↑ ↓ select, Enter open, Esc close

Start a SMART short self-test on a disk

Adjust the values, the command updates live
root@server
smartctl -t short /dev/sda

Triggers the short test in the drive firmware; the command returns immediately and states the estimated duration, usually one to two minutes. The test is read-only and runs while the system is in use. Afterwards, smartctl -l selftest shows the result.

Note: -t long checks the entire surface and can take many hours on large disks. Package: apt install smartmontools.

Also searched as

  • test hard drive while running
  • start smart self test
  • check ssd for errors

Related one-liners

All in System and hardware

Read first, then run.

The commands on myline.de act directly on servers, files and databases. A wrong path or placeholder can delete data irreversibly or make a server unreachable.

  • All commands are provided without warranty and are not tested on every system.
  • Understand what a command does before running it, and check every placeholder.
  • Make a backup first and, if possible, try it on a test system.
  • You run commands at your own risk. Liability for damages is excluded to the extent permitted by law.