The Driver tab that appears in the Properties menu for each device in the Device Manager has a few other options.
Instead, you may want to check the manufacturer's website for a specific driver for your external hard drive see our guide to updating Windows drivers for more help. However, this rarely finds a new driver for generic devices like flash drives.
If that doesn't help, you can right-click on the affected device in the Device Manager and use the Update Driver button to install an updated driver. If the problem started recently, try running System Restore to roll back the changes. There are some more general steps you can take if those guides don't work for your issue, though.ĭriver problems can be tricky to fix.
Also, ensure your PC is properly vented to prevent overheating, which can cause drives to prematurely fail.We've explored how to fix the "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)" error as well as fixes for "Unknown USB Device", which provide good troubleshooting steps for driver issues. Any type of shock, such as dropping your laptop, can destroy your hard drive. If you’re using an HDD, simply be careful with it, especially when it’s spinning. How can I make my hard drive last longer? Otherwise, you may end up with a new hard drive while other hardware starts to fail or becomes obsolete.
If the answer is no, it’s probably best to upgrade to a new PC if possible. Is it still compatible with most newer apps and Windows 11? For older PCs, take a look at your other hardware. If your PC’s only a year or two old, it’s much cheaper to buy a new hard drive. Is it worth replacing a failing drive or should I buy a new PC? However, it’s important to note that Windows 11 is switching from Master Boot Records (MBR) partitioning to GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning, so older drives may need to be converted first. How does upgrading to Windows 11 affect my hard drive health?Īs long as your PC meets the minimum requirements and you have ample free space available, there shouldn’t be an issue.
Traditional SATA hard drives may have largely made way for much faster solid-state drives, but they’re still very popular and remain an affordable way to store things like pictures, videos and other non-strenuous file types. On Dell and HP laptops, you should be able to check hard drive health by going to the BIOS and looking for “Diagnostics.”Īlso read: How to Fix “This Setting Is Managed by Your Administrator” in Windows 10 2. While you’re in the BIOS, it’s also a good place to see whether the hard drive you want to check is actually being detected by your PC/motherboard.