I noticed a wet spot and bulge on my SSD. Does it need to be replaced?
Posted by HayItzM3@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Hi everyone! I'm going to be upgrading my SSD when the new one comes in tomorrow, but I was taking a part my PC in preparation when I noticed my current M.2 drive has a wet spot and a bulge. I saw that the wet spot could be caused by the heatsink I was using, but the bulge definitely wasn't there a couple months ago. I'm familiar with batteries and capacitors bulging, but I've never seen it on an M.2 drive and I couldn't find any info for the several minutes I was searching around. Should I replace it or is it okay to keep using? I was going to use it as my new system drive (since currently my system is running on a SATA SSD) and use the new M.2 drive as my game drive. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Images: https://imgur.com/a/bVkR1PN
TonePristine1449@reddit
Unplugged mine last night and it’s still doing it🤣🤣 i’m so confused
evolveandprosper@reddit
Your picture shows that the Phison brand SSD controller chip has been getting hot. That has increased the distortion in the covering. However, those covers aren't always flat even when new - see https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hETgGDhMD8aWRttDYdWNdh-1920-80.jpg.webp. If the disk is still working fine then no major cause for concern. However, if you are concerned about it then you could peel off the cover and replace it with an aluminium M.2 SSD heatsink.
HayItzM3@reddit (OP)
I actually saw this when I did some more research last night! I'm not sure if I never noticed the "bulge" or slight bump right in the middle of the drive, or if I just forgot about it which is entirely possible. The drive has been working just fine for nearly a year now and I haven't noticed any issues recently so I think it's exactly what you said. If I did want to get a heatsink for it just in case, do you have any recommendations? This was my first m.2 drive and the MSI Z790 Pro I upgraded to a couple months ago had the first heatsink I had ever used for an m.2. I think I could buy a heatsink directly from MSI, but if they aren't very effective I'd prefer to get a different one. Especially if I put a heatsink on the new SSD, which I've seen mixed reviews on whether I should or not. But anyway, thank you so much!
Temporary_Slide_3477@reddit
The wet stuff is oil from the thermal pads it was under.
The bulge is just the sticker being warmed and pressed around the memory chips.
If the drive works there is nothing wrong with this, every person with a nvme drive under a heatsink with a thermal pad will have something that looks similar.
HayItzM3@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much. I did some more research last night but it was somewhat inconclusive so it helps to have the extra assurance. I may remove the sticker just to check when I get home later but I think I'm fine. I monitor the temperatures of everything in my PC and I never got an alert for that drive. Plus, I never had any performance issues or read/write errors. I think I was just freaking out last night, and waking up to this helped. Thanks again!
Logician22@reddit
I think you need to seek out a data recovery specialist immediately and don’t boot up that SSD. Leave it all alone until you can get everything looked at by someone who is experienced in data recovery so that you don’t lose anything. Look for your local mom and pop pc repair place. Hope this helps
HayItzM3@reddit (OP)
Damn, that bad huh? I was using it primarily as my games drive and it had been running fine for over a year now. Was this user error or did I somehow get a bad drive? I don't remember any bulge a couple months ago when I got a new MBD and case.
Logician22@reddit
Bulges in electronics are never a good sign and sometimes can be a sign of overheating of the drive itself, whatever you do don’t boot it up again as you run the risk of damaging the SSD further. It could be a manufacturer defect or simply a case of user error. Seek out a data recovery specialist they exist and go with someone local preferably so that you’re not charged excessively. What matters is recovering that data so that it’s not lost. Take time to think through your options as well. That’s about as much advice I can give you here on this.
HayItzM3@reddit (OP)
Alright thank you, I'll look into that.
Logician22@reddit
I also plugged this into chat gpt and it came back with this “If you notice a bulge in your M.2 SSD, it’s crucial to handle the situation carefully. A bulging SSD might be a sign of a hardware issue, such as overheating or a defect, and it could potentially fail or cause damage to your system. Here’s what you should do:
Power Down Your System: Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power source to prevent any potential damage or data loss.
Avoid Physical Contact: Do not attempt to press or push the bulging SSD. Physical manipulation can cause further damage.
Check for Warranty: If your SSD is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased it. They may offer a replacement or repair service.
Back Up Your Data: If you can, back up any important data from the SSD using another system or via an external enclosure, if the SSD is still operational.
Replace the SSD: If the SSD is not under warranty or is no longer functional, you will need to replace it with a new one. Make sure to properly dispose of the faulty SSD according to local electronic waste regulations.
Inspect Cooling and Ventilation: Ensure your system has adequate cooling and ventilation to prevent future issues. Overheating can sometimes cause hardware problems.
If you’re unsure about how to proceed, seeking professional assistance from a technician can help avoid further complications.”