My WD 4TB is Undetectable Because it Fell From the Table

When a WD (Western Digital) 4TB drive becomes undetectable after a fall, that usually means it’s suffered **physical damage** — possibly to the read/write heads, platters, or internal connectors. Unlike a logical or firmware problem, physical damage is much harder (and riskier) to fix yourself.

Here’s how to handle it step-by-step, without making the problem worse:

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### **1. Stop Trying to Power It On**

* Every spin-up attempt can make physical damage worse if the heads are scraping the platters.

* If you hear **clicking**, **beeping**, or **grinding** noises, that’s a sign of head crash or spindle damage.

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### **2. Understand the Likely Damage**

From a fall, the common failures are:

* **Head crash** – The read/write head physically touches the platter.

* **Spindle misalignment** – The platters no longer spin correctly.

* **PCB damage** – The circuit board cracked or loosened.

* **Loose internal connectors** – Rare, but possible.

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### **3. Check the Easiest Things First**

If the drive is an **external WD drive**:

* **Try a different USB cable** and **different port/computer**.

* Remove it from the enclosure and connect the bare drive via a SATA-to-USB adapter. Sometimes the enclosure electronics die, not the drive.

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### **4. If It’s Still Not Detecting**

* If it **spins normally but is undetectable**, the firmware or heads may be damaged.

* If it **doesn’t spin at all**, it could be PCB or motor damage.

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### **5. For Data Recovery**

If the data is important:

* **Do not open the drive yourself** — it must be done in a cleanroom environment.

* Look for a **professional data recovery lab** (e.g., Stellar, DriveSavers, CBL).

Expect costs between **₹20,000–₹60,000+** in India, depending on damage severity.

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### **6. If Data Is Not Important**

* Check WD warranty status — but note:

* Physical shock damage is **not covered** under warranty.

* They will only replace the drive, not recover the data.

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⚠️ **Important:** If you try “freezer tricks” or DIY head swaps you see online, you will almost certainly make the data unrecoverable.

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If you want, I can give you a **decision chart** so you can quickly see whether this is likely recoverable at home or only via a lab. That will help you decide whether to spend money or not.

Do you want me to prepare that chart for your WD drive?