I keep getting notifications about my SSD being degraded/at risk, but it says 96% health.

Understanding SSD Health Alerts: Why Your Drive Shows 96% Despite Warnings

If you’ve recently received notifications indicating that your SSD is at risk or degraded, but the drive health status reports a healthy 96%, you might be feeling confused. This inconsistency can be perplexing, especially if you’re not well-versed in SSD technology. In this article, we delve into what such alerts mean, why they might appear despite a high health percentage, and what steps you should take to ensure the safety of your data.

The Scenario

Many users encounter notifications like “Attention required” related to their Solid State Drive (SSD) during system startup. These alerts often cite a SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) event indicating potential risk. However, when checking the drive’s health through system settings, it still indicates approximately 96% estimated remaining life, with no immediate failures reported.

Common Reasons for Discrepancies

1. SMART Attributes and Thresholds
   SSD health monitoring tools interpret various SMART attributes—such as reallocated sectors, erase cycles, or wear leveling counts. A warning might be triggered if certain parameters cross predefined thresholds, even if the overall health percentage remains high.

2. Degraded Reliability Indicators
   The warning about “degraded reliability” suggests that while the drive is not failing imminently, some attributes indicate potential wear or early signs of wear-out. Manufacturers often set thresholds that, when approached, prompt users to back up data, even if the drive still functions properly.

3. Different Reporting Standards
   The system’s built-in health checker and third-party or manufacturer-specific tools may use different metrics or interpret SMART data differently. This can lead to conflicting messages regarding the drive’s condition.

4. Firmware or Software Glitches
   Occasionally, firmware bugs or software glitches can produce false alarms. Ensuring your SSD firmware and your diagnostic tools are up to date can help reduce false warnings.

What Should You Do?

• Backup Your Data Immediately
  Regardless of the current health percentage, any warning about reliability should prompt a backup of your important data. Don’t wait for a failure to occur.

• Update Firmware and Diagnostic Tools
  Check the manufacturer’s website for any firmware updates for your SSD. Also, ensure your drive monitoring software is current.

• Review SMART Attributes
  Use trusted tools (like CrystalDiskInfo, Samsung Magician, or SSD Toolbox) to