How do I replace a failed hard drive in my Synology NAS?

Replacing a Failed Hard Drive in a Synology NAS

Step 1: Identify the Failed Hard Drive

Before replacing the failed hard drive in your Synology NAS, you need to identify which drive has failed. To do this:

1. Access the Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) web interface.
2. Navigate to the Storage Manager application.
3. Select the "Hard Disk" tab to display the status of all the drives in your NAS.
4. Look for any drives marked as "Failed" or with a warning sign indicating an issue.

Step 2: Prepare the Replacement Hard Drive

Once you have identified the failed hard drive, it's time to prepare the replacement drive. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your Synology NAS by pressing the power button.
2. Disconnect the NAS from the power source and any network connections.
3. Remove the failed hard drive carefully from its slot by unlocking the drive bay latch.
4. Unpack the new hard drive and ensure it is compatible with your Synology NAS model.
5. If required, configure the replacement drive by formatting it to the appropriate file system using your computer.

Step 3: Install the Replacement Hard Drive

With the replacement hard drive prepared, it's time to install it into your Synology NAS:

1. Insert the prepared replacement hard drive into the empty slot previously occupied by the failed drive.
2. Make sure the hard drive is properly aligned and gently push it into place until you hear a click.
3. Close the drive bay latch to secure the replacement hard drive.

Step 4: Power On and Rebuild RAID

Once the replacement hard drive is installed, follow these steps to power on your Synology NAS and rebuild the RAID:

1. Connect the NAS to the power source and network.
2. Turn on the NAS by pressing the power button.
3. Access the Synology DSM web interface.
4. Navigate to the Storage Manager application.
5. Select the "Volume" tab.
6. Locate the RAID volume that was affected by the failed drive.
7. Click on the "Manage" button next to the RAID volume.
8. Select "Repair" to start the RAID rebuilding process.

Please note that the duration of the RAID rebuilding process may vary depending on the capacity and performance of your NAS, as well as the size of the replacement drive.

It is important to regularly monitor the status of the RAID rebuilding process through the Synology DSM web interface to ensure its successful completion.

By following these steps, you will be able to replace a failed hard drive in your Synology NAS and restore the functionality of your storage system.