HDD produces a slight clicking sound while plugged in via a SATA cable on Windows 11
HDD produces a slight clicking sound while plugged in via a SATA cable on Windows 11
Hello, I recently replaced the old HDD in my Lenovo Y50-70 with an SSD. The external drive I was using previously uses a SATA power+data cable (USB 2.0) and looks exactly as shown in the photo you provided. I've also included a picture of the old drive. The problem I'm facing is that when I connect this SSD to a Windows 11 PC, it produces a continuous, barely audible clicking sound. This only occurs on the Windows PC; the drive works perfectly with a Mac desktop and the original Lenovo laptop, which now has an SSD and a fresh Windows 10 installation. All three devices support reading/writing and formatting, but the PC can't access the drive. Additionally, I've used the same cable to connect another 2.5 HDD from a Seagate external hard drive, which functions fine on the PC. Can you help identify what might be causing this issue?
Front or back USB? The front might face issues with powering drives because of longer internal cables. In any case, opting for a newer cable for your PC would be wise if it supports USB 3. I've experienced similar concerns with older USB 2 adapters, even when using dual plugs—it doesn't always provide sufficient power. It seems some computers restrict USB 2 output to 100mA when no data is connected, leaving only 600mA total, with part of that used by the SATA to USB adapter. While USB 3 works well in its port, it's not always reliable.
This USB cable is strictly for USB 2. I noticed many of these devices acting up when connected to a USB 3 port. Always connect to two USB 2 ports. If the problem continues, test with just one USB plug in a USB 3 port. You might not know which port is the data port, so experiment a bit. For continuous use on your PC, consider a permanent internal mount—it needs a SATA cable and power connector, similar to any HDD. If you need a more versatile adapter, try this option: https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Converter-A...C99&sr=8-7. A USB 3 connector plus external power can supply enough power when using USB 3 only, and you can also use a power adapter if needed. Enjoy your day!
I’ll definitely consider using a USB 3.0 adapter. However, I’m not sure if it will make a difference since it works fine with my PC even when paired with another Seagate 2.5 HDD. It seems the problem might be with either the USB power supply or the 2.0 adapter itself, rather than just the specific combination of this drive and my PC. I’ll order a 3.0 cable soon and check the results. Thanks for the suggestions!
I've experimented with ports at the rear; the 3.0 ports produce the same clicking sound, but a 2.0 port creates a much louder click that sounds like the drive is failing (it didn't fail, I can still access files on another laptop). I'll definitely try using a 3.0 adapter first.
It seems the system transitioned from normal clicking sounds to total inactivity. A few clicks aren't unusual and don't necessarily indicate failure. Is the drive still operational? Also, your Seagate and Toshiba 4TB drives are making a loud grinding noise—does that bother you? Yes, it does. But do they function? Absolutely, they do... though your WD Black is almost silent and includes a fan, which suggests a higher-quality industrial drive rather than a budget model.
Because most motherboards combine the 5V supply for several USB ports, they avoid strict limits on current per port. This usually depends on the particular USB SATA adapter or cable quality. In the past with only USB 2.0, such configurations weren’t common and both cables needed to be connected; sometimes this still didn’t work. I’ve experienced issues with USB 2.0 adapters a lot. Interestingly, USB 3.0 doesn’t supply enough power for SATA SSDs in theory, but it often doesn’t reach full capacity—drives can draw extra current briefly, allowing capacitors to compensate. A HDD, however, tends to draw its maximum power immediately upon startup, which can cause failure if insufficient current is available, resulting in the clicking sound as it repeatedly tries to start.
Yeah, I wasn't really familiar with all that at first, but sometimes I have two or three "sata" hard drives or SSDs connected via USB to my PC or laptop. They *seem* to use very little power, right? The main problem is keeping them organized, because I end up with a lot of drives when handling files. Edit: here my small data setup is pretty simple and budget-friendly! I also have a big 3.5" drive in the cardboard box that I swap out whenever needed. I really like the 2.5" drives—they’re easier to connect, run smoother, and don’t cause any noticeable issues. For example, my Samsung EVO says it draws only 1.4A, and even my laptop works fine with multiple ones plugged in separately. With the 2.5" drives, there’s no clicking or delays, just like when Windows scans for new media files—usually quick and efficient.