Laptop BitLocker failing on drive with power-cycle count limit

4.5

The drive has been turned on/off so many times that the mechanical components are worn.

Symptoms
  • Slow spin up
  • Clicking
  • Error on boot
Possible Causes
  • Frequent restarts
  • Aggressive power saving

Step-by-Step Fix

1

Check SMART Attribute 12

Monitor "Power Cycle Count".

2

Disable HDD Sleep

Reduce wear by keeping the drive spinning during the workday.

3

Replace Drive

Mechanical wear is cumulative and irreversible.

When to See a Technician

High power cycle counts are common in laptops that are frequently opened/closed; consider an SSD upgrade.

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