How to recover data from a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive

Are you looking for a way to recover files from an Integral disk? Do you encounter performance issues or errors that caused a loss of data? Is the data lost irreversibly, or maybe there are methods to recover it?

WD (Western Digital) external HDD Data Recovery

WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive Data Recovery in 2024

Fix the drive, eliminate any errors causing failures, and recover the lost data on your own.

WD (Western Digital) external HDD Data Recovery

If you need to recover an internal or external hard disk (HDD, SSD or SSHD), a memory card or a USB pen drive, the first step is to connect it to a computer. If you want to recover data from a dashboard camera, phone, camera, or a music player, you should remove their memory card and connect it to a desktop computer. Also, you can try this tutorial for internal phone storage, if you connect your phone to a computer and it displays your device in This PC folder as a USB drive.

The Program For Recovering WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive Data

Are you looking for a way to recover data?

If files have been deleted from a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive, and it is impossible to recover them by using standard tools of your operating system, the most effective way will be to use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

For this purpose, do the following:

  • Download the program install and launch it.

  • By default, users are suggested to start with File Recovery Wizard. Click «Next» and the program will ask you to select the disk you want to recover your files from.

  • Double-click on the disk and select analysis type. Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be show files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

The Program For Recovering WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive Data
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How to Recover Deleted Files With Hetman Partition Recovery Software

How to Recover Deleted Files With Hetman Partition Recovery Software

Recover Data From WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive After Formatting or Deleting Partition

Recover Files After Formatting

Are you looking for a way to recover files from a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive after formatting? Follow this guide:

  • Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and launch it. After launch, the program will find and display all physical disks as well as available and unavailable partitions and areas on your disks, showing this information in the left part of the main window.

  • Double-click on the disk or the area from which you need to recover files and select analysis type.

  • Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be show files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

Recover Files After Formatting

Recover Data From Deleted Partition

Are you looking for a way to recover files from a deleted partition in a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive? Follow this guide:

  • Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and launch it. After launch, the program will find and display all physical disks, flash drives or memory cards in the left part of the main window. The list of physical devices is shown after logical drives

  • Double-click on the device from where a partition was deleted.

  • Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be shown files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

Recover System Partition With LiveCD

If there is no possibility to connect a hard disk with a lost or damaged system partition to another computer, you can recover such partition by starting your computer with LiveCD, an alternative portable version of an operating system. For this purpose, do the following:

  • Find a LiveCD which is good enough for your needs, download it and copy it to a CD\DVD or a flash drive.

  • Connect the LiveCD to your computer and turn it on. The computer will reboot automatically with the LiveCD.

  • Copy files from the system partition to another media (often it can be an external hard disk).

Recover System Partition Data on Another Computer

If the system partition is lost, a computer will not boot. That is why:

  • Take out of the computer or disconnect the hard disk where the system partition was lost.

  • Connect this HDD to another computer.

  • Make sure that your hard disk is recognized by the other computer correctly.

  • Now, follow the steps as shown in the previous section.

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How to Recover Data After Formatting, Deleting or Creating Partitions

How to Recover Data After Formatting, Deleting or Creating Partitions

SMART Parameters Of WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive

Large hard disk manufacturers include S.M.A.R.T. technology into their products. S.M.A.R.T. analyzes a great number of mechanical attributes. This analysis allows detecting hard disk errors before it breaks down completely, and it can also help to find out why it happened.

In spite of S.M.A.R.T. ability to predict future problems, most of them cannot be prevented. Therefore, S.M.A.R.T. is a technology which often warns users of the hard disk nearing its end. S.M.A.R.T. values cannot be corrected and there is no need to waste time on that.

Every hard disk manufacturer sets a threshold value for every operation. Under normal circumstances, threshold values are never exceeded. Otherwise, we encounter errors.

There are 256 values, each having its own ID. Some errors and extreme values are critical. There is no solution for such errors. The only way out for them is to replace the hard disk as soon as such error is detected.

There are no methods to correct critical SMART errors. If the hard disk is not replaced, the error will be displayed again and again. The only justified reason for still keeping the disk will be the need to save data from the sectors which are still available. If the error warning comes true, the disk will become unavailable for any program known. That is why there are steps to be taken to save your data.

Go to view
How to Use Victoria to Test and Fix Your Hard Disk

How to Use Victoria to Test and Fix Your Hard Disk

Restore File System On WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive

If it is impossible to recognize the file system on WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive, hard disk, format the device.

File System In WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive Is Recognized as RAW

Sometimes the operating system cannot recognize the file system structure (for example, FAT or NTFS). If you check properties of such device, its file system will be identified as RAW. In this case, Windows suggests formatting the disk.

There are utilities specialized in restoring RAW disks, but we recommend using a versatile solution, Hetman Partition Recovery. This function is an additional component, so you only have to launch the program and analyze such disk.

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How to Fix Flash Drive Errors: The Drive Can’t Be Recognized, Wrong Size, RAW File System

How to Fix Flash Drive Errors: The Drive Can’t Be Recognized, Wrong Size, RAW File System

Run CHKDSK Command

In some cases, the file system on a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive can be repaired with the command CHKDSK.

  1. Launch the Command prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type in the command “chkdsk D: /f” (instead of D: type in the letter of the corresponding disk) and press ENTER.

  3. As you launch the command, the process of error checking and correcting will start; it can help to restore your file system back to normal.

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How to Check Your Hard Disk for Errors and Fix Them in Windows 10

How to Check Your Hard Disk for Errors and Fix Them in Windows 10

Restore Partitions On WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive With “Diskpart” Command

If a USB drive, a memory card or another media work incorrectly, cleaning the disk and its partitions with the command “Clean” and Diskpart tool can become one of the ways to solve the problem. This tool can correct errors if the device cannot be formatted or when its size is identified incorrectly.

  1. Launch the Command prompt as Administrator.

  2. Run the command DISKPART.

  3. Show the list of disks with the command LIST DISK and find the number of the disk which you need to recover.

  4. Select the disk you need: SELECT DISK # (instead of # enter the disk number).

  5. Run the command CLEAN.

  6. Create a partition in the cleaned disk and format it into the file system you like.

Go to view
How to Fix Flash Drive Errors: The Drive Can’t Be Recognized, Wrong Size, RAW File System

How to Fix Flash Drive Errors: The Drive Can’t Be Recognized, Wrong Size, RAW File System

Find Bad Sectors And Errors, Run The Defragmentation

Scan The Disk For Errors And Bad Sectors Snd Correct Them

Check all partitions of the hard disk and try to correct the mistakes which have been found. For this purpose, do the following:

  • Open the folder «This PC».

  • Right-click on the disk containing an error.

  • Select Properties / Tools / Check now (in the tab Error-checking).

As a result of scanning, the errors found on the disk can be corrected.

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How to Check Your Hard Disk for Errors and Fix Them in Windows 10

How to Check Your Hard Disk for Errors and Fix Them in Windows 10

Run Disk Defragmentation

  • Open the folder «This PC» and right-click on the disk.

  • Select Properties / Tools / Optimize (in the tab Optimization and defragmentation).

  • Select the disk you need to optimize and click Optimize.

Note. In Windows 10 defragmentation/optimization can be scheduled so that it is performed automatically.

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How to Defragment Your PC's Hard Drive on Windows 10

How to Defragment Your PC's Hard Drive on Windows 10

Repairing WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive

It is important to understand that any of the ways to eliminate errors in a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive hard disk is only a virtual solution to the problem. Often it is impossible to remove the cause of the error completely, because the device needs repairing.

You can go to a service center to fix the breakage or replace parts/microchips of a WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive. Yet in this case the cost of works will be several times as expensive as buying a disk or memory card. So this step is only worth taking if you need to recover very important data.

Creating Backup Copy Of WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive

There are several solutions to create data backup copies:

  1. Applications built into the operating system. Microsoft Windows offers methods of data backup that suggest saving files and data to external or intrernal (built-in) media storages. All modern versions of Windows are already equipped the fuction of creating a backup copy of certain files or the entire hard disk if necessary. The functions offered by Windows are comprehensive and self-sufficient, and they are meant to be convenient enough so that you do not go looking for third-party services or software.

  2. Manual backup. You can always use the good old method of creating a backup copy by manually copying the data to an external medium. it is a long process but if you work with small amounts of data, such solution can be acceptable for you.

  3. Online services. Recently the most up-to-date way of data backup is becoming popular, represented by numerous online services. These are companies that provide backup for your files right on the Internet. A small background application installed on your computer creates copies of thnecessary data and saves them to a remote server. However, the space allowed for storing files in a free version is too small to use this method as a complex solution. Often this space is under 10 Gb so there is no way to create a backup copy of the entire hard disk. Such services are more practical when things come to backing up a series of files.

  4. Creating a disk image. This is the most comprehensive solution to create a backup copy which is preferred by advanced users. This method suggests using a third-party program to create a backup copy of the entire disk which can be used on another information-carrying medium if necessary. With this solution, you can get access to all data which was there on the disk at the time of copying - documents, software and media files - within a short period of time.

Go to view
How to Set Up and Configure File History in Windows 10, 8

How to Set Up and Configure File History in Windows 10, 8

Models external Hard Drive WD (Western Digital):

  • My Passport Air;
  • My Passport Cinema;
  • My Passport AV-TV;
  • My Passport X;
  • My Passport Ultra Metal;
  • My Passport Wireless;
  • My Passport Wireless Pro;
  • My Passport Ultra;
  • My Passport Enterprise;
  • My Passport Studio;
  • My Passport Pro;
  • Elements;
  • My Book AV;
  • My Book AV-TV;

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 16:11 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering WD (Western Digital) external Hard Drive Data after failure, formatting or deleting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the common causes for a clicking noise in an external HDD WD (Western Digital), and how can they be identified?

    There are several common causes for a clicking noise in an external WD HDD, and they can be identified through the following methods:

    1. Power Issue: Insufficient power supply or a faulty power adapter can cause clicking sounds. To identify this, try connecting the HDD to a different power source or using a different power adapter.
    2. Loose Connections: Loose or faulty cables can result in a clicking noise. Check the USB or data cables connecting the HDD to the computer, and ensure they are securely connected. Try using a different cable to see if the clicking persists.
    3. Mechanical Failure: A clicking noise can also indicate mechanical failure within the HDD itself. This is often caused by a faulty read/write head or damaged platters. To identify this, listen closely to the clicking sound – if it is repetitive and rhythmic, it is likely a mechanical issue. In such cases, professional data recovery services may be required.
    4. Firmware Issue: Sometimes, outdated or corrupted firmware can cause clicking noises. Check the manufacturer's website for any available firmware updates for your specific WD HDD model. Updating the firmware may resolve the issue.
    5. File System Corruption: If the file system on the HDD is corrupted, it can cause clicking sounds. To identify this, connect the HDD to a different computer and check if the clicking persists. If it does not, it may indicate a problem with the file system on the original computer.

    It is important to note that if the clicking noise persists, it is recommended to immediately back up any important data from the HDD and contact WD support or a professional data recovery service for further assistance.

  • How can a user troubleshoot and fix a clicking noise issue in their external HDD WD (Western Digital) without professional help?

    If you are experiencing a clicking noise issue with your external HDD WD (Western Digital), there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try before seeking professional help. However, it's important to note that a clicking noise in a hard drive often indicates a mechanical failure, and in such cases, it may be necessary to contact a professional data recovery service.

    Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix the clicking noise issue:

    1. Backup your data: Before attempting any troubleshooting, make sure to back up your important data from the external hard drive. This is crucial as further troubleshooting steps may potentially lead to data loss.
    2. Change the USB cable and port: Faulty USB cables or ports can sometimes cause issues with the connection between the hard drive and the computer. Try using a different USB cable and connect the drive to a different USB port on your computer.
    3. Check for loose connections: Ensure that all connections between the hard drive, USB cable, and power source are secure. Loose connections can sometimes cause clicking noises.
    4. Use a different computer: Connect the external hard drive to a different computer and check if the clicking noise persists. This step can help determine if the issue is with the hard drive or the computer.
    5. Run CHKDSK utility: CHKDSK is a built-in Windows utility that can scan and repair errors on the hard drive. To run CHKDSK, follow these steps:
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Type "chkdsk X: /f" (replace X with the drive letter assigned to the external HDD) and press Enter.
    • The utility will scan and attempt to repair any errors on the drive. Be patient as this process may take a while.
    1. Use WD Drive Utilities: Western Digital provides a software tool called WD Drive Utilities, which allows you to diagnose and manage your WD external hard drive. Download and install this software from the official Western Digital website. Use the software to run diagnostics on your drive and check for any potential issues.
    2. Check for firmware updates: Visit the Western Digital support website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your specific external HDD model. Updating the firmware can sometimes resolve compatibility issues and improve the drive's performance.

    If none of these steps resolve the clicking noise issue, it is recommended to contact Western Digital support or a professional data recovery service for further assistance. Remember, attempting to open the hard drive or perform any repairs yourself may cause further damage and void any warranty.

  • Are there any specific conditions or actions that can lead to a clicking noise in an external HDD WD (Western Digital), and how can they be prevented or mitigated?

    Yes, there are several conditions or actions that can lead to a clicking noise in an external WD HDD:

    1. Physical Damage: Dropping the external HDD or subjecting it to physical shocks can cause the internal components to become misaligned or damaged, resulting in a clicking noise.
    2. Power Issues: Insufficient power supply or fluctuations in power can cause the HDD to click. Ensure that the HDD is connected to a stable power source and use a high-quality power adapter.
    3. Overheating: Excessive heat can cause the internal components of the HDD to expand and contract, leading to clicking sounds. Ensure that the HDD is adequately ventilated and not placed in a hot environment.
    4. Firmware or Software Issues: Corrupted firmware or software conflicts can cause the HDD to malfunction and produce clicking sounds. Keep the firmware and drivers up to date, and avoid using incompatible software.
    5. Mechanical Failure: In some cases, clicking noises can indicate a mechanical failure within the HDD, such as a faulty read/write head or spindle motor. This may require professional data recovery services.

    To prevent or mitigate clicking noises in an external WD HDD:

    1. Handle with Care: Avoid dropping or subjecting the HDD to physical shocks.
    2. Stable Power Supply: Connect the HDD to a stable power source and use a high-quality power adapter.
    3. Proper Ventilation: Ensure that the HDD is adequately ventilated and not exposed to excessive heat.
    4. Regular Maintenance: Keep the firmware and drivers up to date, and avoid using incompatible software.
    5. Backup Data: Regularly backup important data to minimize the risk of data loss in case of HDD failure.

    If the clicking noise persists or is accompanied by other issues like data loss or slow performance, it is recommended to consult a professional for further diagnosis and assistance.

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