Windows 11 Update Reportedly Damaging SSDs and Hard Drives
▼ Summary
– The Windows 11 KB5063878 update is reportedly causing storage failures, making drives disappear and their SMART data unreadable by the OS.
– Phison has acknowledged the issue, stating it affects multiple storage devices including some of their controllers, and is reviewing impacted models.
– Affected drives include models from WD Blue, Corsair, and SK Hynix, though the WD Black SN7100 is claimed to be unaffected.
– The problem may occur during heavy write operations, potentially due to drive cache issues or a Windows memory leak, leading to file corruption.
– User experiences are mixed, with some reporting issues while others remain unaffected, highlighting the risk of correlation without causation.
Recent reports suggest the KB5063878 update for Windows 11 24H2 may be causing serious storage issues, including drive failures and corruption. Users have observed drives becoming undetectable by the operating system, with SMART data rendered unreadable following the installation of this specific update.
According to a widely shared post on social media platform X, the problem appears linked to certain NAND controllers, particularly Phison’s DRAM-less models, which may be more vulnerable under heavy write operations. The post further speculates that the root cause could involve drive cache malfunctions or a memory leak within Windows’ OS-buffered cache region, increasing the risk of file corruption when symptoms manifest.
In response to these claims, Phison Electronics issued a formal statement acknowledging the situation. The company confirmed it is investigating the reported industry-wide impact of both the KB5063878 and KB5062660 Windows updates on various storage devices, including some that use Phison controllers. They emphasized their commitment to working with partners and providing ongoing support to address any confirmed issues.
A number of popular SSD models have been named in user reports as potentially affected, including the WD Blue SN5000, Corsair MP510 and MP600, and SK Hynix Platinum P41. Interestingly, some drives like the WD Black SN7100 are said to remain unaffected, though widespread testing is still underway.
Online tech communities are divided. A lengthy Reddit thread features users sharing conflicting experiences, some describe sudden drive disappearances and BIOS recognition failures after updating, while others suspect pre-existing hardware issues may be to blame. One user recounted a temporary SSD detection failure that resolved after multiple restarts, adding to the uncertainty.
It’s worth noting that storage drives can fail independently of software updates, and the high frequency of Windows patches increases the likelihood of coincidental timing. Still, given the volume of user complaints and the involvement of major hardware manufacturers, many are advising caution. Those using potentially affected drives may want to delay installing the update until more clarity emerges from ongoing investigations.
(Source: pcgamer)