The hard drive of your Mac^® computer holds several gigabytes of important and sensitive data. If the device malfunctions, you may worry about being unable to recover your files and folders—whether they are for work or personal use. While a computer repair professional can usually fix the issue, here are a handful of warning signs that typically indicate a failing hard drive.

4 Signs of Mac Computer Hard Drive Failure

1. Poor Performance

If your computer performs slowly, crashes frequently, or has a tendency to freeze up, there’s likely a problem with the hard drive. The best course of action is to save a backup of the data to an external hard drive before taking your device to a computer repair store for diagnostics. 

2. Unusual Noises 

One of the most common signs of a hard drive on the verge of failure is the sudden occurrence of loud noises, such as whirring, screeching, or grinding. In some cases, these may be the result of a head crash, which occurs when the rotating disc comes into contact with the read-write mechanism. 

3. Disappearing Files & Folders

When hard drives begin to fail, you might notice that some of your files and folders have disappeared from the desktop or Finder. You might also attempt to open documents, photos, or videos and receive a “corrupted” message. By performing computer repairs, a professional may be able to recover hidden data before it’s deleted.

4. Unrecognized Hard Drive

In more serious cases, your Mac computer may no longer recognize your hard drive. If you boot up the device and receive an error message about the disc being unreadable, this usually means the hard drive has failed completely. Try using Disk Utility to fix the issue or schedule an appointment for computer repairs.

If you experience issues with your Mac computer’s hard drive, allow the team at Experimax North Tampa to fix the device and restore your data. They offer repairs for desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets to clients throughout Hillsborough County, FL. Call (813) 280-2620 to ask about their certified pre-owned Apple products for sale, and visit them online to schedule an appointment for computer repairs.