My WD Elements external HD is making clicking sounds

[mark m]

I purchased a Western Digital Elements 4 TB portable hard drive. It's only 4 months old and only has about 300 GB's on it. Yesterday it started making loud clicking sounds. You can feel them if you put your hand on top. I safely removed it and tried again, but still the same loud clicking sounds. I always thought there was a SSD inside it because it's so small, but SSD's don't make clicking sounds. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You.

 

[MaikuTech]

3 choices you can make:
Toss it out and walk away with no questions asked.
1.

2.https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?p=3&lang=en
Trouble shoot it and find out if the drive is unhealthy and failing.

3.

https://support.wdc.com/contact_phone.aspx
After you get done losing it ask for this:
Contact for rma support after you verified the drive is failing under warranty.

 

[DelJo63]

Erase all content (eg: reformat the drive) and return it. The 4TB models have issues.

 

[mark m]

I just deleted all my files and packaged it all up. Is reformated required? Also it's kind of discouraging knowing that the 4TB models have issues and their sending me a replacement. What's the use if this might happen again?

 

[mark m]

I have never had luck with external portable or powered hard drives. Even though there more expensive with less memory would a SSD external drive be more reliable?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GZBT36/?tag=httpwwwtechsp-20

 

[MaikuTech]

I just deleted all my files and packaged it all up. Is reformated required? Also it's kind of discouraging knowing that the 4TB models have issues and their sending me a replacement. What's the use if this might happen again?

Yes go ahead and reformat it, let windows dsk manager handle it or use this:
https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager/epm-free.html
Make sure you scan the drive for any errors or bad sectors before you do anything else.
https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?h=p2&ID=940&lang=en&p=110

 

[DelJo63]

(1) I've been using the 2TB devices for several years now; it seems the issues are in the 3-4TB units.

(2). Before you do ANYTHING with the new drive,

• delete all partitions
• recreate one or more as you see fit
• then LOW LEVEL reformat (that is -- do not use Quick Format) as NTFS

The low level formatting will rewrite EVERY sector and reset the Bad Sector Table.

Believe it or not, even NEW drives are shipped with numerous bad sectors.

 

[mark m]

I already sent the unit back for a replacement early this morning. You guys are right that the 4TB'S have problems. Even the technician told me himself. I should of requested a 2TB replacement, but I sincerely doubt they will do that. If they send me a 4TB replacement is there anything I can do to make it last longer? like partition or anything.

 

[MaikuTech]

I already sent the unit back for a replacement early this morning. You guys are right that the 4TB'S have problems. Even the technician told me himself. I should of requested a 2TB replacement, but I sincerely doubt they will do that. If they send me a 4TB replacement is there anything I can do to make it last longer? like partition or anything.

Manufacturers will only replace of what you've bought.
Unless they are out of the drives or discontinued.
Also split the 4tb into 2tb logical partitions.
That will help with some of the stress when it is working full speed