Signs Your External Hard Drive Might Be Failing

• Clicking or beeping noises
• Slow read/write speed
• Frequent disconnection
• Files disappearing or becoming inaccessible
• Drive not showing up in File Explorer or Disk Management

Types of External Drives We Recover

• HDD (mechanical hard drives)
• SSD (Solid State Drives)
• USB powered portable drives
• External RAID or NAS enclosures
• Encrypted and password protected drives

DIY Recovery vs. Professional Recovery

When you lose data on an external hard drive, your first instinct might be to search for a quick DIY solution, and in some cases, that’s perfectly fine. However, it’s important to understand the risks and limitations of DIY recovery and know when it’s best to seek professional help.

Risks of DIY Data Recovery Tools

While free and paid recovery software (like Recuva or EaseUS) can help with minor issues, using the wrong tool or using it incorrectly can worsen the situation. Risks include:

• Overwriting recoverable data during installation or scans
• Further corruption if the drive is unstable or physically failing
• Partial recovery of damaged files without warning
  Causing mechanical drives to degrade faster with repeated access attempts

If your drive is clicking, beeping, or physically damaged, avoid DIY tools entirely. These symptoms usually indicate a hardware issue that software can’t fix.

When to Attempt Software Recovery

DIY recovery can work if:

• The drive is physically intact (no strange noises or visible damage)
• Data was lost due to accidental deletion or formatting
• The drive is still detectable by your computer

Popular tools include:

• Recuva:  Great for simple file deletion
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: User friendly with preview features
• R-Studio: Advanced option for tech savvy users
• Disk Drill: Offers deep scan capabilities for Windows and macOS

Always install recovery software on a separate drive never the one you’re recovering data from.

When to Seek Professional Help

You should immediately stop using the drive and consult a data recovery expert if:

• The drive is not recognized at all
• You hear clicking, grinding, or buzzing sounds
• The drive was dropped, exposed to water, or burned
• You’ve already tried recovery software with no success
• Your data is extremely valuable, sensitive, or irreplaceable

At Volta PC Upgrade & Repair, we use professional hardware and software tools in a clean and static safe environment to safely retrieve data from drives that DIY tools can’t fix.

FAQs on Hard Drive Data Recovery 

➤ How long does external hard drive recovery take?

It depends on the complexity of the issue. Simple cases (like accidental deletion) may take 1-2 Weeks, while more serious cases (e.g., mechanical damage) can take 5 – 7 weeks or longer if parts need to be sourced.

➤ Can you recover data from a water damaged hard drive?

Yes, in many cases. If the drive is handled quickly and correctly, recovery is possible. Do not attempt to dry or open it yourself. This can cause permanent damage. Bring it to a professional recovery lab immediately.

➤ Will data recovery void my hard drive’s warranty?

In most cases, yes, opening the hard drive or using third party recovery services may void the warranty. However, most warranties do not cover data loss, only hardware replacement. If the data is more valuable than the drive itself, recovery is usually the better choice.