Is Your SSD Dead? Try These 5 Solutions to Get It Working

A few quick solutions to save valuable data on the SSD

by Vladimir Popescu
Vladimir Popescu
Vladimir Popescu
Managing Editor
Being an artist his entire life while also playing handball at a professional level, Vladimir has also developed a passion for all things computer-related. With an innate fascination... read more
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  • Most users generally replace a dead SSD, but that's not the right approach since it can be fixed.
  • To fix it, run the Check Disk utility, install the latest firmware and drivers, or update the BIOS.
  • If it comes to worst, you can always recover the data from the SSD before discarding it.
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When the SSD is not recognized or is simply dead, you don’t just lose precious data but will also have to shell out quite a few bucks for a replacement drive.

Most usually go with the latter without much thought. But what if you can get the SSD working? Read ahead to find out.

What are the symptoms of drive failure?

While the SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) are completely different in storing data, a common aspect is that both fail sooner or later. Though the former has a considerably longer life span.

An SSD can last 10 years or more, while an HDD usually wears out after 4-6 years. The reason, SSDs have no moving parts, as opposed to HDDs.

But it’s imperative that you identify the signs of a failing SSD before it’s completely dead for several reasons. Here are a few things to look out for:

  • Get errors while reading or writing files: When a drive is about to fail, it will throw errors when accessing or saving files to certain locations.
  • Computer slows down: A slow computer could be a sign of a falling SSD, though remember, that’s not the only reason.
  • Issues booting the PC: If you are unable to boot Windows and get an error frequently, chances are the SSD is to blame.
  • Applications start to crash: In many cases, the applications crash when the SSD is dead, and you need to fix things to run them again.

How do I fix a dead SSD drive?

Before we head to the complex solutions, try these:

  • Try to perform a health check on your SSD to see its status.
  • Make sure the connections are in order. Remove the SATA cable from the SSD and then plug it back in just to be sure.
  • Unplug other non-critical peripherals from the PC, and then connect the SSD.
  • Plug the SSD into another computer to verify whether it’s dead or the previous PC couldn’t read it. If it’s the latter, replace the cable and check the ports. For the former, the other solutions here will help.
  • Update the BIOS since it could an issue there that’s giving the impression that the SSD is dead.

If you can’t figure things out, move to the next fixes.

Note icon NOTE
The solutions here are for an SSD that has gone dead over the course of time and is not damaged in any way. If it’s the latter, we recommend you take it to a repair center immediately.

1. Keep the SSD in an idle state

  1. Turn off the PC, and unplug the data cable from the SSD but leave the SATA power cable connected.
  2. Turn on the PC, enter the BIOS, and let it sit idly for 30 minutes or so. Do not use the computer during this period.
  3. Now, turn off the computer, disconnect the drive, and wait for 30 seconds.
  4. Again, connect the drive using the SATA power cable, turn on the computer, and wait for 30 minutes.
  5. Repeat the process 2-3 times, then connect the drive normally, and it should show up.

Though strange, this is one of the most common techniques to fix a dead SSD. The idea here is to let the SSD be idle for an extended period to get it to work. If that doesn’t help, head to the next solution.

2. Reset the BIOS

Note icon NOTE
The steps to reset the BIOS are different for every manufacturer, and the process listed below is only to provide an understanding of the concept. We recommend you look through the manufacturer’s website for the exact steps.
  1. Power off the computer, turn it on, and repeatedly hit the relevant key (depending on the manufacturer) to enter the BIOS. It’s usually F1, F2, F10, F12, or Del.
  2. Once in the BIOS, navigate through the various tabs and look for an option that says Load Optimal Defaults, Load Setup Defaults, Load Default Options, or something similar, and select it.load optimized defaults
  3. Confirm the reset, and wait for the process to complete.confirm reset to how to fix a dead SSD
  4. Once done, turn on the computer, and it should recognize the SSD.

Oftentimes, an issue with the BIOS makes us think that the SSD is dead, and resetting it helps fix things in no time.

3. Update the SSD’s firmware

  1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.device manager
  2. Expand Disk drives, right-click on the SSD, and choose Properties.properties for how to fix a dead SSD
  3. Head to the Details tab, choose Hardware Ids from the dropdown menu, and note the one for the SSD.hardware ID
  4. Now, search for the Hardware ID using Google or another search engine and open the firmware update webpage on the manufacturer’s website. update
  5. Download the firmware and run the setup to complete the installation process. Since we are running a Dell computer, we went to its official website. In your case, it might be different depending on the manufacturer.download for how to fix a dead SSD

After downloading and installing the firmware update, check if it can fix the dead SSD. For many users, it did the trick, and we recommend you update the SSD firmware.

4. Update the SSD drivers

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.device manager
  2. Now, expand Disk drives, right-click on the dead SSD, and choose Update driver.update driver for how to fix a dead SSD
  3. Next, select Search automatically for drivers and let Windows install the best one.search automatically for drivers

Updating drivers is critical for the effective functioning of every device, including the SSD. So, make sure you have the latest ones. If Windows doesn’t find an update, you can always manually install the latest drivers, though it’s more time-consuming.

Alternatively, you can use dedicated updater software such as Outbyte Driver Updater that automatically scans your PC for outdated drivers and install the corresponding version for your hardware.

5. Run the Check Disk utility

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Command Prompt, and click on Run as administrator on the right.command prompt
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Now, paste the following command while replacing C: with the letter for SSD, and hit Enter:chkdsk C: /fcheck disk for how to fix a dead SSD
  4. If asked to start the scan after a restart, press Y, then hit Enter and reboot the computer for Check Disk to run.

That’s it! One of the solutions presented here should have helped you fix the dead SSD drive. In case the problem persists, we recommend you get in touch with the official manufacturer or a local technician to get the hardware inspected.

Also, if there are critical files on the drive that you would like to salvage, check the best data recovery tools to retrieve them.

If you have any queries or want to share a solution that worked for you, drop a comment below.

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