WD Black 6TB HDD issues/troubleshooting

Hello all,

Purchased a WD 6TB not too long ago and it seems to be having issues. I store several video files on the HDD among a number of other files. It often will hang when trying to load a folder or file. Sometimes when watching a video it will seem to pause for 1-2 minutes and then just continue playing. Sometimes it continues to happen other times it happens several times in row before fixing itself.

I know I can simply format it and hope for the best but was wondering if there a way to test it, troubleshooting it before I go ahead and wipe. I have about 4TB of data on there currently.

Please let me know what you need from me. My build specs in my profile are updated.

Thanks!

Do people actually read the OP's problem before responding with canned answers?

He says the video will pause/hang for one or two minutes, then resume. The drive is not idle, so there's no reason to think that the power scheme is spinning down the drive. Scratch suggestion #3.

The OP bought the drive "not too long ago" and has a few video files. Fragmentation is unlikely (and wouldn't result in 1-2 minutes of "hang" time. Scratch suggestion #4.

topgundcp said:

1. Download: Downloading File /69241/CrystalDiskInfo7_6_0.zip - CrystalDiskInfo - OSDN and run to check if there's any yellow warning sign.
   and also look at the temp if it exceeds 40 degree C.
2. Is this 6TB disk external or internal ? If External then there's an interface circuit inside the enclosure controlling disk I/O between it and the PC. If the interface is not well designed, the I/O speed can be varied from time to time. Transfer speed is much slower with USB interface than with Sata port.
3. Check the power scheme. The default is set for 20 minutes, if there's no activity, the disk will spin down to save power. Set it to Never.
4. After a while using the disk, the disk will be fragmented, files will scatter. You'd need to run Disk defragment to consolidate files on the Disk.

It's an internal HDD. Will do these when I get home later today but as the gentleman below mentioned. This happens when drive is active, I suppose the slow loading of a particular folder or the driver itself happens more when it is coming out of an idle state though?

Drive is <12 months old.

margrave55 said:

Do people actually read the OP's problem before responding with canned answers?

He says the video will pause/hang for one or two minutes, then resume. The drive is not idle, so there's no reason to think that the power scheme is spinning down the drive. Scratch suggestion #3.

The OP bought the drive "not too long ago" and has a few video files. Fragmentation is unlikely (and wouldn't result in 1-2 minutes of "hang" time. Scratch suggestion #4.

Thank you for clarifying and saving me the time on the other 2 suggestions.

swarfega said:

On a side note, do you do regular backups. It can be a bit more problematic with larger drives as to finding the right solution.

I have a backup of all the data on this drive on an external HDD. Wiping is not an issue just something I'd rather avoid unless I absolutely have to.

I would suggest that you test your WD Black Internal drive with Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows. Even a new drive can become defective. The ultimate test is to use the manufacturer's diagnostic/repair utility.
How to check if a WD drive is damaged or defective | WD Support

just check power management - computer might be turning it off

Although this may not be applicable in this instance, there are drives available that major on recording and playing back media... these drives are typically lower performing in absolute terms and may have slower spin speeds. The big difference is that they prioritise steady data flow above all else, even putting such things as error correction at a lower priority.

One example is the Seagate "Video 3.5"

Also if the OP hasn't already registered that drive with WD, he should, because the WD Black drives have a full 5 year warranty. I've had WD replace a couple of them in the past.

topgundcp said:

1. Download: Downloading File /69241/CrystalDiskInfo7_6_0.zip - CrystalDiskInfo - OSDN and run to check if there's any yellow warning sign.
   and also look at the temp if it exceeds 40 degree C.
2. Is this 6TB disk external or internal ? If External then there's an interface circuit inside the enclosure controlling disk I/O between it and the PC. If the interface is not well designed, the I/O speed can be varied from time to time. Transfer speed is much slower with USB interface than with Sata port.
3. Check the power scheme. The default is set for 20 minutes, if there's no activity, the disk will spin down to save power. Set it to Never.
4. After a while using the disk, the disk will be fragmented, files will scatter. You'd need to run Disk defragment to consolidate files on the Disk.

CrystalDiskInfo checks out fine. All in good status, 43 C temps.

jumanji said:

I would suggest that you test your WD Black Internal drive with Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows. Even a new drive can become defective. The ultimate test is to use the manufacturer's diagnostic/repair utility.
How to check if a WD drive is damaged or defective | WD Support

This program force closes 8 seconds into this test on this drive. Could not get it to work. This test runs fine on my 1.5TB WD Black.

mblack said:

just check power management - computer might be turning it off

Hard drive disks set to never turn off.

Mooly said:

Although this may not be applicable in this instance, there are drives available that major on recording and playing back media... these drives are typically lower performing in absolute terms and may have slower spin speeds. The big difference is that they prioritise steady data flow above all else, even putting such things as error correction at a lower priority.

One example is the Seagate "Video 3.5"

I got a steal on the Black drive, been using them for a long time now. I actually have a 1.5TB WD Black this is also installed in the PC that I also use pretty consistently that has no issues. Thank you for the suggestion though as the drive is primarily video/audio files.

storageman said:

Also if the OP hasn't already registered that drive with WD, he should, because the WD Black drives have a full 5 year warranty. I've had WD replace a couple of them in the past.

This is something I need to do right now as it may be a failed drive. Any other tests I can run before going through that process?