SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-smart-failure

A drive health check warns the disk is about to fail. What should you do first?

Back up the data right away, then replace the drive.

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  1. Run a defragmenter
  2. Keep rebooting until it clears
  3. Back up the data right away ✔

Why: Apple says if Disk Utility tells you a disk is about to fail, back up your data and replace the disk, because it can't be repaired. A S.M.A.R.T. failure is the same kind of warning.

Huh, didn't know that: Apple says to run First Aid on each volume and container first, then on the storage device itself.

The dad joke
The best backup is the one you made before the drive started clicking.
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References

Answer: Back up the data right away. Apple says if Disk Utility tells you a disk is about to fail, back up your data and replace the disk, because it can't be repaired. A S.M.A.R.T. failure is the same kind of warning.

  1. Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac, Apple Support support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/repair-a-storage-device-dskutl1040/mac
    If Disk Utility tells you the disk is about to fail, back up your data and replace the disk
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) V15 Exam Objectives lecbyo.files.cmp.optimizely.com/download/34be017cb73211ef8985a6f347fbf652
    Clicking sounds
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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