This article will discuss the topic of how long do external hard drives last. The average lifespan of external hard disk drives varies depending on the brand, reliability, performance, and how frequently you are using it. But in general, hard drives last between 3 to 5 years.
Factors that can shorten or lengthen this time frame are how often you use the external hard drive, whether the hard disk has been used in extreme conditions, prolonged exposure to humidity, or excessive vibration. However, the most crucial factor in determining a driver’s lifespan is its usage – the more you will use it, the faster it will fill up and consequently fail.
What is the lifespan of an external hard drive?
Most external hard drives are meant for short-term backups or data storage and are designed to last three years. The lifespan of an external hard disk is generally between 3-5 years. However, the lifespan varies depending on the type of external drive since some are not designed for continuous use while others might be used more frequently. So, it is better one should always check with the manufacturing company to determine how long their specific product lasts before needing replacement.
What are the Signs of a Failing Hard Drive?
A few signs can indicate that the external hard disk is failing. One of the main signs is that it starts freezing or crashing more often than usual when you connect the hard drive with the computer. Another significant sign is when your system takes a long time to start up or load files. If you notice that your hard drive is making strange noises, such as clicking or grinding noises, that’s also a sign that it might be failing. If you’re not sure whether the hard drive is failing or not, you can use a program like HDsentinel to check its health.
What is the common reason for hard drive failures?
It is hard to determine the exact causes that bring about disc failure. Still, they can often be attributed to physical causes such as shock or vibration, running a hard drive in extreme temperature or prolonged, dust, virus or malware infected program attack, sudden power failure, physical damage on the disk surface, and many others.
How to stop hard drives from failures?
You can follow several methods to prevent an external hard drive from failing. Here are some helpful tips to avoid the hard drive from failure:
Keep your external hard drive clean and free of dust:
If you want your hard drive and computer to work well, make sure it is not full of dust. This is because dust may cause the computer fan to work improperly. In turn, this will result in overheating and damage to your hard drive. And also, dust is hazardous for other components of computers.
Keep the internal temperature of the computer low:
The hardware components of your computer may not last long if you keep it in an environment where heat is always present. The recommended storage temperature for computers ranges from 14 to 22 degrees Celsius; anything higher than this can cause severe damage to your hard drive and other critical parts of your computer.
The same thing applies if you leave your laptop in places where the temperature is freezing; this can also cause a problem. So, you should make sure that your system is never put in an environment with extreme temperatures. As much as possible, store your computer inside a place where the temperature remains at the proper level.
Use good an antivirus
Antivirus programs protect your computer from malware and viruses. This software is developed to fight against viruses and malware-infected programs to keep your computer safe. A harmful program can severely damage your system and your external hard drive. So, if you don’t have an antivirus program installed on your computer, install it and run a full system scan.
Defrag hard disk
A hard drive could fail if you don’t maintain it regularly. If you’re not familiar with this term, let me explain it; defragging is a process that optimizes the way files are stored on your hard drive. Doing this will help improve the speed of your hard drive and prevent crashes from happening. It’s a crucial step in maintaining your hard disk health, so make sure to do this at least once a week!
Protect hard drive from sudden power failure
A sudden power failure might not seem like a big deal at first—it’s just a momentary lapse in electricity, after all. But one of the most critical parts of any computer is its hard drive, which stores all the data on your machine. It is common for a power outage to result in file corruption or even total data loss on a hard drive.
Use SSD Hard drive
There are several reasons why an SSD hard drive is more reliable than a regular hard drive. For example, an SSD hard drive has no moving parts, making it less likely to fail. Additionally, an SSD hard drive is quieter and cooler-running than a regular hard drive because there is no spinning disk. And also, SSD hard drives are more resistant to shocks and vibrations, making them ideal for more extended use.
FAQs on how long do external hard drive last
Can a hard drive last ten years?
There is no definite answer to this question as it depends on several factors. The life of a hard drive generally depends on the number of reading/write operations that it undergoes surrounding temperature (where you’re using).
Even computer internal temperature can damage drive health if a system is not working correctly. Generally, hard drives tend to last longer if you used them carefully.
Which lasts longer, SSD or HDD?
Many features make the SSD hard drive more reliable and last longer than HDD. But it also depends on how you’re using SDD. If you’re using the hard drive for work that requires a lot of reading and writing, then the hard drive will wear out sooner. But if you’re using them for entertainment, like storing movies and music, I think the hard disk will last longer.
Is HDD suitable for long-term storage?
Yes, HDD is a good option for long-term storage; if you’re not using it as a primary hard drive.
