How to Tell if Mac SSD is Failing?
The advent of the Solid-state Drive (SSD) technology allowed for data to be stored in a completely new way vastly different from the established mechanical hard drives (HDDs). SSDs lack any moving part, as they use floating gate transistors to store data in a manner similar to DRAM. The advantages offered by the technology compared to a regular HDD are numerous - users can enjoy more shock-resistant drives that run silently and are capable of achieving significantly faster read/write speeds.
For years SSDs maintained prohibitively expensive prices that made them a realistic choice only for people with sizeable budgets. However, with the subsequent development and improvement of the technology, SSDs became more accessible and are now the default drives in many Mac devices. Like any other product, though, even these drives can run into errors or start failing after prolonged use. Mac users should keep an eye out for symptoms that could signal problems with their SSDs.
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Longer Time to Save Files
If you notice that sometimes, your Mac takes an abnormally long to save an otherwise unassuming file, it may be a signal that there are bad blocks on your SSD drive. With age and usage, some of the SSDs cells could wear out to a greater degree than others. When the system tries to save data to such a sector, it could take far longer than usual and the file might not be stored properly.
Frequent Restarts of the System
In certain cases, a hardware failure could lead to critical system crashes and force a restart of the Mac. The causes for the problem could be bad blocks on the SSD that prevent the system from accessing important or crucial files or a potentially faulty connection between the drive and the motherboard.
The first step in addressing the issue is to determine whether it is indeed the SSD's fault. Run Disk Utility and use the available First Aid services to repair any potential disk errors. Keep in mind that Disk Utility can address most software-based causes but it won't be able to restore a failing SSD.
Problems While Booting
If your Mac crashes during the boot process, it could be a signal of a serious issue. One potential cause could be a faulty SSD. More specifically, the Mac system may be unable to read properly the necessary data stored in the boot partition of the drive. Try booting the Mac in Recovery mode. If you are successful, launch Disk Utility and attempt to repair any disk errors it manages to detect.
Back-Up Your Data
Upon noticing the first signals of a failing SSD, try to back up all of your important data to another storage device or the cloud. You also can use the built-in Time Machine service that will allow you to restore your information easily after the drive has been replaced. You also might want to consider taking the Mac to a professional, as they could help you better identify the problem and advise you on the proper actions to avoid such issues in the future.