To maximize your hard drive’s longevity, keep the following factors in mind.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a reliable manufacturer when purchasing a hard drive.
Reputable brands have rigorous quality control processes, reducing the likelihood of defects that could cause early failure.
Jordan Gloor / How-To Geek
Seagate, Toshiba, and Western Digital are some of the most well-known HDD manufacturers.
Also, confirm the drive comes with a warranty!
Handle Your Hard Drive With Care
Dropping your hard drive can severely damage it.
Benj Edwards / How-To Geek
The impact can cause the read/write head to crash onto the spinning platters, scratching or damaging them.
Additionally, one common reason for hard drives arriving faulty is mishandling by the shipping carrier.
Avoid placing the drive on synthetic materials or clothing that can generate static electricity.
Kobzev Dmitry/Shutterstock.com
Using an anti-static mat is even better.
These precautions are especially crucial when handling external drives.
When storing unused or external hard drives, use an anti-static bag to protect them from static charges.
Karen Roach/Shutterstock.com
This also ensures the drive is not actively spinning or engaged in read/write operations when you unplug it.
Because of these reasons, it is important to always eject the drive before disconnecting it.
Learn how tosafely eject a drive on WindowsandmacOS.
Prolonged or severe power surges or voltage changes can still cause significant damage.
Therefore, it is important to use a high-quality PSU (Power Supply Unit).
High-quality PSUsfrom reputable manufacturers provide stable power.
They are constructed from quality materials and have undergone rigorous testing to minimize the risk of operational failure.
Keep Your Drive Safe From Overheating
Overheating significantly shortens the lifespan of a hard drive.
You should maintain the operating temperature of the hard drive below 55C even during heavy usage.
To maintain the temperature of your hard drive, you should ensureyour computer doesnt overheat.
Also, avoid overcrowding your gear case with too many components.
You should also monitor the temperature of your hard drive.
Its recommended to maintain a humidity level between 40-50 percent.
It will protect your hard drive and other electronics.
To take care of external hard drives, ensure you use sealed and weather-resistant enclosures for them.
Get a Surge Protector
A surge protector protects sensitive electronics within your machine from voltage spikes.
Installing such a surge protector not only protects the hard drive but also other components, particularly your PSU.
Also, regularly check the surge protectors indicator lights to check that it is working properly.
Experiencing premature hard drive failure can be devastating, especially if you rely on it for backups.
You should alsoregularly monitor the health of your drive.
If you notice any issues, take prompt action to protect it from further damage.
