[SOLVED] WD portable hard drive clicking, any hope of fixing?

Aug 14, 2021
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I have a WD 4TB portable hard drive that no longer displays in finder and clicks once every five seconds. I am running an M1 iMac. Is there any hope of fixing this? It wouldn't be as bad if i had kept a list of all the files on it. I have a few external hard drives and my files are spread amongst them. I know companies specialize in this but they are very expensive (was quoted over $1000) Any help would be appreciated.
 
Solution
If it is "clicking" and no longer shows in your OS....you've left it to late.
It is dead.

This is specifically what backups are for.