SSDs are faster and more reliable than older HDDs, but they have an expiry date and won’t last forever. They can also get corrupted due to physical damage or environmental factors, putting you at risk of sudden data loss.

Nobody likes losing their data, and it’s worth knowing how to repair simple SSD issues even if you have a cloud storage backup. Doing basic maintenance and error checking can also prolong your SSD’s life so it stays working for longer. Here’s how to fix your SSD if it’s having issues.

Your SSD isn’t detected

Simple troubleshooting steps

Sometimes an external SSD won’t be detected by your PC. You can also experience this with internal SSDs running your OS. Here are some easy fixes to try.

For internal M.2 SSDs ensure the drive is seated correctly in the slot. Also try removing it from the slot, then use a brush to remove any dust or grime on the SSD contacts. Do the same on the slot before reseating it. If the PC still doesn’t detect it, you can try using a spare slot if it has one to see if there’s a difference.

For older SATA SSDs, you can follow a similar process. This time you’ll need to check the power and data cables for signs of damage and ensure they’re seated correctly on the drive and motherboard. You can also try replacing the cables with new ones to see if it will work.

External SSDs usually have a single USB cable connecting them to your PC. First check that the cable is connected securely at both ends. If it’s still not working, try using another USB port or another cable if you have one. If the cable is damaged, you’ll need to buy a new one.

If the above methods don’t work, try software, like CrystalDiskInfo or the built-in Windows Device Manger that may be able to find your SSDs if Windows isn’t detecting them. Also check for physical damage, like damaged connectors that may be causing the issue.

Your SSD is slow or displaying error messages

Scan for errors

Sometimes your PC will detect your SSD, but it might run slow, or freeze when you’re trying to copy data. It might also display error messages or freeze up. Here are the easiest ways to troubleshoot these issues.

The first and easiest method is to use the Windows Error Checking tool. Just navigate to your drive in Windows Explorer, right-click on it, then go to Properties. Click on the Tools tab, then click on Check under the Error checking sub-menu. If it detects immediate errors, it will display a message asking if it should repair the drive. Click on Repair drive to run the tool. This utility is the graphical interface for the chkdsk command and does the same thing.

You can try using third-party software, like your SSD’s vendor app or CrystalDiskInfo to monitor your SSD’s health and check for errors. I prefer starting with a vendor app, like Seagate’s SeaTools because it can update the SSD to the latest firmware.

After updating the firmware, I run the test utilities to search for drive issues. I like that these apps display the drive’s overall health as a percentage and show the TBW (Total Bytes Written) figure, so I have an idea of how much life it has left. Sometimes the SSD is slow for simple reasons like insufficient free space or minor, fixable errors.

You can’t access the data on the SSD

Free recovery apps can help

In some cases, your PC will recognize your SSD, but won’t display the data. It’s best to start at the bottom and use the utilities mentioned in the previous section to scan for errors or corruptions. You should also scan for malware that might have locked the partitions or deleted files.

If those solutions don’t work, you can try recovery software, like Disk Drill or Ontrack Easy Recovery to search for your data. These tools scan your SSDs storage blocks and data structures to identify your files, then restore them to a different drive. They are effective, but their results depend on many factors, like the level of corruption, and physical damage.

The process is as simple as it gets in Disk Drill. Install and run the app. Then select the drive from the list and click on Search for lost data on the blue tab. The app will scan the drive and categorize the files by type, like pictures, documents and audio. When it’s done, it will give you the option to back them up to another drive.