Hard Drive Not Spinning?
Your Data May Still Be Recoverable.
When you connect your hard drive and hear nothing, or just a faint click before silence, it means the platters are not spinning. This could be a seized motor, PCB failure, or stuck heads. Each has a different solution, and your data is often recoverable.
Why Is My Hard Drive Not Spinning?
A hard drive that won't spin up typically has one of these four issues:
- 1Seized Motor Bearings: The spindle motor is physically stuck. You may hear a faint hum or nothing at all.
- 2PCB Failure: The motor driver chip, TVS diode, or other electronics are damaged. Often from power surges.
- 3Stuck Heads (Stiction): The read/write heads are stuck to the platters, preventing rotation. Common in 2.5" drives.
- 4Firmware Corruption: The drive's internal software prevents spin-up as a protective measure.
Professional Oversight and Verified Standards
Our Austin lab operates on a transparency-first model. We use industry-standard recovery tools, including PC-3000 and DeepSpar, combined with strict environmental controls to make sure your hard drive is handled safely and properly. This approach allows us to serve clients nationwide with consistent technical standards.
Open-drive work is performed in a laminar-flow bench filtered to 0.02 µm, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008.
Media Coverage
Our repair work has been covered by The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, with CBC News reporting on our pricing transparency. Louis Rossmann has testified in Right to Repair hearings in multiple states and founded the Repair Preservation Group.
Aligned Incentives
Our "No Data, No Charge" policy means we assume the risk of the recovery attempt, not the client.
Technical Oversight
Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann's well trained staff review our lab protocols to ensure technical accuracy and honest service. Since 2008, his focus has been on clear technical communication and accurate diagnostics rather than sales-driven explanations.
We believe in proving standards rather than just stating them. We use TSI P-Trak instrumentation to verify that clean-air benchmarks are met before any drive is opened.
See our clean bench validation data and particle test videoHow to Tell What's Wrong
Complete Silence
You connect the drive and hear absolutely nothing. No vibration, no hum, no clicks.
Likely cause: PCB failure (blown TVS diode, failed motor driver) or severe motor seizure. The electronics are not even attempting to spin the motor.
Recovery approach: PCB diagnosis, component-level repair or transplant with ROM/adaptive transfer.
Faint Hum Then Nothing
You hear a brief electrical hum or feel slight vibration, then the drive goes quiet.
Likely cause: Motor trying to spin but something is blocking it. Usually stuck heads (stiction) or partially seized bearings.
Recovery approach: Clean bench head unstick procedure, possible head swap if damaged during stiction.
Single Click Then Spin-Down
The platters spin up briefly, you hear one click, then everything stops and powers down.
Likely cause: Heads attempted to load but failed. The drive entered protective shutdown. Could be weak heads, firmware issue, or degrading motor.
Recovery approach: PC-3000 firmware manipulation to bypass safety checks, selective head imaging, or head swap.
Beeping Sound
The drive makes a rhythmic beeping or buzzing sound when connected.
Likely cause: Motor is trying to spin but heads are firmly stuck to platters (stiction). The motor pulses repeatedly trying to break free.
Recovery approach: See our beeping hard drive recovery page for details.
What NOT to Do With a Non-Spinning Drive
Do NOT Do These Things
- ✕Tap, shake, or hit the drive - This can dislodge heads or scratch platters
- ✕Put it in the freezer - Condensation causes corrosion and further damage
- ✕Open the drive yourself - Dust contamination destroys data in minutes
- ✕Swap the PCB with another drive - Modern drives have unique ROM data that must be transferred
- ✕Keep trying to power it on - Each attempt can worsen mechanical damage
Do These Instead
- ✓Stop using it immediately - Preserve the current state
- ✓Note the exact symptoms - What sounds does it make? When did it stop working?
- ✓Try a different power source - Use a powered USB hub or different SATA power
- ✓Keep it at room temperature - Avoid extreme heat or cold
- ✓Contact a professional lab - Get a free diagnosis before deciding
Non-Spinning Drive Recovery Pricing
Cost depends on what's preventing spin-up. We provide a firm quote after free evaluation.
PCB Repair
Blown TVS diode, failed motor driver, ROM transplant
$300-$800
Stiction Repair
Heads stuck to platters, clean bench unstick
$1,000-$1,500
Motor/Platter Swap
Seized spindle, platter transplant to donor
$1,500-$2,000
No Data, No Charge: If we cannot recover your data, you pay nothing (optional return shipping only). Free evaluation with no obligation.
Related Symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my hard drive not spinning?▾
A hard drive that won't spin can have several causes: seized spindle motor bearings, failed motor driver on the PCB, stuck heads (stiction), blown TVS diode from power surge, or corrupted firmware preventing spin-up. Each requires different recovery techniques.
Can data be recovered from a hard drive that won't spin?▾
Yes. Data recovery from non-spinning drives is common. If the motor is seized, we can transplant platters to a donor drive. If heads are stuck, we unstick them on a clean bench. If the PCB is damaged, we repair or transplant it. Success rates are high when the platters themselves are undamaged.
How much does it cost to recover data from a drive that won't spin?▾
Recovery costs depend on the cause: PCB repair is typically $300-$800, stuck heads (stiction) repair costs $1,000-$1,500, and motor/platter transplant for seized spindles costs $1,500-$2,000. We provide a firm quote after free evaluation.
My hard drive clicks once then stops spinning. What does that mean?▾
A single click followed by spin-down usually indicates the heads attempted to load but failed, causing the drive to enter a protective shutdown. This is often caused by weak or damaged heads, firmware issues, or a degraded motor. Professional imaging equipment can often work around this.
Should I tap or shake a hard drive that won't spin?▾
No. Tapping or shaking a hard drive can dislodge heads, scratch platters, or worsen existing damage. If the motor is seized, physical force will not free it. If heads are stuck, impact can drag them across the platters destroying data. Let professionals handle it.
Drive Not Spinning? Get a Free Diagnosis.
We'll identify the cause and give you honest recovery odds. No data = no charge.