Is the my book duo supposed to be this noisy

If you recently purchased a Western Digital My Book Duo and noticed it's noisier than expected, you're not alone. Many users have questions about what level of sound is normal for this type of external RAID storage device. With its dual-drive setup and active cooling fan, some noise is expected—but how much is too much?

Here’s what you need to know about the typical noise levels, what sounds are normal, and when to be concerned about your WD My Book Duo.

✅ What Sounds Are Normal?

The WD My Book Duo contains two hard drives (often WD Red or WD Red Plus), which are mechanical by nature. As a result, some operational noise is completely normal, especially during startup or heavy file transfers.

You might hear:

Spinning sounds as the disks power up

Soft clicking or ticking during read/write operations

A low hum from the cooling fan and internal components

Occasional brief spin-down noises when the drives go idle

These noises are generally quiet and consistent, and shouldn’t be distracting in a typical home or office environment.

🔊 When Noise Becomes a Concern

While some noise is expected, excessive or abnormal sounds may indicate a problem. Here are some signs your My Book Duo might not be functioning properly:

🚩 1. Constant or Loud Clicking

If you hear repetitive clicking or a loud mechanical knock, this could signal:

A failing hard drive

RAID resynchronization

File system corruption

🚩 2. Grinding or Scraping Sounds

These are not typical. Grinding may point to:

Mechanical failure

Head misalignment

Internal damage during shipping

🚩 3. Fan Noise That Gets Excessively Loud

The built-in cooling fan should operate quietly. If it’s roaring like a desktop PC under heavy load, it may be:

A dusty or faulty fan

Blocked ventilation

Excessive heat buildup

🚩 4. Vibration Noise

Vibration against a hard surface can amplify sound. Try placing the unit on a foam pad, rubber mat, or anti-vibration feet to isolate the noise.

🛠️ How to Reduce or Diagnose the Noise

Move the drive to a different surface or room to isolate environmental factors.

Run Western Digital diagnostics tools to check for disk health or pending failures.

Use SMART tools like CrystalDiskInfo (Windows) or smartctl (Mac/Linux) to monitor drive performance.

If the drives are being constantly accessed, check background processes or sync tools like Dropbox or Time Machine that may be keeping them active.

🔄 Final Thoughts

The WD My Book Duo will make some noise—it’s a dual mechanical drive enclosure, after all—but it shouldn’t be disruptive. A soft hum, faint clicks during access, and occasional spin-up/down sounds are normal.

However, loud clicking, grinding, or excessive fan noise aren’t typical and may signal a failing drive or a hardware issue. If you suspect something’s wrong, back up your data immediately and contact WD Support—especially if your unit is under warranty.