I have a 20TB WD Red Pro drive that I use as an internal drive for my Plex media server. I'm seeing reports of 80 bad sectors and I'm not sure if this could lead to immediate data loss. I'd love some insights on whether I should be concerned about this and what steps to take next.
3 Answers
If you're noticing bad sectors through SMART readings, you might be okay for now—drive controllers typically manage some errors automatically. But if your OS is reporting these bad sectors instead, that's a serious red flag. It could indicate that the drive is failing and might not be able to handle data correctly. I’d recommend backing up any important data immediately and considering a replacement soon.
It really comes down to where you're seeing those bad sectors. If it's via the SMART stats, that's generally manageable as the drive is likely reallocating them. But if the operating system is flagging them, it’s a sign of trouble. And seeing 80 bad sectors prompts you to be cautious; don’t trust that drive for anything critical. If it’s under warranty, definitely look into getting a replacement.
How old is the drive, by the way? If it's still under warranty, you've got the chance to return it. All drives will have some bad sectors, but persistent growth indicates issues. If you're seeing those bad sectors on tools like CrystalDisk, then keep an eye on it. It’s better to be safe and consider a backup sooner rather than later.
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