Can SSD Bad Sectores Be Repaired? Fix Corrupted SSD Easily

You have bad sectors on your PC and wondering can SSD bad sectors be repaired. We have go you covered. We will explain the type of bad sectors, and how to repair bad sectors without losing data.

Bad sectors significantly lower the SSD performance. If you have bad sectors on your SSD, you will face reading/writing errors, performance issues, and more. The bad sectors damage the area, making storing and accessing data unreliable. If you are wondering, can SSD bad sectors be repaired? You are at the right place. This EaseUS blog will see what causes bad sectors in SSDs and how to fix them.

How Do I Know My SSD Contains Bad Sector? Symptoms

What exactly is a bad sector, and how can we define it on the SSD? SSDs are storage devices that use NAND flash memory. Reading and Writing with NAND flash memory make SSDs powerful and fast. Bad sectors are areas in memory where the SSD cannot read or write. They do not allow users to write/read accurately, leading to data loss, corruption, and depreciating performance.

SSDs are robust and reliable for data storage. Due to the hardware, SSD performance can decrease with time, but if you face issues, even if they are new, it can be a symptom of a bad sector. Are there any definite signs/symptoms that indicate bad sectors? Yes, the following signs indicate bad sectors and hard drive failure.

• ⛔Cannot read data: If you have a file on your SSD and cannot read it, The bad sectors do not allow reading.
• ⛔Boot BCD Error: If you encounter a boot BCD error, it could be a sign of a bad sector. If the system constantly faces boot errors, you should use the system repair methods to fix it.
• ⛔Startup Problems: If your SSD frequently crashes while booting, it shows a failing hard drive. Try the reset key and see if the issues persist.
• ⛔SSD becomes read-only: Generally, you cannot write to the SSD if it contains bad sectors. If you find the SSD read-only, it indicates something is wrong with it.
• ⛔SSD slows down: You cannot read or write data in corrupt areas, significantly decreasing SSD performance.

Possible Causes of Bad Sectors in SSDs

Bad sectors are of two types: Logical and Physical. Logical bad sectors are caused by logical errors in the software or the OS, which can be easily repaired. However, physical bad sectors occur due to damage to the flash memory cells, which permanently lose the stored data. Let us see some factors responsible for SSD's bad sectors:

• ⚠️Software and firmware issues: Errors and bugs are responsible for this. Software issues can only corrupt data, so we can use tools to repair logical bad sectors.
• ♻️Wear and Tear: Electronic devices tend to wear out with time. After some time, the NAND memory cells cannot read/write to their full potential. The SSDs have a limited number of write cycles before they start to underperform and develop bad sectors.
• ☎️Manufacturing defects: If the SSD has any manufacturing defects, the quality and performance are affected.
• 🔌Power Issues: An unstable power source damages the SSD. Sudden surges, faulty supplies, or lightning strikes also damage the SSD's workings.

Some other issues like malware, human errors, and improper shutdowns also result in bad sectors.

How to Repair Bad Sectors in SSD (Proven Effective)

As we know, it is nearly impossible to repair bad sectors due to physical problems. However, the solutions below will help you get your SSD working back to normal if you have logical bad sectors. We will discuss five effective solutions to fix the bad sectors in SSDs, including updating drivers, updating firmware, using the error-checking tool, performing the CHKDSK command, and upgrading to a larger SSD. Keep reading.

Fix 1. Update drivers

Windows OS updates and performs functions to recover drives suffering from bad sectors. The operation checks if the latest updates are available for the drivers and makes changes. Let us see how to update Disk drivers.

Step 1. Search for Disk Manager on your PC and enter it.

Step 2. Expand Disk Drives, right-click on the SSD driver with bad sectors, and click Update driver.

Step 3. Restart the PC when you finish the updates.

You can also go with Uninstall. If you reboot the PC, the OS automatically reinstalls the latest drivers.

Fix 2. Update firmware

Outdated firmware can also incur bad sectors onto the SSD. We need to find the manufacturer and download the firmware updates. 

Step 1. Open File Explorer. Click This PC and right-click on the SSD you want to update.

Step 2. Select Properties.

Step 3. Click on Hardware and find the manufacturer.

Step 4. Once you know the SSD brand or manufacturer, you can download the SSD firmware update tool online. 

Step 5. Install and run the software to get the latest SSD firmware on your device.

Additionally, SSD manufacturers offer management and diagnosis tools for SSDs. Find the tools and try to repair the bad sectors on your SSD.

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Fix 3. Use the Error Checking tool to Scan and Repair SSD

Windows OS provides the error-checking tool for SSDs to scan and repair drives.

Step 1. Right-click on the SSD you want to check, and select Properties.

Step 2. Navigate to Tools.

Step 3. Click on Check > Scan and repair drive. 

This will scan the drive for bad sectors and errors and implement solutions to fix them. 

Fix 4: Perform CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a CMD command that checks the disk for errors. It scans for hard drive errors on your PC. Running the command helps you find and fix mistakes and organize data.

Step 1. Open CMD with administrator rights.

Step 2. Enter the below command and execute it.

• chkdsk X /r

Replace the X with the drive letter on your SSD. If you want to run the CHKDSK command for the drive with the operating system, you can run chkdsk /r without any drive letter. Next, Windows will ask you to schedule a disk check the next time the system restarts. Click Y and Enter.

Step 3. Restart the PC after completing the scanning for bad sectors.

Fix 5. Upgrade to a Larger SSD

Corrupt sectors reduce your device's storage and complicate data read and write. So, if you have physical damage or cannot fix the SSD, it is advised to upgrade to a larger SSD. You can clone and upgrade to a larger hard drive without reinstalling windows, avoiding bad blocks, and use it on your PC.

Bonus: Upgrade SSD with Bad Sectors to a Normal One

Bad sectors usually result in various PC disadvantages. To solve these issues, professionals recommend an SSD upgrade. Now, the real question is, is the data on the old drive lost completely? No.

The solution is to clone the old SSD to the new one to retrieve the data and OS and insert the new SSD. With EaseUS Disk Copy, sector-by-sector cloning helps you clone the data bit-by-bit to save the entire data. You can upgrade your SSD and recover your Windows OS, gaming data, and more. The fantastic part is you can directly boot your PC without reinstalling Windows.

What about the bad sectors, and how does the software deal with them? The software intelligently avoids the bad blocks while cloning to keep the larger SSD safe. Additionally, you can create rescue disks to back up your data in case of accidents. Download and try the EaseUS Disk Copy to protect your data.

Here are the steps to clone a disk with bad sectors:

Step 1. Download, install and run EaseUS Disk Copy on your PC.

Click "Disk Mode" and select the hard drive that you want to copy or clone. Also tick the "Sector by sector copy" option if your hard disk has bad sectors. Click "Next" to continue.

Step 2. Select the destination disk.

Note: The destination disk should be at least the same big or even larger than the source disk if you want to copy or clone the source hard disk.

Step 3. Check and edit the disk layout.

If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to Check the option if the target is SSD.

Step 4. Click "OK" to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

Step 5. Click "Proceed" to start the hard drive cloning process.

Practical Tips to Avoid Bad Sectors in SSDs

If you have logically bad sectors, you can still recover data, but data will be lost with physical damage. That said, it is essential to avoid repeating mistakes to keep SSDs safe. So, here are some tips you can follow to avoid bad sectors in SSDs.

• ✅Keep the PC clean and connect to a stable power source.
• ✅Shut down the PC properly.
• ✅Backup and organize the disk frequently.
• ✅Avoid using the PC at high temperatures.
• ✅Perform scans frequently and install necessary antivirus to monitor SSDs.

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The Bottom Line

Bad sectors on SSDs affect system performance and data security. If you find symptoms of bad sectors on your PC and wonder if SSD bad sectors can be repaired, the post details 5 solutions. Corrupt sectors put your data at risk, so you can upgrade to a larger SSD with EaseUS Disk Copy and save your data. By avoiding bad sectors, sector-by-sector cloning helps you upgrade the SSD without losing data. Get it for free.

FAQs About How to Repair Bad Sectors on SSDs

1. What are the symptoms of a bad SSD?

A common warning sign of a bad SSD is decreased read and write speeds. If it takes longer than usual to boot or load apps, issues like being unable to read or write data onto the drive indicate signs of SSD failure. An overall decrease in performance calls for an SSD checkup.

2. Does formatting SSD remove bad sectors?

Formatting the SSD erases all the data and performs a scan to repair any logical bad sectors. Meanwhile, restoring the SSD and recovering data is impossible for physically bad sectors.

3. Should I replace a drive with bad sectors?

Usually, SSDs that come with bad sectors by default do not affect the PC. If the bad sectors are developed over time, impacting the performance requires some handling. You can first try to repair the bad sectors and then opt for a hard drive replacement if issues exist.