How to Check SSD Health on Windows 11

If your Windows 11 PC is slowing down, freezing, or acting strange, your SSD might be one of the things worth checking. An SSD can work for years, but like every storage device, it can wear out over time.

In this guide, I will show you three simple ways to check SSD health on Windows 11. You can start with the built-in Windows settings, use a quick PowerShell command, or install CrystalDiskInfo if you want more detailed information.

Quick answer

The easiest way to check SSD health on Windows 11 is to go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disks and volumes, choose your SSD, and open Properties. If Windows supports your drive, it can show health details like estimated remaining life, available spare, and temperature.

For a quick command-line check, you can use PowerShell. For the most detailed SSD health view, use CrystalDiskInfo.

Method 1: Check SSD health from Windows 11 Settings

Windows 11 has a built-in storage section where you can check some drive health information without installing extra software.

Here is how to find it:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Open Settings.
3. You can also press Windows + I on your keyboard.
4. In the left menu, click System.
5. Click Storage.
6. Open Advanced storage settings.
7. Click Disks and volumes.
8. Find your SSD.
9. Click Properties.

If your computer and SSD support this feature, Windows may show details such as:

• drive health
• estimated remaining life
• available spare
• temperature

This is the easiest method because you do not need to install anything. However, Windows may not show detailed health information for every SSD or every computer.

If you do not see SSD health details in this menu, that does not always mean something is wrong. It may simply mean Windows cannot read detailed health data from that drive through this screen.

Method 2: Check SSD health with PowerShell

PowerShell is another quick way to check the basic status of your drive.

This method can look a little technical if you do not use the command line often, but it is still simple. You only need to run one command.

Open PowerShell from the Start menu, then paste this command and press Enter:

Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, MediaType, HealthStatus, OperationalStatus

PowerShell will show information such as:

• drive name
• media type
• health status
• operational status

If the HealthStatus says Healthy, that is usually a good sign.

This method is useful for a fast check, but it does not show every SSD detail. For example, it may not show deeper SMART data, power-on hours, or detailed temperature history.

Method 3: Check SSD health with CrystalDiskInfo

If you want the most detailed SSD health information, CrystalDiskInfo is usually the better option.

CrystalDiskInfo is a free tool that shows more drive information than the basic Windows settings screen. You can search for CrystalDiskInfo and download it from the official website.

After installing and opening CrystalDiskInfo, you can check details like:

• health status
• health percentage, depending on the drive
• temperature
• power-on hours
• drive model
• firmware version
• other SMART information

In the top-left area, you will usually see the general health status. It may say something like:

• Good
• Caution
• Bad

If CrystalDiskInfo says Good, your SSD is probably in a healthy state.

If it says Caution or Bad, you should back up your important files as soon as possible. These warnings can mean the drive has detected issues or signs of wear.

What SSD temperature is safe?

You should also pay attention to SSD temperature. High temperatures can reduce SSD lifespan over time and may cause performance problems.

A slightly warm SSD is normal, especially during file transfers, gaming, or video editing. But if your SSD is constantly running hot, it may be worth improving airflow inside your PC or checking if the drive has proper cooling.

Which method should you use?

Use Windows Settings if you want the easiest check and do not want to install anything.

Use PowerShell if you want a quick basic health status.

Use CrystalDiskInfo if you want the most detailed SSD health information.

For most people, I would start with Windows Settings first. If Windows does not show enough detail, then I would use CrystalDiskInfo.

Extra tips

If your SSD health looks bad, back up your important files immediately. Do not wait until the drive completely fails.

If your PC is freezing or slowing down, SSD health is only one possible reason. You may also want to check free storage space, startup apps, RAM usage, background processes, and Windows updates.

Try to keep some free space on your SSD. Running an SSD almost completely full can affect performance and may make your system feel slower.

FAQ

Can Windows 11 check SSD health without extra software?

Yes. Windows 11 can show SSD health information from the Settings app, but it may not work for every drive.

Why does Windows 11 not show my SSD health?

Some drives may not expose detailed health information through the Windows Settings interface. In that case, you can try PowerShell or CrystalDiskInfo.

Is CrystalDiskInfo safe to use?

CrystalDiskInfo is a popular free tool for checking drive health. Make sure you download it from the official website or a trusted source.

What should I do if my SSD says Caution or Bad?

Back up your important files as soon as possible. After that, consider replacing the SSD, especially if you are seeing crashes, freezing, file errors, or other storage problems.

Does SSD health affect PC performance?

Yes, it can. A failing SSD may cause freezing, slow loading, file errors, or boot problems. However, slow performance can also be caused by many other things, so SSD health is just one part of the troubleshooting process.