HDD clicks as though arm reset, works when it wants to, no surface err

I'm having an issue with a HDD (ST31000524AS) where it clicks often as though the arm is resetting to its resting position. Other issues include the drive disappearing from Device Manager, random explorer freezes while browsing, and of course random freezing when use of.

I ran a surface scan that came up clean using EASEUS Partition Master, as well the default Windows utility. Is there anything else I can do to see what the problem may be? HDD is fairly new but of course out of warranty.

Is the hard drive overheating? Do you use and apps to monitor system temps? That's where I would start looking first.

It's not a heat issue, everything is pretty cool in there. The drive is less than three months old as well, so I'm going to be a bit upset if it's something serious. Assuming all wires are tight and what not, you believe it may be a mechanic error if all checks are fine?

ps: Did already pull data, and ty :)

That sound is often referred to as the "click of death", meaning the drive is very likely going to die and stop working. The platter can be fine but the electronic (controller) section can fail. It may have a manufacturing defect or been damaged in shipment. If that's the case it's only going to get worse. Running the manufacturers diagnostic utility should tell you what's going on. It could also be a motherboard fault or loose cable. As already suggested, check the power and data cables. If you have a spare SATA cable swap it in.

I found another cable to try. switched cables and data slots. seems to be okay for now. whew... thanks for the suggestions.

Hopefully that's all it was.

Weird things happen if your data cable is flaky. The click could have been the heads parking when the signal is lost. I'm also a little skeptical but I've seen stranger things happen when working on PC's. Only time will tell, if the drive is failing the click will come back.

The noise sounded very much like the arm resetting itself, and was definitely internal. can't explain it myself as cables felt secure before swapping. The problem was very consistent and went away immediately upon swap. cable was bought at the same time of the hdd from a different vendor. could of been a communication problem with the data port as I'm fairly sure the cable is fine.