This article describes some common failures that can occur on a Windows Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

Common causes of HDD (Hard Disk Drive) failure on a Windows computer include:

1. Mechanical Wear and Tear: HDDs have moving parts (spinning platters, read/write heads) that wear out over time. Continuous use, especially over several years, can lead to mechanical failures like head crashes or motor failure.

2. Physical Damage: Dropping or bumping the computer can cause physical damage to the HDD, especially when the platters are spinning. This can lead to data loss or head damage.

3. Heat: Excessive heat can damage the internal components of the hard drive, causing parts like the motor or the bearings to degrade, which can result in failure. Poor ventilation or prolonged high temperatures accelerate wear.

4. Power Surges or Loss: Sudden power loss or surges can corrupt data, damage the drive’s controller board, or lead to head crashes if the platters are in motion when the power cuts out.

5. Bad Sectors: Over time, the magnetic platters of an HDD can develop bad sectors, areas that can no longer hold data reliably. If bad sectors spread or affect critical system files, the drive can fail or become unusable.

6. Firmware Corruption: Firmware is the internal software that controls the HDD’s operation. Corrupt or faulty firmware can make the drive inaccessible or cause it to behave erratically.

7. Electrical Failures: Problems with the HDD's printed circuit board (PCB) due to electrical shorts or power issues can result in complete failure. This could be caused by faulty power supplies, surges, or poor electrical connections.

8. Magnetic Degradation: Over time, the magnetic coating on the platters can degrade, reducing the drive’s ability to store and retrieve data reliably. This naturally occurs over many years of use, especially in older drives.

9. Vibration or Shock: Continuous exposure to excessive vibration, such as from poor mounting or an unstable environment, can cause the read/write heads to misalign or damage the platters.

10. Corrupted Filesystem: Software issues like corrupted filesystems, improper shutdowns, or malware can make the HDD appear to fail or render it inaccessible, even if the hardware itself is fine.

11. Water or Liquid Damage: Spilling liquid on a laptop or exposing an HDD to high humidity can cause electrical shorts or corrosion on internal components, leading to failure.

12. Manufacturing Defects: Some HDDs may have inherent defects or weak points due to poor quality control or design flaws, leading to premature failure even with normal usage.

Regular backups, SMART monitoring, and ensuring proper cooling and power regulation can help extend the life of an HDD and reduce the risk of failure.