Question:

How to troubleshoot SSD file transfer issues when the disk health is reported as good?

I have an SSD (Drive E) that is having problems with transferring or backing up some files. The transfer speed drops to zero and I get a “Data Error Cyclic Redundancy Check” message. However, when I use Crystal Disk and Disk Sentinel to check the disk health, they both show that it is in excellent/good condition. There are some errors reported, but they are less than the errors on my main drive (Drive C), which is in acceptable condition and has no file transfer issues. What could be the cause of this problem? Is it possible that my main drive is interfering with the file transfers, or is my SSD (Drive E) actually failing despite the good report? I have attached a screenshot of the disk reports for reference.

Please advise me on how to resolve this issue. Thank you.

Answer:

Solid state drives (SSDs) are faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, they are not immune to problems, such as file transfer issues, that can affect their performance and data integrity. In this article, we will discuss some possible causes and solutions for SSD file transfer issues, especially when the disk health is reported as good by diagnostic tools.

What are the symptoms of SSD file transfer issues?

One of the common symptoms of SSD file transfer issues is that the transfer speed drops to zero or becomes very slow when copying or moving files from or to the SSD. Another symptom is that the file transfer fails with an error message, such as “Data Error Cyclic Redundancy Check” or “The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error”. These errors indicate that there is a problem with the data or the device, and that the file transfer cannot be completed.

What are the possible causes of SSD file transfer issues?

There are several possible causes of SSD file transfer issues, such as:

• Bad sectors: Bad sectors are areas of the disk that are damaged or corrupted, and cannot be read or written. Bad sectors can occur due to physical damage, wear and tear, power surges, malware, or improper shutdowns. Bad sectors can affect the file transfer speed and cause errors, as the disk tries to read or write data from or to the bad sectors.
• File system errors: File system errors are logical errors that occur in the structure or organization of the files and folders on the disk. File system errors can occur due to improper formatting, partitioning, resizing, cloning, encryption, or defragmentation of the disk. File system errors can also occur due to virus infection, software bugs, or power failures. File system errors can cause the disk to become inaccessible, unreadable, or unwriteable, and result in file transfer issues.
• Driver issues: Driver issues are problems that occur in the software that controls the communication between the disk and the operating system. Driver issues can occur due to outdated, incompatible, corrupted, or missing drivers. Driver issues can cause the disk to malfunction, not be recognized, or perform poorly, and lead to file transfer issues.
• Cable or port issues: Cable or port issues are problems that occur in the hardware that connects the disk to the computer. Cable or port issues can occur due to loose, damaged, or faulty cables or ports. Cable or port issues can cause the disk to lose connection, not be detected, or have intermittent performance, and cause file transfer issues.

How to diagnose and fix SSD file transfer issues?

To diagnose and fix SSD file transfer issues, you can try the following steps:

• Check the disk health: The first step is to check the disk health using diagnostic tools, such as Crystal Disk or Disk Sentinel. These tools can scan the disk for bad sectors, errors, temperature, and performance, and provide a report on the disk condition. However, these tools are not always accurate or reliable, and may not detect all the problems on the disk. Therefore, you should not rely solely on these tools, and use other methods to verify the disk health.
• Run CHKDSK: The second step is to run CHKDSK, a built-in Windows tool that can check and repair file system errors on the disk. To run CHKDSK, you can follow these steps:
• Open the Command Prompt as administrator.
• Type `chkdsk E: /f /r` and press Enter. Replace E with the drive letter of your SSD.
• Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time depending on the size and condition of your disk.
• Restart your computer.
• Update the driver: The third step is to update the driver for your SSD, which can improve the compatibility and performance of your disk. To update the driver, you can follow these steps:
• Open the Device Manager.
• Expand the Disk drives category and right-click on your SSD.
• Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer.
• Replace the cable or port: The fourth step is to replace the cable or port that connects your SSD to your computer, which can eliminate any hardware issues that may affect your disk. To replace the cable or port, you can follow these steps:
• Shut down your computer and unplug the power cord.
• Open the case and disconnect the cable from your SSD and the motherboard or the power supply.
• Connect a new or different cable to your SSD and the motherboard or the power supply.
• Alternatively, you can connect your SSD to a different port on the motherboard or the power supply.
• Close the case and plug the power cord.
• Turn on your computer and check if the disk is working properly.

Conclusion

SSD

file transfer issues can be frustrating and potentially harmful to your data. However, by following the steps above, you can diagnose and fix the problem, and restore the normal function of your disk. If none of the steps work, you may need to contact the manufacturer or a professional for further assistance. You may also want to backup your data regularly to prevent any data loss in case of disk failure.