DC HC310, No Spin Up, TVS Issue? TVS Diode Problem

When a Western Digital DC HC310 hard drive (or any enterprise-class drive) doesn’t spin up, it raises immediate concerns—especially if it contains critical data. One of the potential causes for a "no spin" condition is a failure of a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) diode on the drive's PCB. This guide explains what might be going wrong, how TVS diodes play a role, and what your options are for diagnosing and resolving the issue safely.

Understanding the DC HC310

The WD DC HC310 is part of Western Digital’s Data Center Drive line—usually found in servers, NAS systems, or enterprise RAID arrays. These drives are known for their durability and reliability, but like all electronics, they can still fail. If your HC310 isn’t spinning up when power is applied (no sound, no vibration), this points to a possible power delivery issue on the drive's logic board.

What Is a TVS Diode and Why Does It Matter?

A TVS diode is a protective component on the PCB (printed circuit board) of a hard drive. It’s designed to:

Suppress voltage spikes (like from a faulty power supply or surge)

Sacrifice itself to prevent damage to sensitive components

There are usually two TVS diodes on a hard drive PCB—one for the 5V line and one for the 12V line. If you accidentally connect the wrong power supply (common with external enclosures), or if your power supply malfunctions, the TVS diode will short out to ground to block excess voltage.

When this happens:

The diode becomes a short circuit

The hard drive doesn’t spin up

No further power reaches the drive components

Symptoms of a TVS Diode Issue

If your WD DC HC310 isn’t spinning up, watch for these signs:

No spinning or clicking noises

No LED activity if in a hot-swap bay

Power supply may drop out when the drive is connected

Multimeter shows continuity (short) across the 5V or 12V power rails

How to Test for a TVS Diode Problem

⚠️ Warning: Proceed only if you're experienced with electronics. There is a risk of damaging the drive or losing data.

Remove the drive from the system and examine the PCB.

Look for small black components near the SATA power connector—often labeled as D1, D2, TVS1, etc.

Use a multimeter in continuity mode to test both sides of the diode:

If it shows near 0 ohms (a short), the diode has failed.

If it reads like a normal diode (conducts one way only), the TVS is likely okay.

Can You Remove the Diode to Fix It?

Yes—but it’s only safe if the diode is the only damaged component. If the power surge also damaged the motor controller or preamp (which is likely if voltage ran unchecked), removing the diode won’t help and could cause further damage.

To remove: Carefully desolder or cut the bad diode from the board.

The drive may spin up normally afterward, but:

The drive is no longer protected from future power surges

This should only be done to recover data, not as a permanent fix

When to Replace the PCB

If removing the TVS diode doesn’t restore functionality, or if there's obvious damage to other components, you may need to replace the PCB. However, modern drives like the HC310 often require:

Firmware ROM transfer from the original board to the donor PCB

Without this step, the drive won’t be recognized properly

This task is best handled by a data recovery specialist, as it requires micro-soldering skills and specialized equipment.

Final Advice

If your WD DC HC310 isn’t spinning up, a blown TVS diode is a common and fixable issue—if no further damage has occurred. Carefully inspect the board, test for shorts, and consider temporary diode removal for emergency recovery. However, if the data is valuable or irreplaceable, the safest path is always to consult a professional data recovery service. TVS-related failures are often just the tip of the iceberg.