HDD showing 8 bad sectors - Would you replace it straight away?

Feek · 29 Dec 2025 at 17:26

I had the horrible email from my Synology a couple of days ago.

I've got a replacement drive on the way, but I've done the full extended scan (which took over 24 hours) and it's not reporting any problems.

Normally, I'd swap the drive without a second thought but I wonder - is it worth holding on to the replacement and only swapping it out if/when the number of bad sectors starts to increase?

What would you do?

Armageus · 29 Dec 2025 at 17:37

I'd do it now and get it over with - always better to do at a time that suits you rather than when it decides to fail completely.

randal · 29 Dec 2025 at 17:49

Yep, I'd replace it and take the old disk out the back for target practice.

hornetstinger · 29 Dec 2025 at 17:51

I'd backup all the data, then continue using it, with non critical backed up stuff until it dies, or use it for an additional backup drive (knowing it could be risky but at least have a spare spare backup drive)

It's always seagates...

Quartz · 29 Dec 2025 at 17:59

Feek said:
I had the horrible email from my Synology a couple of days ago.

How much is your data worth? I'd replace the drive ASAP.

Mcnumpty2323 · 30 Dec 2025 at 15:56

Can you confirm the amount of
Bad sectors with another software?
No idea if that's possible
As dont know if they show up as individual drives
Outside the synology software

Does it have some sort of redundancy?
If its not got redundancy
Then yeah would probably replace it

Jim99 · 30 Dec 2025 at 15:58

I'd do it straight away.

Once you don't trust it, it's hard to say what it's useful for. Even using as a third copy of data on a shelf... well, if it's already on the blink then it's not really a third copy.

Whatever RAID / redundancy solution you're using, the last thing you want is a double-fault during a rebuild

5abr3 · 30 Dec 2025 at 20:35

I had a drive report 12 bad sectors a few years back, by the time the replacement had arrived it had jumped to 60 something.

After swapping the drives in the SHR array I started a detailed scan on the Desktop in case a full SMART report was needed for the warranty return and it was totally dead so better to not hang around IMO.

Feek · 30 Dec 2025 at 20:38

Thanks all,

The replacement will be with me tomorrow, really quick delivery considering it’s coming from the USA (which wasn’t clear when I ordered it).

I’ll be installing it straight away. The failing drive is effectively part of a RAID but it’s not worth the risk.

Philtor · 30 Dec 2025 at 22:29

Seagate suck imo. Western Digital all the way!

Sell the Seagate warranty replacement and go for Western Digital

Feek · 30 Dec 2025 at 22:30

Philtor said:
Sell the Seagate RMA replacement

If only.. It's a shucked drive so the moment I opened the case, any warranty went down the toilet.

Philtor · 30 Dec 2025 at 22:31

Ah well. Chalk it down to experience. I just never rated Seagate personally. Too many failures.

Feek · 31 Dec 2025 at 10:48

Drive has arrived and has been swapped. Now comes the slow part, the rebuild. Even tweaking the priority settings, it still takes well over 24 hours.

bimbleuk · 31 Dec 2025 at 11:07

Feek said:
Drive has arrived and has been swapped. Now comes the slow part, the rebuild. Even tweaking the priority settings, it still takes well over 24 hours.

Just had the same on my QNAP. I did a backup ASAP and ordered a replacement. The QNAP would have kept flagging the drive so not much point waiting. 2nd replacement in 8 years so not bad and the simple eject and replace while still running makes it so simple despite that overnight wait for the RAID rebuild.