically damaged beyond repair and does not need a complete replacement, in most cases, relieving the stuck disc on the platter is one effective way to resolve the issue of a clicking hard drive.
However, it is always best to start with the basic troubleshooting before following the advanced solutions. Some of the initial fixes that you should try to fix a clicking hard drive are:
- Checking power supply and fixing it if it is insufficient or improper
- Checking that the connectors are okay and properly connected and replacing them if they are damaged. Loose or incompatible
- Checking for any signs of physical damage and replacing the unit
- Trying to resolve errors in the hard drive, if any, with a third-party tool
- Cooling or freezing the hard drive if overheating is the issue
If these do not resolve the issue, try these advanced professional solutions.
Method 1: Manually Relieving the Disk from the Platter
The clicking sound of the hard drive can be resolved by relieving the disc from the platter manually.
Note: This process should be followed with extreme caution in a dust-free room and after taking proper backup of the hard drive. Any damages caused during the process or any foreign body entering the drive may cause permanent damage to it and loss of data.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
- Remove all screws from the hard drive.
(There may be a few screws hidden under the label. You may remove the label, if you do not mind the aesthetic damage later on, to unscrew them or trace them from the top of the label and then remove them).
When you are done removing the screws and the hard drive cover, you will see that the disk is stuck on the platter, as shown in the image below:
- Hold the screwdriver on top of the screw at the center of the disk (spindle).
- Turn it clockwise to spin the disc which will push the disk head gently to move it to the landing zone.
Sometimes, the disk may not move easily back to the landing zone. In that case you will need to move the screw on the disk clockwise and anticlockwise simultaneously. It should work.
If it still does not, then hold the screwdriver in the hole on the arm of the disk head, as shown in the image below, and push it gently so that the head moves all the way back to the landing zone.
Now replace the cover and all the screws. Connect the hard drive to your computer and check whether the clicking sound has stopped or not. It should.
If that did not work, you may have to remove the disk head entirely.
Method 2: Replace the Disk Head
You may replace the disk head completely if it gets stuck again and emits the clicking sound.
Note: Once again, this step should be performed with adequate care and expertise. Otherwise, it is best to get repaired by a professional hard drive repair service.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
- If you have an additional hard drive lying down that is good and suitable, you can use its disk head in your affected hard drive. Mark it as donor.
- Remove the screws from the affected hard drive.
- Lock the disk head so that it does not move while removing and damaging the disc platter.
- Remove the screw fixing the disk head.
- Take the disk head out carefully from the actuator axis.
- Remove the screws from the donor drive and repeat the process to take its disk head out.
- Replace it into the affected hard drive.
- Remove the lock.
- Fix all screws back in place.
Now, connect the hard drive to your PC and test whether it is still emitting the sound or not.
Conclusion
Though in most cases you will need to replace the hard drive or get it repaired by a pro, there are a few solutions you can try to fix a clicking hard drive, if you know what you are doing.