Hi everyone!
My 1TB My Passport drive has started making more noise than usual lately. Is that normal or does it mean something’s going wrong? I’ve got a lot of stuff on it so I’m a bit worried.
Thanks!
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External HDD suddenly noisy
Started by
Janemi
, Jun 30 2025 05:51 PM
8 replies to this topic
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#2
Porthos
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Posted 30 June 2025 - 07:14 PM
If the data is important, I suggest getting another device to copy the data to.
Drives are less expensive than data recovery if needed.
Then you can test the drive using WD tools.
#3
wee-eddie
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Posted 01 July 2025 - 01:20 AM
Porthos is right.
Do not even plug it in, until you have a drive to Back-up its contents.
It may last, but you can no longer rely on it.
#4
Allan
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Posted 01 July 2025 - 06:25 AM
What type of noise is it making? If it's a frequent whirring noise, that is just activity. If it's a clicking sound, the drive is in trouble.
#5
Janemi
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Posted 02 July 2025 - 08:01 AM
Thanks for the replies.
There are some important files on there so I'm going to back them up to another drive just to be safe.
#6
Janemi
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Posted 02 July 2025 - 08:03 AM
What type of noise is it making? If it's a frequent whirring noise, that is just activity. If it's a clicking sound, the drive is in trouble.
There wasn’t a click, it was more of a whirring sound. It used to run quieter and now it’s a lot louder.
#7
Allan
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Posted 02 July 2025 - 08:30 AM
First, you should ALWAYS have backups of important data.
If the whirring sound is significantly louder than in the past, it could be a sign the drive is deteriorating. If the volume is only sometimes louder, it may be a sign of intermittent high activity on the drive. Regardless, as has been pointed out in this thread, backups are always essential.
#8
wee-eddie
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Posted 02 July 2025 - 08:38 AM
The thing about Backups is that the odds of all three copies going at the same time are pretty long.
You have Number 1 Copy, on your PC.
Number 2 Copy, on an External Drive.
and
Number 3 Copy, on another Drive, kept in a safe place, preferably, elsewhere. - In my case, in a fireproof box - on a concrete floor.
In my case, Number 2, is every Sunday morning and Number 3, is on the 1st of the month.
Now, as long as you actually do make your Backups regularly, your failing drive could easily become Drive Number 2, as the likelihood of 1 & 3 failing, at the same time, are relatively slim
#9
JohnC_21
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Posted 02 July 2025 - 11:24 AM
After backing up your data you can check the drive with WD's Drive Utilities.
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