Stiction is a portmanteau of “static” and “friction.” In engineering, it’s used to describe the amount of force required to make something move while it’s in contact with another material.
In the data recovery industry, stiction is also used to describe a hard disk drive (HDD) failure state that was common through the late 1990s — but much less common in 2024.
What is hard drive head stiction?
The platters and actuator heads of a hard drive.
Hard drives contain read/write heads, which pass over the data-storing platters (thin, magnetically coated discs) to read data. The read/write heads hover on a cushion of air, but under normal conditions, they never come into direct contact with the platters.
Hard drive stiction occurred when the read/write heads come into contact with the platters and cannot move off of the platters. This commonly occurred when hard drives lost power while operating.
In most cases, the data recovery treatment for stiction was simply to move the read/write heads off of the platters. Engineers would also have to treat the root cause of the failure, which might include lubrication issues or motor damage. Of course, the read/write heads can cause damage simply by contacting the platters, so a complete recovery wasn’t always possible.
Why isn’t stiction a problem for modern hard drives?
Mostly due to improvements in hard drive design. HDDs typically use ramps to keep the heads from contacting the platters as the drive powers down. Improvements in motor designs have also largely prevented lubrication issues from impacting HDD function.
Essentially: If a modern hard drive loses power, the heads are designed to come to a rest away from the platters, not on them. And while stiction can still occur, this is typically due to severe circumstances — for instance, if you drop a hard drive from a substantial height while it’s operating.
If my hard drive fails, can I try freezing it or warming it up to address stiction?
In a word, no. In two words: No, no. In five words: Please, do not do this.
Back in the ‘90s, the hard drive “freezer trick” was moderately effective for addressing some cases of head stiction. But as we’ve discussed, stiction rarely affects modern hard drives — and putting your drive into your freezer can lead to corrosion and other serious issues that reduce your chances of successful data recovery.
Likewise, heating your drive up won’t do anything productive. Contact a professional data recovery provider as soon as possible.
Related: The Hard Drive Freezer Trick: Debunking the Oldest Data Recovery Myth
How do data recovery companies fix physical hard drive issues?
While stiction isn’t a common problem with modern hard drives, physical hard drive failures still occur. The read/write heads might become misaligned, the spindle motor could fail, or the printed circuit board (PCB) could receive electronic damage — and because hard drives are extremely complex devices, one failed component may damage other components.
The general steps of hard drive data recovery include:
- An initial evaluation. Engineers evaluate the drive for damage and provide a price quote; Datarecovery.com provides free estimates for all hard drive brands and models.
- Physical repair. The drive is treated in a certified cleanroom, which prevents contaminants from impacting the recovery efforts. Damaged components are repaired or replaced.
- Firmware repair. For modern HDDs, some amount of firmware repair may be necessary. Engineers use specialized equipment to adjust the firmware (the operating instructions that the HDD uses to function).
- Verification and return. The recovered data is verified as usable, then returned to the customer via secure FTP or another method.
Datarecovery.com provides an expert resource for hard drive data recovery. With expedited and 24/7 options, we help you restore files from any HDD or SSD — and with our no data, no charge guarantee, you don’t pay for unsuccessful recovery attempts.
To learn more, submit a case online or call 1-800-237-4200 to speak with an expert.
