Western Digital Investigates High Failure Rates in Older SMR Hard Drives

Western Digital has launched an internal investigation into reports of elevated failure rates affecting some of its older SMR-based hard drives. The drives in question include 2 TB, 3 TB, 4 TB, and 6 TB WD Blue and Red models, specifically those with model numbers WD*0EZAZ, WD*0EDAZ, and WD*0EFAX, which were released around 2020. These models have previously been at the center of controversy due to the undisclosed use of Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) technology, resulting in a class-action lawsuit and a $2.7 million settlement in 2021.

Understanding the SMR Technology Issue

SMR, or Shingled Magnetic Recording, is a technology that increases storage capacity by overlapping data tracks on the hard drive platters, allowing up to 25% more data per platter compared to traditional methods. While this approach boosts areal density, it also introduces certain limitations. Rewriting data on SMR drives often requires adjacent tracks to be rewritten, which can lead to increased latency and potential instability. These characteristics make SMR drives less suitable for demanding workloads, such as those involving RAID or ZFS arrays.

According to 030 Datenrettung Berlin GmbH, a data recovery firm that first published an analysis of the failures, the root cause may lie in the inherent design limitations of SMR technology, particularly in lower-capacity consumer drives. The firm and other data recovery specialists have observed a pattern of physical damage and data loss in the affected models, raising concerns about long-term reliability.

Western Digital's Response and User Guidance

Western Digital has acknowledged the reports and stated that its engineering teams are conducting a thorough internal review. The company emphasized that it takes these findings seriously and is committed to understanding the underlying causes.

Users who own WD Blue or Red hard drives in the 2 TB to 6 TB range, especially those manufactured from 2020 onward, are encouraged to monitor their hardware for early signs of failure. Warning symptoms may include unusual clicking or grinding noises coming from the drive platters. If such symptoms are detected, it is advisable to back up important data immediately and consider replacing the drive to prevent potential data loss.