time capsule hard disk failure

What happens when you try to make a backup?

Is there an error message displayed? If yes, what does it say?

Unfortunately, that pretty much confirms that the disk has failed.

If you have AppleCare in effect on one of your Macs, and the Time Capsule is less than 3 years old, Apple will replace the Time Capsule for you.

If the Time Capsule is not covered....and you are the do it yourself type.....you can open up the Time Capsule, pull the hard drive, and replace it with a new drive. This article will provide some tips if you want to give that a try.

Apple Time Capsule Model A1302 Hard Drive Replacement ...

Is the disk error showing in Time Machine or is it in the airport utility?

Ignore TM disk errors .. it can mean loads of things.. the disk failure in the airport utility is the one to look for.

Give us a screenshot of the TC from airport utility showing the summary page.

If the Airport Utility clearly shows a dead hard disk..

<Edited by Host>

Hi, I have the same problem, it happened to me yesterday and I've tried everything.

This is the message I´m getting

Unfortunately, the hard drive has likely failed. As a last gasp effort, you could try erasing the drive, but I doubt that it can be accessed at this point. Review the previous posts to this thread for options.

How old is the Time Capsule?

The hard disk is dead or needs a reformat..

What model TC do you have??

A1xxx from the base??

If it is say a Gen1 or Gen2 it s hardly worth the trouble to repair..

If it is a gen3 or gen4 tell me how large is the hard disk.. replacement of the disk is possible.

Is a 3TB, 4th generation TC, model 1409. How can I recoger the data on the Hard Drive?

Ok.. data recovery .. that is bad..

You should not ever need to recover data from a backup disk.. ie it is backups..

If you are trying to recover Time Machine backups I recommend against bothering.. they are not needed and a waste of time.. recovery is seldom successful due to the structure of the backup.

If you copied files directly to the TC that are now lost and have no backup.. Other than rapping your knuckles for having no backups.. you are in deep poo.. !! Very very deep.. very smelly poo!!

You have to remove the hard disk from the TC.

See https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_Time_Capsule

Buy a suitable USB to HDD cradle.. make sure it is USB 3 recent type.. older USB2 often have 2TB disk limits.

Plug the disk into the computer.. a Mac obviously and download a recovery software..

Data Rescue (v4 now I think)

Disk Warrior.

They should have trial versions. You won't be able to recover data but you will see if recovery is possible.

What can happen and I have seen it myself.. is the data partition of the TC loses format.

A data rescue package can recover files if intact even if the disk has lost format.. however larger and more complicated files can be messed up.

If you have no luck.. then the disk must be sent to a recovery centre.. expect to part with >$1000 with no guarantee of success.

It is always worth doing a factory reset of the TC.. and reboot it again after it has been off overnight.. no files are lost by factory reset.

Start from a factory reset. No files are lost on the hard disk doing this.

Factory reset universal

Power off the TC.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the TC to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.

N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.

I have seen false messages where disks were ok.. but the TC was on the way out..

Once you recover.. if you manage it..

1. Never trust this TC again.

2. Never be without backups.