Why does my computer say hard drive failing?

⚠️ Why You're Seeing This Warning

• SMART Errors (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology)
  Your hard drive has built-in sensors that monitor its health. If it detects:
  • Too many bad sectors
  • Slow read/write speeds
  • Imminent mechanical failure
    It triggers a warning to let you know the drive might stop working soon.
    
    
• Strange Noises or Slow Performance
  If you've noticed:
  • Clicking, grinding, or buzzing noises
  • Very slow boot times
  • Files disappearing or becoming corrupted
    These are classic symptoms of a failing hard drive.
    
    
• Age of the Drive
  Mechanical hard drives (HDDs) typically last 3–5 years under regular use. SSDs last longer but can also fail due to write exhaustion or controller issues.
• Power Surges or Physical Damage
  If your system was recently dropped, exposed to heat, or lost power unexpectedly, the drive might be physically damaged.
  
  

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✅ What to Do Right Now (Don't Wait)

• Back Up Your Data Immediately
  • Plug in an external drive or upload important files to cloud storage (like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.).
  • Prioritize photos, documents, and anything you can’t replace.
    
    
• Don’t Restart Too Often
  • Every reboot stresses a dying hard drive and risks making data recovery harder.
    
    
• Run Diagnostic Tools
  • Windows: Try CrystalDiskInfo (free) to check SMART status.
  • Mac: Use Disk Utility → First Aid.
  • Most drive manufacturers (Seagate, Western Digital, etc.) also offer tools on their websites.
    
    
• Replace the Drive
  • Even if it’s still working, consider it unreliable.
  • Clone it to a new SSD or HDD if you want to preserve the whole system (use software like Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla, etc.).
    
    
  
  

Sounds like a bummer.  Have you tried running a hard drive check utility?  Sometimes, it's a false alarm, but better safe than sorry.  Definitely back up your data ASAP.