How to Tell if Mac SSD is Failing?

Solid State Drives (SSDs) are certainly superior to traditional hard drives when it comes to performance. Their writing and reading speeds are incredible, which enables users to transfer files faster, as well as to enjoy an overall better computer experience. Most modern Apple devices ship with SSDs and this is undoubtedly great. The lifespan of SSDs is great nowadays compared to when they were first introduced. However, this does not meant that they are immune to failure – it is still a piece of hardware, and something can always go wrong. So, how to tell if your Mac SSD is failing?

Why do SSDs Fail?

Unlike mechanical hard drives, SSDs work by reading and storing data electromagnetically. This enhances the speed greatly but introduces a minor setback – SSDs have a limited number of read/write cycles. This determines their lifespan. Thankfully, modern SSDs are able to read and write hundreds of thousands of gigabytes before failing. Usually, they are expected to last well over a decade with normal usage. It is highly unlikely that you will get an SSD to fail this way when talking about Macs – you are more likely to change the whole system before the SSD fails.

How to Tell if Mac SSD is Failing?

There are several symptoms that show potential SSD issues that you need to have checked:

• Is your Mac taking too long to save files? If you notice a rapid decline in file transfer speed on your Mac's SSD, then this might be a symptom of trouble. Try restarting your Mac to see if this helps – if it does not solve the problem, then your SSD's health is probably declining. You should run an app to check the SSD's health and performance.
• Mac crashes regularly or while it is booting. Experiencing frequent crashes may be a sign that there is something wrong with your Mac's hardware, and the SSD is one of the first things to check. Typically, either the SSD or the RAM is the cause of the issue. If possible, try to reseat the RAM sticks and check if the issue persists. If it keeps happening, then checking your SSD's health is a good idea.
• Some files are inaccessible, and apps randomly refuse to work. This is usually a sign of 'bad sectors' on your SSD. It is a critical issue, and you should try to replace the SSD as soon as possible before losing all your data. Of course, try to backup as many files as possible before doing so.

If you suspect that your SSD is failing, then you should start backing up your data as soon as possible. After you do this, take your device to an Apple Care center for assistance, or look into replacing your SSD drive.