Hard Drive Not Spinning? Common Causes and Fixes

Is your internal or external hard drive won’t spin even after plugging it to computer? If yes, then it might be due to electrical failure on PCB (Printed Circuit Board) or the read/write head of the drive stuck on a platter. But nothing to worry! Here are the few DIY methods that can help you to fix hard drive not spinning issue. So, if you’re facing this problem then continue reading this post to find why HDD won’t spin & how to fix this issue without any data loss.

So, let’s get started now…….!

Quick Solutions	Step-By-Step Solutions Guide
Fix 1: Use another Adaptor & USB Port	Sometimes, using the faulty adaptor or USB Ports might result in internal or…Complete Steps
Fix 2: Check Power Supply /Surge	If you are getting the burning smell from your hard drive then it simply means…Complete Steps
Fix 3: Troubleshoot PCB	PCB (printed circuit board) is one of the main components of a hard drive which…Complete Steps
Fix 4: Fix A Stuck Disk Heads	Remember, if your hard drive’s read/write heads get stuck in the platter…Complete Steps
Fix 5: Check A Spindle Motor	If you are unable to troubleshoot the issue even after trying the above solutions…Complete Steps
Fix 6: Seek Professional Help	Some issues can’t be fixed at home; they are only repaired by professionals…Complete Steps

About Hard Drive Not Spinning on Startup Issue

If your hard drive does not spin up even after plugging it into your PC or if you didn’t get a familiar spinning sound from it, then it simply indicates that your hard drive isn’t working at all.

Generally, whenever your internal/external hard drive doesn’t spin up it’s assumed that there are some issues with the hard disk firmware. Additionally, there are some other serious reasons that might lead to this problem. They are as follows:

Major Causes Of Hard Drive Not Spinning

• Due to electrical failure on PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
• When read/write head of drive gets stuck on a platter
• Seizure of a platter motor.

Symptoms Of the HDD Not Spinning

Once your hard disk stops spinning then it might clear to you that something went wrong.

Though, here you will come to know about the two symptoms of this error. They are as follows:

1. Your PC Won’t Recognize/Detected a Disk

When your disk stops spinning, then definitely your device will fail to recognize/detect the drive.

2. Won’t Be Able to Recover Data Saved Within a Hard Drive

Since your hard drive is not spinning and not recognized by your PC so you won’t be able to recover the data saved within it. In such a case, you should send your drive to a nearby repair center for repair.

Also Read: Repair/Fix Bad Sectors on External Hard Drive

How to Fix Hard Drive Does Not Spin Issue?

In this section, you will get various techniques to troubleshoot this problem. For that, you can pick any of the below-given techniques or you may try all of them.

Watch this Video tutorial to fix Hard Drive Not Spinning Problem

Use another Adaptor & USB Port

Sometimes, using the faulty adaptor or USB Ports might result in internal or external hard drive spinning issues.

In such a situation, you need to check your adaptor and USB port. If you find any of them are faulty or damaged then you need to change them immediately.

Check Power Supply/Surge

If you are getting the burning smell from your hard drive then it simply means that your hard drive is suffering from the power surge that could damage your hard drive PCB.

To tackle this situation, you need to figure out which component of your hard drive gets damaged. After finding it, you have to replace that component by ensuring that they are compatible with the same PCB.

In case, your hard disk doesn’t have any burning smell then you should check a power supply by simply connecting the hard drive to your computer via another cable or you may connect your hard disk to another PC.

If your hard is still not rotating then there might be some mechanical or electrical issue on your hard drive. Move to the next solution.

Troubleshoot PCB

PCB (printed circuit board) is one of the main components of a hard drive which allows electricity in order to pass between the various components of a drive.

Some of the important components presented on the PCB are – Motor Controller Chip, Main Controller IC, ROM/BIOS, Cache Chip, TVS Diodes, and Board Number.

If any of these PCB components get damaged/ failed then it is considered the HDD failure. However, a diode is the most sensitive HDD part of all. If it shorts then it could burn your hard drive.

Follow the below-guided instructions to know how to troubleshoot PCB.

• Firstly, you have to open your hard drive and then take a PCB out from it with the help of a screwdriver.
• After that, touch both the ends of a diode using a multimeter.
• If you heard the beeping sound, it simply indicates that there’s a short in the diode of a drive.
• In such a situation, you have to replace a diode with the new one by ensuring that it is the same as an original one.

Also Read – Repair & Recover Data From Hard Drive Clicking Noise

Fix A Stuck Disk Heads

Remember, if your hard drive’s read/write heads get stuck in the platter, the hard disk won’t spin. Generally, these problematic hard disk heads cause many issues including the hard drive does not spin.

You can follow this step-by-step guide to know how to fix stuck disk heads:

• First of all, you have to take out a lid of your hard drive with the help of a screwdriver.
• After that, you have to check whether the disk heads get stuck in the platter or not. If it’s stuck then simply move your disk head back to its normal position using a screwdriver or hook.
• Once done, just put everything return on the hard drive & re-connect your hard drive with your PC. If the internal hard drive not spinning issue still persists, then move toward the next solution.

Check A Spindle Motor to Fix Hard Drive Not Spinning

If you are unable to troubleshoot the issue even after trying the above solutions then it might have been caused by the failed spindle motor Many times, a spindle motor of your hard drive gets seized because of physical damage.

In order to solve this problem, you have to swap the platter by using professional software in the clean environment. Thus, I will advance you to get professional help.

Seek Professional Help

Some issues can’t be fixed at home; they are only repaired by professionals. Since all the DIY (do it yourself) methods fail, the last option left for you is to take your hard drive to any local service center to fix this issue.

The experts will surely assist you to fix hard drive that does not spin successfully.

How To Recover Deleted Data From Internal/External Hard Drive?

Many times, it happens that after fixing HDD not spinning issue, you may notice that some of your data are disappeared from your hard disk. In such a situation, I will recommend you to use the best data recovery software – Hard Drive Data Recovery Software.

It is the world’s best program – that has the capability to recover all kinds of data including pictures, videos, music & many others. No matter, whether your data have been lost from a hard drive, USB flash drives, external HDD, memory cards, or digital cameras, this tool can easily recover them with ease.

So, just quickly download and install this software and get back the missing data from your hard drive with ease.

* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable objects.

Here is the step-by-step guide of this tool that you need to follow to recover data from an external storage drive.

FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]

Why Does Your Hard Drive Not Spinning At Startup?

If your hard disk spindle is damaged or its motor is seized then hard disk not spinning on startup. Generally, you need to perform the platter swap when a spindle or spindle’s motor is damaged physically. Performing the platter swap usually demands professional tools & a clean environment.

Can You Recover Data From A Hard Drive That Won't Spin?

Yes, you can recover your data from a hard drive that won’t spin up only if the HDD not working issue is fixed. After trying out the above-listed techniques, if you are unable to fix this issue by yourself then I’ll suggest you show your hard drive to any professional. Once they fixed this issue then you can use the hard drive data recovery tool to get back your missing data of hard drive.

How Do You Know If My Hard Drive Is Damaged?

If you are getting any of the below-given signs or symptoms then it simply indicates that your hard drive is failed/damaged.

• Strange sounds.
• Overheating of the hard drive.
• Stuck spindle motor.
• Files start disappearing
• Major slowdowns.
• Blue Screen of Death.
• System crashes.

Time To Wrap Up

In this tutorial, I have provided 6 troubleshooting fixes to solve the hard drive does not spin issue. Hence, if your hard drive not spinning on startup then you must try out the aforementioned techniques.

However, if you notice any of your precious data gets deleted after fixing this issue then you can choose the Hard Drive Data Recovery Software to retrieve your lost files.

This is one of the trusted software that will help you to rescue the erased files without backup.

Thanks for reading…!