What is SMART-PRE-FAIL?
S.M.A.R.T. warning - Impending disk failure ranks as a high-severity storage drive (SSD/HDD) issue in our database. Self-diagnosis of the disk predicts its early physical end. Common triggers are end of life (age), defective cable, power outages and high temperatures in the M.2 slot. Follow the steps below to fix it.
Common Causes
- End of life (age)
- Defective cable
- Power outages
- High temperatures in the M.2 slot
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
-
1
Back up all data immediately
Start with Back up all data immediately — it clears the most frequent root cause behind SMART-PRE-FAIL in the majority of cases we've seen.
-
2
Try replacing the SATA data cable
Repeat occurrences typically trace back to less obvious storage instability factors, addressed in the steps ahead.
-
3
Run manufacturer diagnostics
"Run manufacturer diagnostics" is the next step worth ruling out for SMART-PRE-FAIL.
Commands & Diagnostics
chkdsk C: /f /r
wmic diskdrive get status
Frequently Asked Questions
The leading cause of SMART-PRE-FAIL is end of life (age), though defective cable, power outages and high temperatures in the M.2 slot also show up in our reports.
"Back up all data immediately" clears up most SMART-PRE-FAIL reports by itself. The remaining steps above cover what's left.
Rated high severity — SMART-PRE-FAIL isn't immediately destructive, but recurring instances are a sign to fix it sooner rather than later.
Usually. SMART-PRE-FAIL is fixable with the steps above; a full Windows reinstall is rarely necessary unless everything else has failed.
Open CrystalDiskInfo (free tool) to check your drive's S.M.A.R.T. status. Any yellow or red indicators — especially reallocated sectors or pending sectors — confirm the drive is degrading and should be backed up and replaced immediately.
Still Need Help?
Search our full database of 535+ documented PC errors for more solutions and step-by-step repair guides.
Search Error Database