WD launches investigation into problems with its controversial SMR hard drives — same drives that got WD sued in 2021 now reporting failure rates due to 'fundamental' flaws

Western Digital is investigating potential issues with its older SMR hard drives, specifically the 2TB to 6TB WD Blue and Red models released around 2020. Data recovery scientists have identified fundamental flaws in these drives, leading to increased failure rates and the risk of data loss and physical damage. The use of SMR technology in these drives has been problematic due to the complexity and potential for failure, particularly in smaller consumer drives. WD previously faced a class-action lawsuit in 2021 for not disclosing the use of SMR in these drives, and now users are advised to check for warning signs like loud noises indicating possible drive failure.