Hard Drive Health Check

How to Check Hard Drive Condition & Health

Hard drive health refers to the overall condition of a storage device and its ability to read, write, and store data without errors. It includes the physical integrity of components like platters and read/write heads in HDDs or memory cells in SSDs, along with the stability of the file system. A healthy drive operates efficiently, while a failing one may show signs such as slow access, bad sectors, or frequent errors.

Drive health affects performance because physical damage or logical errors lead to slower speeds and higher risk of data loss. To monitor health, Windows users use CHKDSK, Error Checking, or WMIC for SMART status. Mac users have Disk Utility’s First Aid for scanning and repairs. Linux users rely on smartctl and badblocks. Third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo (Windows), DriveDx (Mac), and GSmartControl (Linux) offer detailed reports and early warnings.

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Guide on Checking Hard Drive Health on Windows

To check hard drive health on Windows, follow these methods-

  • Use CHKDSK (Check Disk Utility)
  • Use Windows SMART Status Check
  • Use Disk Management
  • Use Windows Error Checking Tool
  • Use PowerShell to Check SMART Status

Use CHKDSK (Check Disk Utility)

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data. Repairs modify file system structures and may result in data loss if errors are severe.
  • Close open files and apps using the target drive to avoid lock conflicts.

Method 1- Run CHKDSK from Command Prompt (repairs and full control)

  • Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
  • To analyze only, run-
    • chkdsk C-
  • To scan and repair, run-
    • chkdsk C- /f /r
  • If the drive is in use, press Y to schedule the scan at the next restart, then reboot to begin the disk check. The scan takes a long time on large or error-prone disks.
  • After Windows loads, review results in Event Viewer under Windows Logs > Application > Source- Wininit for boot-time runs.

Method 2- Use Windows Error Checking in File Explorer (GUI-friendly)

  • Open File Explorer, right-click the target drive, select Properties.
  • Go to the Tools tab and click Check under Error checking, then follow prompts to scan and repair if needed.
  • This method invokes CHKDSK logic via a graphical flow and is ideal for quick checks without commands.

Method 3- Schedule a boot-time check for the system drive

  • For system partitions, use-
    • chkdsk C- /f /r
  • Confirm scheduling when prompted, then restart. CHKDSK runs before Windows fully loads so it can repair files that are otherwise locked.

Method 4- View detailed CHKDSK results in Event Viewer

  • Press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc, press Enter.
  • Navigate to Windows Logs > Application, filter for Source- Wininit (boot-time) or Chkdsk (online runs), and open the latest entry to read the summary of errors fixed and bad sectors found.

Pros of Using CHKDSK

  • Built into Windows, no extra software needed
  • Can repair file system errors and mark bad sectors
  • Works on both internal and external drives
  • Can run at boot to fix locked system files
  • Provides detailed logs in Event Viewer

Cons of Using CHKDSK

  • Full scans are time‑consuming on large drives
  • Requires administrator privileges
  • Command syntax may be difficult for beginners
  • Cannot fix severe physical hardware damage
  • May cause data loss if files are already corrupted and unrecoverable

Use Windows SMART Status Check

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data if you suspect drive issues.
  • Close apps using the target drive to avoid access conflicts.
  • Run terminals as administrator for consistent results.

Method 1: Check basic SMART status in Command Prompt

  • Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator.
  • Enter:
    • wmic diskdrive get status
  • Read the output. OK indicates no SMART-reported problems. Anything else suggests a risk that needs further investigation.
  • Image suggestion- Command Prompt window showing wmic diskdrive get status returning OK.

Method 2: Check failure prediction flag in Command Prompt

  • Open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Enter:
    • wmic /namespace-\\root\wmi path MSStorageDriver_FailurePredictStatus get PredictFailure,Reason,InstanceName
  • Review PredictFailure. False means no predicted failure. True indicates the drive is predicting a failure. Reason provides a vendor code for context.
  • Image suggestion- Command Prompt with PredictFailure=False for multiple drives.

Method 3: Check SMART status in PowerShell (modern)

  • Open Start, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell, select Run as administrator.
  • For a quick health view:
    • Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus
  • For failure prediction via WMI:
    • Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\wmi -Class MSStorageDriver_FailurePredictStatus | Select InstanceName, PredictFailure
  • HealthStatus should be Healthy. PredictFailure should be False.

Method 4: View SMART details with PowerShell for NVMe SSDs

  • On newer Windows builds that expose NVMe health, run-
    • Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, Usage, Size
  • Some systems also expose wear indicators through vendor drivers. If available, review remaining life or percentage used fields.

Method 5- Use Performance Monitor for SMART failure prediction

  • Press Windows + R, type perfmon, press Enter.
  • Add counters if exposed by your storage driver. Look for disk-related predictive failure status counters under WMI or storage classes.
  • This method varies by driver support and may not be present on all systems.

Pros of Using Windows SMART Status Check

  • Built in to Windows, no third-party software required
  • Fast to run and light on system resources
  • Can be scripted with PowerShell for multiple disks
  • Provides early warning of hardware issues before failure

Cons of Using Windows SMART Status Check

  • Limited detail compared to full SMART attribute readouts
  • Output and availability vary by driver and hardware
  • WMIC is deprecated on newer Windows versions
  • Does not perform surface tests or repairs
  • May require administrator privileges for consistent results

Use Disk Management

Pre-checks

    • Back up data – Formatting or partitioning changes cause data loss if mistakes occur.
    • Close apps – Ensure no programs are using the target drive.
    • Run as admin – You may be prompted for administrator approval.
  • Open Disk Management
  • Method – Press Windows + R, type diskmgmt.msc, press Enter.
  • Alternate – Right-click Start and select Disk Management.
  • Verify target – Identify the disk by capacity, model, and connection type to avoid selecting the wrong device.
  • Check drive and volume status
  • Visual health – Look for Healthy in the volume status bars and list.
  • Layout and file system – Confirm partition layout, file system type, and presence of unallocated space.
  • Mounting issues – If a volume does not have a drive letter, right-click and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths to add one.
  • Open Properties for more details
  • Access – Right-click the disk or volume and select Properties.
  • Volumes tab – Review partition style (MBR or GPT), capacity, and assignment.
  • Tools tab – Use Error checking to scan the volume for file system errors. Click Check and follow prompts.
  • Hardware or Events tab – Review device information and recent logs for disk-related issues.
  • Run an error check from Disk Management
  • Invoke scan – Right-click the volume, select Properties, Tools, then Check.
  • Repair option – If prompted, choose to scan and repair. You may need to schedule at restart for system volumes.
  • Review results – After completion, Windows will report whether errors were found and fixed.
  • Initialize and format a new disk
  • Initialize – If a disk shows as Not Initialized, right-click the disk label and choose Initialize Disk. Select GPT for modern systems, MBR for legacy.
  • Create volume – Right-click Unallocated space, select New Simple Volume, follow the wizard to set size, file system (NTFS or exFAT), allocation unit size, and label.
  • Finish – Assign a drive letter and complete the wizard. The volume should show Healthy and mount in File Explorer.
  • Check for disk-level issues
  • Offline or missing – If a disk is Offline, right-click and bring it Online, then investigate cables or power if it fails.
  • Read-only flags – For removable media stuck read-only, check the device’s physical lock switch and Properties > Policies settings.
  • Cross-check with Event Viewer when needed
  • Open – Press Windows + R, type eventvwr.msc, press Enter.
  • Navigate – Windows Logs > System. Filter for Disk, Disk Controller, or Ntfs sources to find related errors.

Pros of Using Disk Management

  • Visual overview of disks, partitions, file systems, and drive letters
  • Simple creation, deletion, resizing, and formatting of volumes
  • Native integration with Windows, requiring no additional software
  • Quick identification of unallocated space and basic status indicators like “Healthy”

Cons of Using Disk Management

  • Lack of detailed S.M.A.R.T. health and wear metrics
  • Limited diagnostic depth compared to dedicated utilities
  • Requirement for system volume reboots during certain operations
  • Risk of data loss from incorrect disk or partition modifications

Use Windows Error Checking Tool

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data in case repairs modify file system structures.
  • Close apps that may be using the target drive to prevent lock conflicts.
  • Use an administrator account for the most reliable results.
  • Open the tool from File Explorer
  • Open File Explorer, right-click the target drive, and select Properties.
  • Go to the Tools tab and locate Error checking.
  • Click Check. If Windows says you do not need to scan, you can still choose to scan.
  • Choose scan or repair options
  • Click Scan drive for a read-only check of file system errors.
  • If prompted after a scan, select Repair drive to fix detected issues.
  • For system drives, you may be asked to Schedule on next restart. Confirm, then restart to run the check before Windows loads.
  • Review results and logs
  • After completion, Windows reports whether errors were found and fixed.
  • For detailed logs, open Event Viewer, navigate to Windows Logs > Application, and look for entries from Wininit or Chkdsk that summarize actions taken.

Pros of Using Windows Error Checking Tool

  • Graphical workflow that avoids command-line syntax
  • Native integration with Windows and support for any drive with a letter
  • Boot-time repair scheduling for system volumes
  • Binary feedback on whether repairs are needed (yes or no)

Cons of Using Windows Error Checking Tool

  • Reduced output detail compared to command-line CHKDSK logs
  • Limited control over scan parameters versus command-line flags
  • Requirement for restart when repairing system drives
  • Absence of S.M.A.R.T. health metrics and surface-level testing

Use PowerShell to Check SMART Status

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data if you suspect issues. Close apps using the target drive.
  • Open PowerShell as administrator for consistent access to storage data.
  • Quick health view with Get-PhysicalDisk
  • Open Start, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell, select Run as administrator.
  • Run:
    • Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus
  • Review HealthStatus. Healthy indicates no detected issues. Investigate any warning or unknown states.
  • Failure prediction via WMI
  • Run:
    • Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\wmi -Class MSStorageDriver_FailurePredictStatus | Select InstanceName, PredictFailure
  • Check PredictFailure. False means no predicted failure. True signals the drive is predicting a failure and needs attention.
  • Detailed reliability counters
  • Identify the disk number:
    • Get-Disk | Select Number, FriendlyName, SerialNumber
  • Get counters:
    • Get-StorageReliabilityCounter -Disk (Get-Disk -Number 0) | Select *
  • Look for attributes such as Wear, Temperature, ReadErrorsTotal, ReallocatedSectors, and MediaErrors if exposed by your hardware driver.
  • NVMe focused snapshot
  • Run:
    • Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, Usage, Size
  • If your driver exposes it, also check-
    • Get-StorageReliabilityCounter -Disk (Get-Disk -Number 0) | Select Temperature, Wear, PowerOnHours
  • Review Wear or percentage used to gauge SSD lifespan.
  • Export a quick report
  • Run:
    • Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus | Export-Csv -NoTypeInformation .\disk_health.csv
  • Open the CSV to archive results or share with support.
  • Interpret common fields
  • Healthy or OK means no current flags. Warning or predictive failure suggests backup and replacement planning.
  • Rising media errors, reallocated sectors, or high temperature indicate deteriorating health even if the overall status is still healthy.

Pros of Using PowerShell

  • Built-in functionality with scripting support for multiple disks and remote checks
  • Fast execution with minimal system overhead
  • Exposure of predictive failure flags and detailed SMART counters on supported hardware

Cons of Using PowerShell

  • Dependency on drivers and hardware support for detailed output
  • Limited cmdlet availability on older Windows editions
  • Lack of repair functionality and surface-level scanning
  • Requirement for vendor documentation to interpret SMART counters

How to Check Hard Drive Health on Mac OS?

To check hard drive health on Mac OS, follow the 4 methods below.

  • Use Disk Utility
  • Use SMART Status in Disk Utility
  • Use Terminal
  • Use Third-Party Tools

Use Disk Utility

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data before running repairs.
  • Quit apps that might be using the disk and ensure the Mac has stable power.
  • Open Disk Utility and reveal devices
  • Open Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
  • In the menu bar, select View > Show All Devices so you can select the physical disk (not just volumes).
  • This view helps you target the correct device and its containers/volumes.
  • Check SMART status in Disk Utility
  • Select the physical disk in the sidebar, then click the Info button (i) in the toolbar to view SMART status.
  • If you see a fatal hardware error, back up what you can and plan to replace the drive; Disk Utility cannot repair hardware faults.
  • If there’s no hardware error but issues persist, proceed with First Aid.
  • Run First Aid to verify and repair
  • In Disk Utility, select the lowest item under the disk (the last volume), click First Aid, then Run.
  • Repeat First Aid upward- run it on each higher item (container, then disk) until you reach the top.
  • For startup volumes, run First Aid from macOS Recovery for a more thorough check:
    • Intel: restart and hold Command-R to enter Recovery.
    • Apple silicon: shut down, then hold the power button until Options appears, and choose Disk Utility.
  • When finished, restart normally and recheck status. Consider Apple Diagnostics if hardware issues are suspected.

Pros of Using Disk Utility

  • Built-in utility with no installation required
  • User-friendly interface for verification and repair using First Aid
  • Basic SMART status display to flag potential hardware failure

Cons of Using Disk Utility

  • Limited SMART detail compared to third-party tools, with no per-attribute visibility
  • Inability to repair physical hardware faults; severe errors require drive replacement
  • Requirement to run from Recovery for startup disks, resulting in added downtime

Use SMART Status in Disk Utility

  • Pre-checks
  • Back up important data if you suspect any drive issues.
  • Quit apps that might be using the disk and ensure stable power.
  • Open Disk Utility
  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
  • In the menu bar, select View > Show All Devices so you can select the physical disk, not just a volume.
  • Select the physical disk
  • In the sidebar, click the topmost entry for the device you want to check. Confirm by capacity and model to avoid confusion with volumes or containers.
  • View SMART status
  • Click the Info button in the toolbar. Find the SMART status field in the details panel.
  • Typical results include-
    • Verified- No SMART-reported hardware problems.
    • Failing- The disk reports impending hardware failure. Back up immediately and plan to replace the drive.
    • Not supported- The enclosure or interface is not passing SMART data to macOS.
  • Decide next steps
  • If status is Failing, copy critical data off the drive as soon as possible, then replace the hardware.
  • If status is Verified but you still see issues, run First Aid on the volume, check cables and ports, and consider deeper diagnostics.
  • If status is Not supported, try a different enclosure or interface, or use a tool that can read SMART through your controller.

Pros of Using SMART Status in Disk Utility

  • Built in and quick to access.
  • Very easy to interpret at a glance.
  • Works without installing any extra software.

Cons of Using SMART Status in Disk Utility

  • High-level pass or fail result without detailed attribute visibility
  • Limited availability for disks in certain USB enclosures or docks
  • Reporting-only functionality with no ability to repair hardware faults

Use Terminal

Pre-checks

  • Back up important data if you suspect any drive issues.
  • Quit apps that might be using the disk and ensure stable power.

Open Disk Utility

  • Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
  • In the menu bar, select View > Show All Devices so you can select the physical disk, not just a volume.

Select the physical disk

  • In the sidebar, click the topmost entry for the device you want to check. Confirm by capacity and model to avoid confusion with volumes or containers.

View SMART status

  • Click the Info button in the toolbar. Find the SMART status field in the details panel.
  • Typical results include-
    • Verified- No SMART-reported hardware problems.
    • Failing- The disk reports impending hardware failure. Back up immediately and plan to replace the drive.
    • Not supported- The enclosure or interface is not passing SMART data to macOS.

Decide next steps

  • If status is Failing, copy critical data off the drive as soon as possible, then replace the hardware.
  • If status is Verified but you still see issues, run First Aid on the volume, check cables and ports, and consider deeper diagnostics.
  • If status is Not supported, try a different enclosure or interface, or use a tool that can read SMART through your controller.

Pros of Using SMART Status in Disk Utility

  • Built in and quick to access.
  • Very easy to interpret at a glance.
  • Works without installing any extra software.

Cons of Using SMART Status in Disk Utility

  • High-level pass or fail result without detailed attribute visibility
  • Limited availability for disks in certain USB enclosures or docks
  • Reporting-only functionality with no ability to repair hardware faults

Pros of Using Terminal

  • Comprehensive verify and repair coverage for volumes, containers, and partition maps
  • Clear output with actionable error messages for targeted troubleshooting
  • Built-in toolset compatible with scripting and remote diagnostics

Cons of Using Terminal

  • Familiarity with disk identifiers and command syntax for effective use
  • High-level status output without per-attribute visibility
  • Requirement to boot into Recovery for startup disk repairs, resulting in added downtime

Use Third-Party Tools

Pre-checks

  • Back up data – Health tests are safe, but any repair actions risk data loss.
  • Use direct connections – Plug external drives directly into your Mac. Some USB/SATA enclosures block SMART passthrough.
  • Allow permissions – After install, grant Full Disk Access in System Settings > Privacy & Security if prompted.

Option 1- Install a SMART monitor with alerts

  • Pick a tool – DriveDx or SMART Utility are popular for detailed SMART attributes and warnings.
  • Install and launch – Follow the installer, then open the app.
  • Review dashboard- Check overall health, temperature, power‑on hours, and key attributes.
  • Run tests – Start a Short Self‑Test for quick screening; run an Extended/Long Self‑Test for deeper checks.
  • Set alerts – Enable notifications for threshold changes, rising reallocated or pending sectors, or SSD wear indicators.

Option 2- Use a free GUI for SMART self‑tests

  • Pick a tool – GSmartControl provides a graphical view over smartctl.
  • Open the drive – Select your disk to view attributes, error logs, and capabilities.
  • Run tests – Start Short, Extended, or Conveyance tests and monitor progress and results.
  • Interpret results – Watch for increases in Reallocated Sector Count, Current Pending Sector, UDMA CRC errors, or SSD Percentage Used.

Option 3- Add speed and surface checks

  • Speed test – Use Blackmagic Disk Speed Test to spot sudden throughput drops that may hint at failing media or throttling.
  • Surface scan (read‑only) – Choose tools that perform sequential read checks to detect unreadable sectors without writing.
  • Correlate findings – If speed is fine but SMART flags rise, trust SMART. If speed is poor with clean SMART, check cabling, ports, trim, or filesystem.

Decide next steps

  • If SMART is failing – Back up immediately and replace the drive; do not attempt repeated repairs.
  • If SMART is verified but errors persist – Run First Aid in Disk Utility, test cables/ports, then re‑test. Consider a different enclosure for external drives.
  • Trend monitoring – Enable periodic reports to catch early degradation before data loss.

Pros of Using Third-Party Tools

  • Most detailed – Full SMART attributes, error logs, temperatures, SSD wear indicators, and trend graphs.
  • Proactive alerts – Background monitoring warns you before failures.
  • Self‑tests – One‑click Short/Long tests with clear pass/fail results.

Cons of Using Third-Party Tools

  • Cost or setup – Some apps are paid; free options may require extra setup.
  • Hardware limits – Many USB enclosures do not expose SMART, reducing visibility.
  • No repairs – These tools diagnose; they do not fix physical faults.

How to Check Hard Drive Health on Linux?

To check hard drive health on Mac OS, follow the 4 methods below.

  • Use fsck (File System Consistency Check)
  • Use SMART Tools
  • Use Disk Utility (on Ubuntu and other distributions with GNOME)
  • Using badblocks

Use fsck (File System Consistency Check)

  • Pre-checks
  • Back up data – Repairs modify metadata and may risk data loss if corruption is severe.
  • Do not run on mounted filesystems – Plan to unmount the target volume, or use recovery/single‑user mode for the root filesystem.
  • Identify the correct device
  • List block devices:
    • lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT,FSTYPE,UUID
  • Confirm target – Match by size, mount point, and filesystem (for example, /dev/sdb1 with ext4).
  • Unmount the target
  • Unmount safely:
    • sudo umount /dev/sdXn
  • If busy- Stop services or use lazy unmount as last resort:
    • sudo umount -l /dev/sdXn
  • Run a read-only check first
  • Generic fsck wrapper:
      • sudo fsck -n /dev/sdXn
  • ext2/3/4 explicitly (more options):
    • sudo e2fsck -n /dev/sdXn
  • The -n flag prevents writes; review reported issues.
  • Run repairs if needed
  • Interactive repair:
      • sudo fsck -f /dev/sdXn
  • Automatic yes to fixes (non‑interactive):
      • sudo fsck -y /dev/sdXn
  • ext4 with e2fsck:
    • sudo e2fsck -f -y /dev/sdXn
  • Re-run until it reports “clean” to confirm all issues are fixed.
  • Handle the root filesystem
    • Reboot into rescue mode – Choose “Advanced options” → recovery or single‑user mode, or boot from live media.
  • Run read-only device node for speed:
    • sudo e2fsck -f -y /dev/rdisk0p2 (adapt device)
  • Reboot normally when done.
  • Filesystem-specific notes
  • XFS – fsck.xfs is a no-op; use xfs_repair on an unmounted XFS volume.
    • sudo xfs_repair /dev/sdXn
  • Btrfs – Prefer scrub/check instead of fsck.
    • sudo btrfs scrub start -Bd /mountpoint
    • sudo btrfs check –readonly /dev/sdXn
  • FAT/NTFS – fsck.vfat and ntfsfix provide limited repairs. For NTFS, full repairs are best done on Windows.
  • Verify and remount
  • Quick integrity check:
      • sudo fsck -n /dev/sdXn (should show clean)
  • Mount back:
      • sudo mount /dev/sdXn /mnt
  • Confirm status:
    • dmesg | tail and sudo blkid /dev/sdXn

Pros of Using fsck

  • Resolution of metadata and journal issues that prevent successful mounting
  • Support for flags such as -n, -f, and -y to enable safe checks, forced scans, or unattended repairs
  • Default installation with compatibility across multiple filesystems via specific fsck helpers

Cons of Using fsck

  • Risk of additional corruption when running on mounted filesystems
  • Tool variance across filesystems such as XFS and Btrfs, leading to potential confusion
  • Lack of hardware diagnostics; requires pairing with SMART tools or badblocks for surface testing

Use SMART Tools

  • Pre-checks
    • Back up data- If SMART warns of failure, copy critical files before deeper tests.
    • Ensure passthrough- Some USB/SATA enclosures do not expose SMART; test with a direct SATA/NVMe connection or a known‑good enclosure.
  • Install tools-
    • Debian/Ubuntu- sudo apt-get install smartmontools
    • Fedora/RHEL- sudo dnf install smartmontools
    • Arch- sudo pacman -S smartmontools
  • Identify the device
  • List disks- lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL,TYPE
  • Target device- Note identifiers like /dev/sda, /dev/nvme0n1.
  • Enable and verify SMART support
  • Enable SMART- sudo smartctl -s on /dev/sdX
  • Check info- sudo smartctl -i /dev/sdX (confirms SMART availability, model, firmware)
  • View overall health and attributes
    • Full report- sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX (or /dev/nvme0 for NVMe)
  • Key fields to review:
    • Overall-healt h- PASSED/FAILED summary
    • Temperature and throttling – Overheat events are red flags
    • Reallocated/Pending sectors (HDD) – Rising counts indicate media decay
    • CRC errors – Often cabling/port issues
    • Percentage used/Wear level (SSD/NVMe) – Approaching limits suggests replacement planning
  • Run SMART self-tests
  • Short test (1-3 min) – sudo smartctl -t short /dev/sdX
  • Extended test (can take hours) – sudo smartctl -t long /dev/sdX
  • Conveyance test (HDD shipping damage) – sudo smartctl -t conveyance /dev/sdX
  • Check results – sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX and review Self‑test log for PASS/FAIL and LBA of first error
  • Abort a running test – sudo smartctl -X /dev/sdX
  • NVMe specifics
  • Health summary – sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme0
  • Important NVMe fields – Percentage Used, Data Units Written, Media and Data Integrity Errors, Critical Warnings, Temperature
  • Set up background monitoring (optional)
  • Enable daemon – sudo systemctl enable –now smartd
  • Configure alerts – Edit /etc/smartd.conf to schedule tests and email warnings on threshold changes.

Pros of Using SMART Tools

  • Full SMART attribute visibility, including error logs and self-test history
  • Predictive failure warnings to prevent catastrophic data loss
  • Compatibility with HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives, with detailed wear metrics
  • Daemon and script support for continuous monitoring and automated notifications

Cons of Using SMART Tools

  • Hidden SMART data in certain USB enclosures and docks
  • Vendor-specific attribute meanings that may produce false positives without proper context
  • Health reporting without capability to repair file system or media errors
  • Time-consuming extended tests that may degrade performance during execution

Use Disk Utility (on Ubuntu and other distributions with GNOME)

  • Pre-checks
    • Back up data- If SMART warns of failure, copy critical files before deeper tests.
    • Ensure passthrough- Some USB/SATA enclosures do not expose SMART; test with a direct SATA/NVMe connection or a known‑good enclosure.
  • Install tools-
    • Debian/Ubuntu- sudo apt-get install smartmontools
    • Fedora/RHEL- sudo dnf install smartmontools
    • Arch- sudo pacman -S smartmontools
  • Identify the device
  • List disks- lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL,TYPE
  • Target device- Note identifiers like /dev/sda, /dev/nvme0n1.
  • Enable and verify SMART support
  • Enable SMART- sudo smartctl -s on /dev/sdX
  • Check info- sudo smartctl -i /dev/sdX (confirms SMART availability, model, firmware)
  • View overall health and attributes
    • Full report- sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX (or /dev/nvme0 for NVMe)
  • Key fields to review:
    • Overall-healt h- PASSED/FAILED summary
    • Temperature and throttling – Overheat events are red flags
    • Reallocated/Pending sectors (HDD) – Rising counts indicate media decay
    • CRC errors – Often cabling/port issues
    • Percentage used/Wear level (SSD/NVMe) – Approaching limits suggests replacement planning
  • Run SMART self-tests
  • Short test (1-3 min) – sudo smartctl -t short /dev/sdX
  • Extended test (can take hours) – sudo smartctl -t long /dev/sdX
  • Conveyance test (HDD shipping damage) – sudo smartctl -t conveyance /dev/sdX
  • Check results – sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX and review Self‑test log for PASS/FAIL and LBA of first error
  • Abort a running test – sudo smartctl -X /dev/sdX
  • NVMe specifics
  • Health summary – sudo smartctl -a /dev/nvme0
  • Important NVMe fields – Percentage Used, Data Units Written, Media and Data Integrity Errors, Critical Warnings, Temperature
  • Set up background monitoring (optional)
  • Enable daemon – sudo systemctl enable –now smartd
  • Configure alerts – Edit /etc/smartd.conf to schedule tests and email warnings on threshold changes.

Pros of Using SMART Tools

  • Full SMART attribute visibility, including error logs and self-test history
  • Predictive failure warnings to prevent catastrophic data loss
  • Compatibility with HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives, with detailed wear metrics
  • Daemon and script support for continuous monitoring and automated notifications

Cons of Using SMART Tools

  • Hidden SMART data in certain USB enclosures and docks
  • Vendor-specific attribute meanings that may produce false positives without proper context
  • Health reporting without capability to repair file system or media errors
  • Time-consuming extended tests that may degrade performance during execution

Using badblocks

  • Pre-checks
  • Back up data – Any write-mode tests will destroy data. Even read-only scans can stress failing disks.
  • Unmount target – Do not run on a mounted filesystem. If needed, stop services and unmount the partition first.
  • Confirm device path – Identify the correct disk/partition before proceeding to avoid data loss.
  • Identify the correct device
  • List disks and partitions:
    • lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,MOUNTPOINT,FSTYPE,UUID
  • Match the target – Note the device (for example, /dev/sdb or /dev/sdb1) by size, mount point, and filesystem.
  • Run a non-destructive read-only scan
  • Basic scan with verbose output:
    • sudo badblocks -v /dev/sdXn > badblocks.txt
  • What it does – Reads through the device to detect unreadable sectors and saves their LBAs to badblocks.txt for later use.
  • Optionally run a destructive write-mode scan (use with extreme caution)
  • Four-pass write-read test:
    • sudo badblocks -wsv /dev/sdX
  • Warning: This overwrites the entire device and erases all data. Useful only when you intend to wipe, stress-test, or prepare a drive for fresh use.
  • Mark bad sectors as unusable (ext2/3/4)
  • Use e2fsck with the bad block list:
      • sudo e2fsck -l badblocks.txt /dev/sdXn
  • Alternative- have e2fsck call badblocks itself:
    • sudo e2fsck -c /dev/sdXn
  • Review and re-check
  • Re-run a read-only pass – Confirm that previously reported sectors are no longer used and that no new errors appear.
  • Consider SMART – For ongoing health monitoring and failure prediction, pair badblocks with SMART tools for a fuller picture. 

Pros of Using badblocks

  • Reduced granularity compared to smartctl for raw attributes and diagnostic logs
  • Limited SMART visibility in certain USB enclosures and docks
  • Basic filesystem repair capabilities with no support for hardware fault correction

Cons of Using badblocks

  • Long scan durations on large drives during full-disk checks
  • Destructive nature of the -w test, which erases all data
  • Lack of predictive failure analysis; best used alongside SMART monitoring for health trends
  • Potential throttling or distortion from USB/SATA bridges; direct connections offer more reliable results.

Are hard drive diagnostic tools utilized to check HDD health?

Yes, hard drive diagnostic tools are used to check HDD health because they detect early signs of failure through SMART monitoring. This allows you to back up data and replace the drive before loss occurs. These tools accurately identify both physical issues, such as bad sectors, and logical problems, such as file system errors, helping you determine the appropriate corrective action. They also track performance metrics over time, including temperature, read and write speeds, and error rates.

What are the main techniques of testing the health on other data storage devices?

Yes, hard drive diagnostic tools are used to check HDD health because they detect early signs of failure through SMART monitoring. This allows you to back up data and replace the drive before loss occurs. These tools accurately identify both physical issues, such as bad sectors, and logical problems, such as file system errors, helping you determine the appropriate corrective action. They also track performance metrics over time, including temperature, read and write speeds, and error rates.

How to backup a healthy hard drive?

Yes, hard drive backup are using three main approaches listed below.

  • Clone – Create an exact, sector-by-sector copy of the drive using tools like Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla, or Acronis True Image. This preserves the operating system, applications, and data in a bootable state for fast recovery if the original drive fails.
  • Off-site Backup – Store a copy of your data in a remote location, such as a cloud service (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) or a physically distant external drive or NAS. This protects against local disasters like fire, theft, or flooding.
  • On-site Backup – Keep a backup on local media such as an external HDD or SSD, NAS, or another internal drive. This allows for quick restores and easy access, though it should be paired with off-site storage for full disaster protection.

Should you health check a hard drive that is failing?

Yes, hard drives degrade over time, and if you suspect yours is failing, running a health check is an effective way to confirm errors and evaluate its condition. Tools that read SMART data, scan for bad sectors, and verify file system integrity helps you assess the extent of the damage. This allows you to back up important data before it’s lost and determine whether repair or replacement is the most appropriate course of action.

What is a hard drive scanner?

A hard drive scanner is a diagnostic application designed to evaluate the condition of storage devices. It detects and reports issues such as bad sectors, file system errors, and potential hardware faults. Most scanners read SMART data to monitor drive health, perform surface-level tests to identify hard drive storage failure, and often include benchmarking tools to measure performance metrics like read/write speeds and access times. These features help users assess overall drive reliability and determine whether maintenance, backup, or replacement is necessary.

What is S.M.A.R.T HDD tester?

A SMART HDD tester is a diagnostic software tool that leverages Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) to evaluate the health, performance, and reliability of hard drives and SSDs. It helps detect potential issues by monitoring key parameters such as temperature, reallocated sectors, and wear levels, allowing users to take preventive action before data loss occurs. Many SMART HDD testers also include built-in self-diagnostic features for deeper analysis. Most applications support Windows systems, from Windows 7 through Windows 11, with some tools offering compatibility with Linux and macOS.