Why does my SSD keep Losing Space?

Solid-state drives, also known as SSDs, are storage drives on PCs. It can make your operating system, apps and programs run faster.

It also acts as a cache on your hard drive. You can fix your SSD if it keeps getting full for a variety of reasons.

A Lot of Blocks

The SSD on your computer contains a lot of blocks. The SSD in your computer has a large number of blocks. The SSD will save the data from a document or application to a separate block. When your PC has a large amount of data, the HDD needs to work harder in order to find a block that is free to save a new file.

The SSD will take longer to locate a free block the more blocks you have. These can slow down the process of saving a file and also make it take longer to open an app. Learn what causes your hard drive to fill and which fixes work for you.

Ten Reasons Why Your SSD keeps filling up

People search online to discover why their SSD is constantly filling up. Many people claim their SSD fills up even before they turn on their computer. It is likely that your issue stems from one of these things.

1. Too many applications

Your SSD is full because you’ve installed too many applications. Apps are useful, but make sure that you really need them before you download them. The manufacturer will install a few applications on your new computer.

There’s likely to be a Microsoft Office trial and a Microsoft Office game center. Once your trial period is over, you can’t open or edit documents. You may think that you need to download all of those apps. However, each app you download will take up space on your SSD.

2. Too Much Data

A second problem is that you may have too much data stored on your SSD. We have already explained that the SSD saves content using open blocks. You use your SSD space when you save your progress in a video game or a school document.

The drive may always use a different block in many situations. The SSD will save the updated copy of a document to a separate block if you edit the document and save it.

3. Cache Files

Junk files and cached files are the same thing. They’re files that you don’t need on your computer. Cached files are a good example. Your computer creates a temporary folder of all the websites you have visited, images you have viewed, and videos you have watched.

When you download files, your PC will also cache the files. They are supposed to help your computer download content faster, but often they slow down things.

4. Malware

Think again if you think you don’t require anti-virus software, because you are too intelligent to fall victim to scams. If you click on an email spoofed from your bank, or a website for gaming, you run the risk of picking up a computer virus.

You may not even be aware that malware can take over many blocks of your SSD. Viruses are also capable of causing a lot damage. After you download a computer virus, the virus may claim you do not have enough space to store your files and force you to buy virtual storage.

6. Hidden files and folders

Hidden folders and files can cause your SSD to fill up more quickly than necessary. You may not be aware that a hidden folder or file exists on your computer. When you download free apps, it’s possible to pick up malware.

The spyware installs hidden files on your computer that it uses to retrieve private information and send it to the hacker. It’s possible to download files that contain hidden files and directories, even if they come from a reputable source. These files are large and difficult to locate.

7. Corrupted software

You should also look out for any corrupted software. If you change the operating folder of a program or shut down your PC before closing a particular program, you can cause damage to your software.

Even deleting files you don’t need can prevent the software from functioning correctly. Software that is corrupted can sometimes fail to work correctly and make it think it has to keep a log of what you have done in the past. These logs can take up valuable storage space.

8. Your recycling bin is full

You can set up automatic recycling on many PCs. You can set it up to delete the files from that bin every day, once a week, or according to a schedule. This feature is not available on all PCs, and many users don’t set it up.

When you delete a document, your PC removes it from your desktop. It then adds it to your Recycling Bin. You can restore a file that you accidentally deleted by opening the Recycling Bin. The space that your SSD takes up will be affected by any file in the Recycling Bin.

9. Restored data

Have you ever been working on a large project at work or for school, and then watched in horror as the system crashed? You probably lost a great deal of work by the time you figured things out. Windows PCs automatically backup your files while you are working.

You can often find an older version that contains the information you need if you lose the latest version. This can be useful in the event of a disaster, but it may also cause your SSD drive to fill up more quickly than necessary and prevent you from working.

10. Offline files

Use programs and apps with both an online and offline mode? They are popular because they can be used even without an internet connection. Offline, you can accomplish a lot of things.

As soon as you log in, the app will sync the files with your online version. It can also store them on the cloud. These apps can take up a large amount of space. They need space not only to run but also to store temporary offline files.

fixes for an SSD that keeps filling up:

The information above will help you identify some of the reasons your SSD is filling up. It’s a good time to find solutions.

1. Use Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup helps you eliminate unwanted files. Your OS will update itself automatically and overwrite some of its older files. These files will still fill your SSD even though the OS no longer uses or needs them. Windows PCs already come with Disk Cleanup installed.

Open the program and select your SSD drive from the list. Click the OK button to start the tool. After you have found all the files that you need, you can select the files you wish to delete. If you don’t use Disk Cleanup, some apps will do the same.

2. Remove Hidden Files

Why not delete the hidden files on your SSD? You can do this on a Windows PC by opening the “Control Panel” and clicking “File Explorer Options”. Then, select “View.” In the middle of the screen, you will see a folder with the words “Don’t Show Hidden Files or Folders.”

By removing the checkmark from this box you can view all the hidden files. Search your SSD for hidden folders and files. Empty your Recycling Bin after you have deleted them.

3. Change your files

You need to change the way your apps save files, whether you only use one or several programs online and off. Open the app, then go to the “Settings” section. Find the “Saved” option and switch it to “Access All Files Online.”

This will tell the app you do not want it to sync any data, but only use online files. This change may take some time to be implemented, especially if there are still files the app needs to upload or sync.

4. Turn off System Restore

Most users don’t find it necessary, even though System Restore can be helpful. This feature is not useful if you regularly save your work and have a backup.

You can easily turn it off by loading your “Settings”. Click on the This PC icon and select “Right-Click”. Wait for the next window to appear after selecting “Properties”. Click “System Protection”, then “Configure” to get you there.

A slider bar is located at the bottom of the screen, right under Disk Space Usage. Slide the slider bar left to reduce how much space is used by the feature. The change must be applied and your PC restarted.

5. Check for corrupted files

You may not be aware that corrupted files occupy a large amount of space on your SSD. As the administrator of your computer, this is the easiest method. Wait for your PC to start by logging in as administrator.

Enter chkdsk /f/v/x on your computer when you see the blank screen. Let the computer do its work by pressing Enter. Once it has stopped, enter Y in uppercase into the PC. The computer will shutdown and restart in order to search for corrupted data. It will not only try to fix the files but also give you an option to delete them.

6. Delete programs and apps

Have you ever downloaded a video game and found that it was nothing like what it appeared in the trailer? All of us have been there. 

You may also experience problems when you download applications that you thought you would use, only to find out that they’re not very good. It’s likely that you didn’t delete the programs from your SSD.

Even if the icon is gone from your desktop the program still takes up space on the SSD. Click on Control Panel, then click Programs. 

Click on the unwanted app and select Uninstall. Check your SSD after you’ve deleted the unwanted apps and programs. You may find that some cached or hidden files remain.

7. Empty your Recycling Bin

Many people don’t try this simple remedy. Think about the last emptying you did. It was last month, last year, or a few months back.

If you don’t change your PC’s settings or create a schedule, it won’t empty the Recycling Bin automatically. Check the Recycling Bin and make sure that all the files are no longer needed or junk. You may find that emptying the recycling bin will free up more storage space than you thought.

Do SSDs Slow Down When Full?

Yes, When your SSD is full, it will be slower. You may not check your drive every day or even every week, so it could fill up without you noticing.

You may notice that your PC is slower than usual when you open or run an application. Your PC may slow down if you play a game, or run a program which takes up lots of space on the disc. In many cases, the PC can run 50% slower if your SSD is full.

How long does it take?

There is no set time for an SSD to reach capacity. This depends on its type and brand. You should start to notice a slowdown when the drive reaches 80%. Other users have reported that they noticed a slowdown when their drives reached 50% or 60%.

Does it matter if the SSD is full?

No, and It is not okay for your SSD to have a full capacity. Think about the feeling you get after eating a large meal, then decide to indulge in a small dessert. Your stomach will be so full by the time you finish the last bite that it feels like it could burst. You will likely feel tired and drowsy, so you’ll want to nap.

You feel the same. The SSD doesn’t have the space to run apps or to do anything else you might want to do.

What happens when your SSD is full?

When the SSD is filled, you cannot access or change any of your files. When you open a previously saved file, your drive may say that it can’t find it or that the file is corrupted.

You’ll receive an error message even if you are able to open the file. If your OS is located on an SSD, which is common on modern PCs, the same problem can occur. If the OS is not given enough room to run, it may display a warning or blue screen when you start your computer.

How much empty space should I leave on my SSD?

The 20% rule is a favorite among older gamers and IT professionals. The 20% rule says that you should leave 20% of your SSD available at all times.

You use up valuable space every time you save something to the drive. Leave a minimum of 20 percent of your SSD free space or do not use more than two thirds of the available space. A SSD must have a minimum of 10% free space to function properly.

Conclusion

Although your SSD is important, storing too much data can cause your OS to malfunction and cause issues whenever you open an app or try to use it. The apps and computer settings you use can cause these drives to fill up. These remedies will help you to prevent your SSD from becoming overloaded and ensure it has enough space.