Complete Drive Test stops at 90% complete

If your **Complete Drive Test (e.g., using WD Data Lifeguard, WD Dashboard, or any third-party tool like CrystalDiskInfo or SeaTools)** consistently stops or hangs at **90%**, here’s what that likely means and how you can proceed:

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### ⚠️ What It Typically Indicates

> **A drive test halting at 90%** is usually a sign of **bad sectors**, **unstable read areas**, or a **firmware-level timeout**.

The test does **not crash**—it stalls because:

* It's **struggling to read** a problematic area of the disk.

* The drive's **error recovery algorithms** (e.g., sector remapping or ECC correction) are taking too long.

* The drive might be experiencing **thermal throttling** or **power instability**.

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### 🧪 Steps to Diagnose Further

#### ✅ 1. **Check SMART Data**

Use **CrystalDiskInfo**, **WD Dashboard**, or **Hard Disk Sentinel** to check:

* **Reallocated Sector Count**

* **Current Pending Sector Count**

* **Uncorrectable Sector Count**

⚠️ If you see **non-zero values**, the drive has begun to degrade and may be failing.

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#### ✅ 2. **Try a Short Test**

Run the **Quick/Short Drive Test** in WD software:

* If **this passes**, the damage might be isolated.

* If **this fails**, the drive is likely in trouble.

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#### ✅ 3. **Use Third-Party Scanning Tools**

Try running a **full surface scan** using:

* [HDDScan](http://hddscan.com/)

* [Victoria HDD (Windows)](https://hdd.by/victoria/)

* \[MHDD (bootable)]

These tools give block-by-block read status and may pinpoint exact LBA/failing region.

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#### ✅ 4. **Backup Your Data Immediately**

If not already done:

> 🚨 **Backup critical data now.**

> A drive failing at 90% during a test is often **near total failure**.

---

#### ✅ 5. **Run `chkdsk` (Windows only)**

```bash

chkdsk X: /f /r

```

* Replace `X:` with your drive letter.

* This attempts to recover data and re-map bad sectors.

* It can take **hours** if the drive is large or failing.

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#### ✅ 6. **Try the Test on Another PC/Port**

Eliminate these variables:

* Use a different **USB/SATA cable**

* Plug into a **different port**

* Test on a **different PC** if possible

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### 🔁 If It Keeps Failing: RMA or Retire

* If your drive is still under warranty, go to [WD RMA Portal](https://support.wdc.com/warranty/) to request a **replacement**.

* If out of warranty, consider **replacing the drive**—do **not rely on it** for important data, even if it seems to work intermittently.

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### 🧠 TL;DR

| Symptom | Likely Cause | Recommendation |

| -------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------------------- |

| Test halts at 90% | Bad sector / read error | Backup + check SMART |

| SMART shows errors | Degrading drive | Replace soon |

| Short test fails too | Deep failure | Stop using the drive |

| Test never finishes | Firmware hang / media error | Try alternate tools or RMA |

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If you share the **drive model**, **SMART report**, or the software used for testing, I can provide more tailored guidance.