Solved: 6 Fixes for Slow Write Speed on Samsung 990 Pro - Updated for 2024

Updated By

Tracy King 

Authored By

Sherly 

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

The Samsung 990 Pro is a high-end PCIe 4.0 SSD that represents the pinnacle of Samsung's capabilities on the soon-to-be-outdated interface. Available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, our tests reveal that this fourth-generation SSD truly delivers with exceptional performance, boasting read and write speeds of up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s, making it a favorite among gamers and enthusiasts alike.

Why is there a write speed slowdown error with the Samsung 990 Pro? There could be several reasons for a slowdown in write speed with the Samsung 990 Pro SSD. Here are some possible causes and explanations: 1. **Firmware or driver issues**: Occasionally, newly released hardware may encounter firmware or driver problems leading to performance degradation. Ensure your SSD has the latest firmware updates installed, and check that the NVMe driver on your computer is up-to-date. 2. **Excessive usage or aging**: Over time, as an SSD is used, its write speed can gradually decrease. This might be due to wear leveling mechanisms, which cause the SSD to take longer when writing new data. 3. **Cache exhaustion**: The 990 Pro has an onboard DRAM cache. If the cache is full, write speeds can significantly drop, especially during frequent large file writes. 4. **Queue depth (QD) and IOPS limitations**: Certain workloads might exceed the 990 Pro's queue depth and input/output operations per second (IOPS) limits, causing write speed slowdowns, especially in multitasking environments. 5. **Host system settings**: Incorrect power management settings, AHCI mode not enabled, or RAID configuration issues can create performance bottlenecks. 6. **Drive health**: Check the SSD's health status, such as wear count and remaining lifespan. Poor health can impact write speeds. 7. **Operating system factors**: Fragmentation, background updates, or disk cleanup processes within the operating system can also affect write speed. 8. **Hardware compatibility**: Make sure the 990 Pro is compatible with your motherboard and other hardware components, as compatibility issues can sometimes lead to performance drops. To resolve the issue, try updating firmware and drivers, optimizing system settings, checking hardware compatibility, or reaching out to Samsung technical support for professional advice.

However, it's not without its issues, and like any other SSD, the Samsung Pro 990 has a few problems, the most annoying of which is slow write speed. In this article, we'll list all the possible causes for this error. Keep reading:

• Low Space: If your disk doesn't have enough free space to store more data, the write speed will automatically slow down.
• High Temperature: After playing games or running other programs for a long time, your SSD can get hot, which may affect its read and write speeds.
• Read More: How to test or check SSD temperature on Windows 10/11/8/7
• Error: You might have downloaded malware on your system, or other errors might slow down the read and write speed of the Samsung 990 Pro.
• Wear: Like most SSDs, the Samsung 990 Pro will gradually wear out, leading to slower speeds.

The reasons also apply to the issue of Samsung 980 Pro slow write speed.

Before fixing this error, it's recommended that you test the Samsung Pro 990's speed first. This way, you can get accurate read and write speeds and determine if your SSD is running slow or fast. Read on.

How to test the read and write speeds of the Samsung 990 Pro? To test the read and write speeds of the Samsung 990 Pro SSD, follow these steps: 1. **Prepare the tools:** - The Samsung 990 Pro SSD should be installed in your computer. - Download and install a benchmarking tool, such as CrystalDiskMark, AS SSD Benchmark, or ATTO Disk Benchmark. 2. **Download and install the benchmark software:** - Visit the official website of the software or download it from a reputable source. - Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. 3. **Run the benchmark:** - Launch the chosen benchmark application. - There will typically be an option to start the test or something similar. - Make sure to select the Samsung 990 Pro SSD as the target drive for testing. 4. **Perform the read and write speed tests:** - For CrystalDiskMark: - Choose the default test settings (usually a 5GB test file), which will perform sequential read and write tests. - Click "Start" to initiate the test, and the software will display the read and write speed results. - With AS SSD Benchmark: - Select appropriate test settings and begin the test. - The results will be displayed in separate sections under the "Total Score," including read, write, and 4K random read and write speeds. - Using ATTO Disk Benchmark: - Choose the test length and block size, then click "Start." - Results will show read and write speeds for different data block sizes. 5. **Record and analyze the results:** - After the test is complete, jot down the read and write speed numbers. - Compare these figures with the official performance specifications provided by Samsung to ensure your SSD is functioning correctly. Keep in mind that actual read and write speeds may vary depending on your system configuration, interface (like PCIe Gen4 or Gen3), and other factors.

You can use the Command Prompt to check the read and write speeds of the Samsung 990 Pro. However, this involves inputting some command lines, which might be challenging for beginners and could potentially lead to data loss if not done correctly.

It's much easier to perform a speed test with a third-party app; for instance, Partition Master is one of many excellent tools out there. Its “Disk Benchmark” feature can easily and safely check the read and write speeds of the Samsung 990 Pro. Even if you're a beginner, its user-friendly interface allows you to manage and test your SSD with ease.

Step 1: Run AOMEI Partition Assistant. Then click the Download button to activate the "DiskMark" feature under "Discover".

Step 2. Select the target drive, test data, and block size from the drop-down menus.

Step 3: Once all settings are configured, click on “Start” to run the benchmark. You'll then see the read/write speeds for sequential or random I/O, as well as latency data.

There, you'll see detailed input/output, read/write speeds, and latency. If your Samsung 990 Pro SSD is indeed writing slowly, keep reading for possible solutions.

6 Ways to Fix Slow Write Speed on Samsung 990 Pro

This part lists 6 effective solutions to your problem, which are also applicable to the slow write speed on Samsung 970 EVO Plus. Read on and try them one by one.

Fix 1: 4K Alignment for Samsung 990 Pro

4K alignment is an essential technique for optimizing and boosting your hard drive's performance. As you use your SSD, it will accumulate more and more fragmentation. So, to address the slow write speed issue on your Samsung Pro 990, you can first try 4K alignment. Fortunately, the Partition Master tool that I just used to test your speed can optimize your Samsung Pro 990 based on the test results and utilize 4K alignment to help fix this problem. Download the application and give it a try following the instructions in the video below.

Step 1: Enter the “Toolbox” and choose “4K Alignment”.

Step 2: Select the disk you want to align, and then click Start.

This tool can also do the following:

• Run the SD Card Speed Test
• Run the USB Flash Drive Speed Test
• Check the health and speed of external hard drives
• Check the health of SD/microSD cards

This tool can align your storage device to 4KB based on its health status and speed performance. Don't miss this versatile tool.

Fix 2: Run the Trim command

When you delete files from your Samsung Pro 990 SSD, the controller might not erase the data immediately. As such, certain spaces remain locked and unused. The Trim command prevents this by promptly freeing up blocks for further use. Run the Trim command with these straightforward steps:

Step 1: Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 2: In the new window, type "fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify", and then press "Enter."

Step 3: If the result is "1," this means that TRIM is disabled. Type "fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0" and press "Enter."

Fix 3: Check Samsung 990 Pro Health Status

If your Samsung 990 Pro SSD is experiencing errors, bad sectors, other health issues, or high temperatures, it might be running slowly. You can check its health and temperature status by examining its S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) status. Here's how: 1. Download and install a S.M.A.R.T. monitoring tool: First, you'll need to find a reliable S.M.A.R.T. checking software, such as CrystalDiskInfo, HD Tune, or similar tools. Most of these applications offer free versions. 2. Run the S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software: Launch the tool you downloaded, and it should automatically detect all hard drives connected to your computer. 3. Check drive information: In the software interface, you should see basic information about the drives, including model, capacity, and interface type. Locate your Samsung 990 Pro SSD and review its details. 4. Review S.M.A.R.T. attributes: Look for the "S.M.A.R.T. Status" or "Attributes" section in the software. This area will list various health indicators for the drive. Normally, each attribute should show as "PASSED" or "OK." If any attribute displays "FAILED" or "Warning," it could indicate a problem with the drive. 5. Monitor temperature: Many S.M.A.R.T. monitoring tools also display the current drive temperature. Ideally, the SSD should operate between 30°C to 50°C. High temperatures may affect performance. 6. Analyze the results: Based on the S.M.A.R.T. check, you can assess the health of your Samsung 990 Pro SSD. If issues are found, consider contacting manufacturer support or replacing the drive. Keep in mind that these steps apply to Windows operating systems. If you're using a Mac or Linux, the process might vary slightly. Make sure your SSD is connected to the computer and the system is turned on while performing these checks.

Step 1. Launch Partition Master and click the blue arrow to activate the “Disk Health” feature under the “Discovery” section.

Step 2. Select the target disk and click "Refresh" button. Then you can view the status of the disk.

Select the target disk

Besides, you can use a partition manager tool to run a disk surface test to locate the specific bad sectors on Samsung 990 Pro. Then, this tool can check file system errors on the SSD, resize/merge partitions on the SSD, format the SSD, initialize SSD, etc.

Download this tool to manage your Samsung 990 Pro SSD properly.

If you're interested, there's a video with more ways to check your hard drive's health and more information on this topic.

Fix 4: Free up space on the Samsung 990 Pro

If your 990 Pro SSD is filled with junk files taking up over 70% of its space, it will perform very slowly. You need to free up space to enhance its read and write speeds. Click on the link below for more information.

Read: How to < a href="/partition-master/free-up-hard-drive-space.html" target="_blank">free up hard drive space on SSD</a>

Solution 5: Use Samsung Magician Software

Samsung Magician is software designed specifically for managing and monitoring SSD performance, and it comes with a suite of features and tools to enhance the overall performance of your SSD. Here's how you can address the slow write speed issue on your Samsung 990 Pro: 1. **Update Firmware**: Make sure your SSD's firmware is up to date. Outdated firmware can sometimes cause performance issues. Launch Samsung Magician, navigate to the "Firmware Update" tab, and follow the instructions to update if an update is available. 2. **Optimize Drive Settings**: In Samsung Magician, go to the "Drive Management" tab. Ensure that the "Over Provisioning" setting is enabled. This feature allocates extra space on the drive for better performance and endurance. 3. **Toggle RAPID Mode**: If it's disabled, enable RAPID (Real-time Accelerated Processing of Independent Disks) mode. This feature can significantly boost read and write speeds. Go to the "Performance Benchmark" tab, and if RAPID mode is available, enable it following the on-screen instructions. 4. **Check Disk Defragmentation**: Although SSDs generally don't require defragmentation, it's still good to check. In Windows, open "Defragment and Optimize Drives," select your Samsung 990 Pro, and run the optimization process. 5. **OS Optimization**: Make sure your operating system is also up to date. Sometimes, system updates contain optimizations for hardware components. 6. **Verify Connection**: Ensure that your SSD is connected via an NVMe PCIe 4.0 interface, which is the standard for the Samsung 990 Pro. Using a slower interface could limit its potential speed. 7. **Run Performance Benchmark**: In Samsung Magician, use the "Performance Benchmark" tool to test the read and write speeds. This will help confirm if the issue persists and can assist in troubleshooting. If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting Samsung support for further assistance or checking if the SSD has any hardware issues.

Step 1: After downloading and installing the program from Samsung's official website, launch it. The program will automatically detect your SSD and its detailed information.

Step 2. On the left (as shown in the image), you'll see different categories such as Details, Performance Baseline, Diagnostics Scan, Reserved Space, and Performance Optimization. You can use these metrics to improve the health and overall performance of your Samsung 990 Pro SSD. (This image shows an example of the Samsung SSD 970.)

The translation of the text in this image is: "Samsung Magician Software Update"

However, this method only works for Samsung SSD. If you have other brands of SSD, please turn to Fix 1. By the way, if these solutions help you solve the problem, please share this post to help other users encountering the same issue.

Fix 6. Choose High Performance mode

If the Samsung 990 Pro SSD doesn't get enough power, it may not function correctly. Hence, to make the most of this SSD, you must opt for High-Performance Mode.

Step 1: Click the "Start" menu and type "Power."

Step 2: Select “Power & sleep” from the menu.

Step 3: In this window, choose “Additional power settings.”

Step 4: Click on “Power Mode” and select “High Performance.”

Select the `High performance` option:

Here, you might also wonder:

Conclusions

While the Samsung 990 Pro delivers impressive read and write speeds, its performance may decline during use due to high temperatures, bugs, or lack of space. This article offers six effective solutions to address this issue. Among them, optimizing and defragmenting the Samsung 990 Pro with the Partition Master tool is one of the most straightforward and efficient methods. This tool also allows you to check the health status of your SSD, its read and write speeds, and optimize SSD performance. Give it a try by downloading it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Samsung 990 Pro Slow Write Speeds

If your Samsung 990 Pro is writing slowly, it can be frustrating. Here, we've listed some other issues to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Why is my Samsung 980/990 Pro so slow?

There can be multiple reasons behind the slowdown of Samsung 990/980 Pro SSDs, including insufficient storage space, malware, software glitches, hardware issues, file fragmentation, or even system configuration problems, which can all contribute to their decreased performance.

What is the write speed of the Samsung 990 Pro?

The Samsung 990 Pro boasts speedy read and write times, with sequential read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,900 MB/s.

3. How to Fix Slow Samsung NVMe SSD?

You can use Samsung Magician as it offers several features to enhance the performance of your Samsung SSD, such as Performance Baseline, Diagnostic Scans, Reserve Space, and Performance Optimization.