How to Repair Failed Hard Drive on Mac?

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Is your Mac’s hard drive not working anymore? Wondering how to get back your important stuff from it? No worries, this article has the answers. Find out how to save your files from a broken or messed-up hard drive on your Mac. With simple steps guided by experts, you can recover your stuff from a hard drive that stopped working. Try using the Remo Recover Mac Software for the best and quickest results. Get ready to rescue your important files!

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Facing a Failed or damaged hard drive on your Mac can be super frustrating and could even risk your files. But don't stress! This guide will help you follow simple steps to figure out what's wrong, fix it, and keep your important stuff safe. Whether you use tools that come with your Mac, ask experts for help, or prevent problems in the first place, you'll be ready to handle this tough situation and make sure your important data stays secure.

Common Causes of Failed Hard Drives on Mac

Here are some common reasons why hard drives might fail on a Mac:

Physical DamageAccidental drops can harm the delicate components of the hard drive, causing it to fail.
Age and WearOver time, the internal parts of a hard drive can wear out, leading to failure.
Heat and DustExcessive heat and dust buildup can affect the hard drive's performance and lead to failure.
Software ErrorsProblems with the operating system or software can disrupt the hard drive's function and result in failure.
Power SurgesSudden power fluctuations can harm the hard drive's electronic components, leading to failure.
Manufacturing DefectsHard drives can sometimes have manufacturing defects that lead to early failure.

To prevent these issues and prolong the life of your hard drive, it's important to take care of your Mac, keep it cool, and regularly back up your data.

What are the Signs of a Failed Hard Drive on a Mac

Here's how you can tell if your Mac's hard drive is failing:

  • Weird Noises: The hard drive might be in trouble if your Mac makes strange sounds like clicks or grinding.
  • Super Slow: If your Mac becomes very slow or crashes a lot, the hard drive could be failing.
  • Keeps Crashing: The hard drive might fail if your Mac keeps crashing or restarting unexpectedly.
  • Blue Screens: Seeing blue screens or weird error messages means the hard drive might have issues.
  • Disk Errors: If Disk Utility says your hard drive has problems it can't fix, that's a red flag.
  • Boot Problems: The hard drive might fail if your Mac can't start or shows a folder with a question mark.

If you see these signs, make sure to save your important stuff and consider getting help from experts.

How to Fix a Failed Hard Drive on Mac

how-to-fix-a-failed-hard-disk-on-mac

If your external hard drive is acting up and you're unable to access your important data, this easy-to-follow guide offers 4 effective methods to repair a failed hard drive on your Mac. These methods can be real lifesavers, and trying them out could potentially rescue your hard drive and data.

  1. Using Remo Recover Mac- If your external hard drive is corrupted, Remo Recover Mac can come to the rescue. Follow these steps:
  1. Connect Your External Hard Drive and Make It Work Using the "Mount" Option- When your computer doesn't automatically show your external hard drive, you can fix it by manually making it work. 
  1. Fixing Failed Hard Drives with First Aid- If your external hard drive is acting up because of unexpected program errors or other issues, you can use First Aid. 

Give these methods a try. They can often help repair a failed hard drive on your Mac, bringing back lost data and getting things working again.

Method 1: How to Recover Data from Failed Hard-drive on Mac Using Remo Recover Mac 

Remo Recover Mac is a handy tool that helps you find and bring back your missing or deleted files on your Mac. This software can find if you've lost photos, documents, or anything else. It's easy to use and can rescue your important stuff.

here are the steps to recover data from a failed hard drive on Mac using Remo Recover Mac:

Step 1: Download and install Remo Recover Mac software on your computer.

Step 2: Open the software, select the failed hard drive, and click on Scan.

select the drive and click on Scan

Step 3: Once the QuickScan is completed, click on Dynamic Recovery view to see the initial recoveries from the drive.

view the initially recovered data from the drive

Step 4: Locate your lost files under Lost and Found and Deleted Files Folders. Use Advanced filters and a Search box to make the locating process easier.

locate the recovered files and folders

Step 5: Double-click to preview the recovered data from the drive

Preview of the recovered data

Step 6: Select files to recover and choose a new destination to save them. Click on Recover to save the data

Remember to avoid using the failed hard drive further to prevent more damage. 

Method 2- Connect Your External Hard Drive and Make It Work Using the "Mount" Option

Mounting a drive means your computer understands it and lets you use it. Usually, the OS does this automatically and shows it for use. But sometimes, it doesn't work right, and you get an error. You can try to make the external hard drive work yourself in that case. Here's how on a Mac:

Step 1: Choose the drive you want to mount.

Step 2: Click the "Mount" button at the top.

connect your external hard drive and make it work using the mount option

If the issue is about mounting, this could help you access your device this way. If not, you can try the next method.

Method 3- Fixing Failed Hard Drives with First Aid

First Aid Utilities is another way to fix a broken external hard drive on Mac. This can help if the problem is from a surprise program error or something wrong with files on the external hard drive. Follow these easy steps to fix a corrupted external hard drive on your Mac:

Step 1: Choose the drive that's causing the problem.

Step 2: Find the "First Aid" option at the top, like in the picture.

Step 3: Click "First Aid" and hit the "Run" button.

fixing failed hard drive with first-aid

This can fix any unexpected errors on your external hard drive.

Note: learn how to partition your external hard drive on a Mac.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Fixing a broken hard drive on your Mac doesn't have to be hard. Follow these simple steps to repair it and avoid future issues. Learn what causes problems, use your tools, try recovery programs, and don't hesitate to ask for expert help. Stay calm and protect your data!

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if my hard drive is having problems?

If your Mac is acting slow, making weird noises, or your files are disappearing, your hard drive might be acting up. Use tools to check its health.

Can I use my hard drive like normal after fixing it?

Usually, yes. If the fixes work, your hard drive should be back to normal. But you might need a new hard drive if it happens a lot.

What should I do if I hear unusual noises from my hard drive?

Unusual noises often indicate physical damage. Stop using the drive immediately and consult a professional.

About the Author: John Harris

With a decade of experience in data recovery, John Harris, Senior Editor at Remo Software, is your go-to specialist. His focus includes partition management, Windows solutions, and data troubleshooting, delivering insightful content that serves both users and search engines. John's expertise shines through in illuminating blog posts, untangling data loss intricacies across diverse storage platforms.…