When a server fails, it can have devastating consequences for your business. Downtime can lead to lost productivity, decreased revenue, and frustrated customers. 

System administrators and data center managers are constantly trying to keep their systems up and running. Hardware failures can cause serious outages; however, there are some things that you can do to help minimize these occurrences. In this blog post, we will discuss the five most common reasons server hardware fails and provide tips on preventing these issues.

Here are 5 reasons why hardware servers fail and how you can prevent them:

Hardware servers fail for many reasons. Here are five of the most common reasons, along with ways you can prevent them:

1. Hardware failures

One of the most common reasons for server failures is hardware failure. Over time, components such as hard drives, motherboards, and power supplies can fail due to normal wear and tear. If you don’t have a backup server or redundant components, this can lead to extended downtime while you wait for replacements. To prevent this failure, it’s important to invest in quality hardware and perform regular maintenance, including firmware updates and component replacement, as needed. 

2. Software glitches

Another common reason for server failures is software-related issues. These include incompatibility issues after an operating system or application update, corrupted files, or malware infections. To prevent these issues, it’s important to keep your server software up-to-date and perform regular backups so that you can quickly restore any corrupted files. 

In addition, software glitches can cause servers to malfunction due to certain program errors or viruses. Another common source of error is user interference; improperly managing software can crash a system or disrupt its planning and scheduling processes. 

In order to avoid costly downtime and repair bills, it is important to take preventative measures when it comes to server health. Regular maintenance on hardware components should be done often while ensuring that all your software is up-to-date with patches and fixes from the manufacturer. Additionally, limiting user access to your servers will help ensure that issues aren’t caused by accidental interference or malicious attacks.

3. Frequent power surges and outages

Unfortunately, outside interference can cause power failures that render these servers inoperable. Power surges, power outages, and power failures can all be a source of difficulty for hardware servers. Power surges can destroy delicate electronic components. To prevent power failures from wreaking havoc on servers and the systems they power, it is important to employ uninterruptible power supply backups with sufficient capacity to keep them running during power disturbances. You can take steps to mitigate the impact by investing in a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or generator for your server room. This way, if the power does go out, your servers will continue to run uninterrupted until power is restored. 

Additionally, it is wise to locate data centers away from regions that may experience power outages or similar disturbances more frequently since even a few moments’ worth of downtime could lead to disaster. It also pays to contact local power utility providers regarding typically busy seasons in order to plan server maintenance schedules adequately. Taking steps such as these allows IT professionals to maintain an essential piece of their data center puzzle – their hardware servers – with the minimum amount of interruption possible.  

4. Motherboard issues

One of the most common reasons why hardware servers fail is motherboard issues. If a data center’s motherboard fails, data can become inaccessible or lost until the issue can be resolved. In some cases, data recovery may be possible if the data is stored on an external hard drive, but this often requires complex methods and technology. 

Furthermore, this data loss can easily lead to downtime for a company since it may take several days to restore its data files. To prevent data loss due to motherboard failure, data centers should ensure routine maintenance such as verifying motherboards are clear of dust, and dirt buildup can help improve server performance and reduce the likelihood of overheating or corrosion occurring. 

5. Poor cooling system

If not managed properly, the cooling system in a traditional server room can overheat, leading to hardware malfunction and server failure. Poor cooling, in particular, is the cause behind many failed servers, as improperly cooled machines are more prone to accumulating dust and dirt. Additionally, if your cooling system isn’t sufficient for your current needs, you may need to invest in more powerful systems. 

Ensuring cooling systems remain operational and up-to-date is one of the best ways to prevent server failure due to inadequate cooling. With proper upkeep and regular testing, you can take steps towards making sure that your servers are always operating at peak efficiency with minimal risk of failure. 

If the cooling system is inefficient, it can cause the server to overheat and fail. Prevent this by ensuring that your server room has proper ventilation and coolant is regularly replenished.

Conclusion: Third party server maintenance specialists are here to help!

 Server failures can have devastating consequences for businesses of all sizes, but thankfully there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening in the first place. Investing in quality hardware and software, performing regular maintenance, and having adequate power backup and network capacity can minimize the risk of experiencing an unexpected server failure. 

However, businesses don’t often have the time or resources to prevent failures from happening. Pre Rack IT is here to help. We offer a variety of services to help you maintain your data center and keep your servers running smoothly. From preventative maintenance to data backup and disaster recovery, we have you covered.

You can help ensure that your servers are up and running when you need them most by taking these precautions, or contact us today to learn more.