How to Check Your Hard Drive or SSD
The part that holds everything deserves a check-up.
A drive usually gives warnings before it fails. These checks take a few minutes in Windows and tell you whether yours is healthy.
Step by step
- Back up your important files first, in case the drive is already failing.
- Open File Explorer and choose This PC.
- Right-click the drive, usually C:, and choose Properties.
- Open the Tools tab and, under Error checking, choose Check, then Scan drive.
- Look at how full the drive is. A drive with almost no free space will be slow.
- With the room quiet, listen to the computer for a minute. Clicking or grinding is a warning.
What the result means
- No errors found, no noises: the drive is probably healthy.
- Errors found and repaired: back up now and check again in a week. If they come back, the drive is wearing out.
- Clicking, grinding, or a scan that never finishes: switch off and call us. See data recovery.
Not sure? Call 020 7237 6805. We are happy to talk it through, and the assessment is free.
Questions and answers
Does an SSD need checking too?
Yes. SSDs fail without any noise at all, so the scan and a good backup matter even more.
My drive is nearly full. Is that a fault?
No, but it slows the computer. Clear some space, or ask us about a larger drive.
The scan found errors. Should I keep using it?
Back up first. A drive that keeps producing errors should be replaced before it fails.
More guides
- Check your Computer Before You Call
- Check your Computer’s Memory
- Check If your Computer Is Overheating
- Check your Laptop Battery and Charger
- Check your Internet and Wi-Fi
- Check your Computer for Viruses
- Back Up your Files Before a Repair
Let us take a look
The assessment is free, the price is fixed before we start, and every repair carries a 3-month warranty. Call 020 7237 6805, or tell us what is wrong and a technician will reply.