Noises from My Book 22T Drive

If your **WD My Book 22TB** drive is making unusual noises, it’s important to figure out whether it’s a normal operational sound or a sign of mechanical failure.

Here’s a **troubleshooting checklist**:

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## 1️⃣ Identify the Type of Noise

* **Normal sounds:**

* Soft humming or whirring (spinning platters)

* Quiet clicking during read/write operations

* **Warning sounds:**

* **Repeated loud clicking** (“click of death”) → often means head or actuator failure

* **Grinding or scraping** → possible platter or head damage

* **Buzzing/vibration** → could be motor issues or mounting problem

* **Beeping** → often indicates the heads are stuck or the drive isn’t getting enough power

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## 2️⃣ Immediate Actions if Noise Is Abnormal

* **Stop using the drive** – continued operation can make damage worse.

* **Disconnect safely** from your computer.

* **Back up immediately** if the drive is still accessible.

* Avoid running intensive software scans (e.g., chkdsk, defrag) on a failing drive.

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## 3️⃣ Basic Checks

* **Cable & port** – Try a different USB cable and port (preferably USB 3.0/3.1).

* **Power adapter** – Ensure you’re using the original WD power adapter; weak power can cause clicking/beeping.

* **Environmental factors** – Keep it on a flat, vibration-free surface.

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## 4️⃣ Recovery Options

* **If the drive is under warranty** → Contact [Western Digital Support](https://support.wdc.com/) for RMA.

* **If data is critical** → Use a professional data recovery service (e.g., Ontrack, DriveSavers).

*Opening the drive yourself will void warranty and can make recovery harder.*

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## 5️⃣ When to Suspect Imminent Failure

If you hear:

* Repeated rhythmic clicking

* Grinding noises

* The drive spinning up and down repeatedly without mounting

…it’s very likely a mechanical failure, not just a software issue.

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If you want, I can give you a **quick sound comparison chart** of normal vs failing hard drive noises so you can match what you’re hearing from your My Book 22TB. That would help confirm if it’s a “must stop immediately” case.