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I am testing a hard disk with SmartMonTools.

Hard disk status prior to the testings (only one short test performed days ago):

$ sudo smartctl -l selftest /dev/sda smartctl 6.2 2013-07-26 r3841 [i686-linux-3.16.0-30-generic] (local build) Copyright (C) 2002-13, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org === START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION === SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1 Num Test_Description Status Remaining LifeTime(hours) LBA_of_first_error # 1 Short offline Completed without error 00% 5167 -

So I start the long test:

$ sudo smartctl -t long /dev/sda smartctl 6.2 2013-07-26 r3841 [i686-linux-3.16.0-30-generic] (local build) Copyright (C) 2002-13, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org === START OF OFFLINE IMMEDIATE AND SELF-TEST SECTION === Sending command: "Execute SMART Extended self-test routine immediately in off-line mode". Drive command "Execute SMART Extended self-test routine immediately in off-line mode" successful. Testing has begun. Please wait 130 minutes for test to complete. Test will complete after Sat May 9 16:05:27 2015 Use smartctl -X to abort test.

The test is supposed to be running, then, but if I try to see its progress:

$ sudo smartctl -l selftest /dev/sda smartctl 6.2 2013-07-26 r3841 [i686-linux-3.16.0-30-generic] (local build) Copyright (C) 2002-13, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org === START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION === SMART Self-test log structure revision number 1 Num Test_Description Status Remaining LifeTime(hours) LBA_of_first_error # 1 Short offline Completed without error 00% 5167 -

... all I get is the same results, like if there were no running/performing tests right now.
The '-H' parameter gives no more info:

$ sudo smartctl -H /dev/sda smartctl 6.2 2013-07-26 r3841 [i686-linux-3.16.0-30-generic] (local build) Copyright (C) 2002-13, Bruce Allen, Christian Franke, www.smartmontools.org === START OF READ SMART DATA SECTION === SMART overall-health self-assessment test result: PASSED

And, as long as there is no process running (this test is performed by the hard disk controller alone), some ps -e style search should neither help.

How can I know if there is some SMART self test running right now?

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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In smartctl -a <device> look for Self-test execution status.

Example when no test is running:

Self-test execution status: ( 0) The previous self-test routine completed without error or no self-test has ever been run.

Example while a test is running:

Self-test execution status: ( 249) Self-test routine in progress... 90% of test remaining.

When running selective self-test (-t select) there will also be a progress shown here:

SMART Selective self-test log data structure revision number 1 SPAN MIN_LBA MAX_LBA CURRENT_TEST_STATUS 1 0 125045423 Self_test_in_progress [90% left] (2881512-2947047)
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    A good idea. I suggest you to add this direct line (by grepping) as a possibility: smartctl -a /dev/sda | grep "progress" -i -A 1 , to cut excessive info printout. Commented May 9, 2015 at 11:18
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    You need the excessive printout to get the whole picture though. In a script the grep may be fine, but people who are used to grep everything on the command line (dmesg | grep something, smartctl -a | grep ..., etc.), they will miss things. With smartctl in particular there is no simple command that tells you everything is okay... smartctl -H is a false friend in that regard. Commented May 9, 2015 at 12:09
  • @frostschutz "smartctl -H is a false friend in that regard." You can say that again! I too have fallen for this option once, thinking it might have to do with the self-tests...but no, entirely different subject (and purpose). Commented Jan 29, 2016 at 21:03
  • What do I do for "Device does not support Self Test logging"? Commented Jul 27, 2017 at 19:29
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    @Ben yes, some drives don't seem to report these correctly. Instead of -t long you can try selective -t select,0-max. Technically this does the very same thing as -t long but it might have a more accurate progress report in the Selective self-test log section. Personally I use selective self-test with smaller slices so I can run short daily tests. A long test run just takes ages on xx TB HDDs and not every machine runs 24/7 to let it finish. Commented Dec 1, 2020 at 8:06
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Try :

smartctl -c /dev/sda

if /dev/sda is the drive you want to check.

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    Edit: Sorry. I was wrong. -c means --capabilities but it too shows the current test progress. like 60% of test remaining. Commented Nov 2, 2019 at 17:03
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if smartctl -l selftest or smartctl -a doesnt work, and your device is via sas / scsi "Device does not support Self Test logging"

than you can use sg_requests to get the test status.

sg_requests /dev/sdl Decode parameter data as sense data: Fixed format, current; Sense key: Not Ready Additional sense: Logical unit not ready, self-test in progress Progress indication: 71.99%

i saw a commmet about it and was facing this problem my self, with some older ssds.

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