When a solid-state disk (SSD) vanishes from the operating system; when an SSD is showing incorrect sizes; and/or when an SSD drops into read-only mode, there is usually either a dead controller or corrupted firmware, but no loss of data. The NAND chips are still holding your files; the SSD simply cannot read those files. This area of recovery is completely different than that of mechanical disks and we do this work in-house for all makes including Samsung, Crucial, Western Digital, Kingston, etc., and for clients across Belfast and Northern Ireland.
On an SSD, write operations are the enemy, and the drive immediately starts running background maintenance processes as soon as it gets power. If you have access to some part of the drive, please do not format it. Please do not attempt to fix it with any type of recovery tool. And under absolutely no circumstances should you even think about attempting to update its firmware. A failed firmware flash can permanently lock out the controller. Shut down the device and contact us before you start using it again.
Solid state disks fail due to electronic failure and not mechanical failure, and where the fault is located determines how much of your data may be recovered. These types of failures occur behind a failing drive which does not behave properly.
We support all makes of SSD. All types. Internal and external. SATA, M.2 and NVMe. Consumer grade, enterprise grade. Any capacity. Any controller.
We support all of the various types of SSDs including: SATA 2.5″ SSDs; M.2 SATA SSDs; NVMe drives; add-in PCIe cards; external portable SSDs; etc… from small consumer grade drives to large enterprise grade drives in every capacity and controller.
We can perform data recovery from within the drive itself. When possible, we will work through the controller to restore your data. When that isn't possible because the controller is dead or the drive cannot be powered up, we will attempt to bring the board back to life at the component level, and/or read the NAND chips directly and build the translation layer necessary to recover your data from those chips, all using a copy of your original data.
The first step will be to determine if there is a problem with the controller, the firmware, the NAND memory chip or the main circuit board. Then we will also determine if encryption is being used for this unit. We will provide you with a written quote for the services needed based on these results.
If the controller is partially working then we can also run some of our SSD specialists' tools in order to speak with it, to build its translation table again (and thus allow us to read past the faulty area) and to read data around the faulty area.
If the controller is no longer operational, we will repair the electrical parts (power components) of the main circuit board to reactivate the original controller. This retains the original encryption key and decryption engine.
If the original controller cannot be repaired, we will extract the raw NAND data and create a rebuild of all of the model-specific data mapping and wear levelling schemes. We will restore "scrambled" flash to functional files.
With our extracted data, we will rebuild the partitioning and file structures so that when we deliver your files, they are organised and have their correct names.
We check the files that were recovered to ensure that they can be opened successfully and that they are complete. Before returning any files to you, we also give you the opportunity to review them to ensure their accuracy.
Files can be delivered to you via fresh media (e.g., a USB flash drive) or you can have them sent to you via our complimentary 75 GB download service, whichever is more convenient for you.
From an NVMe SSD that has disappeared from the BIOS to a SATA SSD stuck in read-only mode or a surge damaged circuit board, we recover all types of solid state drives by working at the controller level wherever possible and extracting data from the NAND memory directly wherever necessary.
Give us some information regarding what happened to cause this issue, and an engineer will contact you. Usually within a single business day.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
Diagnostic first at no charge. Then a fixed written quote for repairs that will be done by us after we have given you our quote. To recover (get back) one SSD or NVMe drive costs £300 + VAT, however in most cases you will only pay us when we are able to successfully recover your data. For chip level recovery of an SSD or NVMe drive there is a 50% down payment to cover the costs of the special equipment and bench time required to complete this type of recovery, and the remainder of the cost only due upon successful completion.
A collection of various SSDs and NVMe drives that we have recovered from multiple manufacturers and faults: type of devices, type of outcome (customer information is removed).
The controller on this drive failed, however the V-NAND remained intact. We were able to revive the original controller through board level repair and image the entire drive.
Firmware failure hid all of the data. We restored corrupted firmware module(s) using the controller, and recovered complete contents.
A write lockout due to wear was preventing additional data writes, while reads could still be performed. Prior to a complete lockout we imaged the drive and recovered all data.
The drive would fail under heavy load, as its internal NAND was deteriorating. We were able to copy the good flash from the bad and rebuild the file system to recover all of the user's data.
The power supply for the original controller on the board failed. We restored the original board and successfully completed an image of the original drive.
The USB bridge had cracked but there were no problems with the NVMe drive inside. We bypassed the broken USB bridge and connected directly to the NVMe drive to recover all of the data.
Send or drop off your item for a free diagnostic check with a description of the issue. One of our engineers will review the item, then provide you a written quote prior to doing any repairs.
Prior to sending or dropping off your device for a diagnostic test (free), obtain a quotation from us via telephone or using the provided form. Step one: get the device to our Belfast bench. Carefully wrap the device and include your contact information inside the parcel. Then send it over. There is no charge for this diagnostic service. Once we receive it, you will be given a firm written price to confirm whether you wish to go ahead, before any work is done.
Sending it? The use of a tracked, insured delivery method would be recommended. Alternatively, dropping it off can also be done Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm; no prior booking required but do ensure that all items are packed accordingly.
Still waiting to send something? Please complete the form describing the failure/fault in your own words and one of our engineers will get back to you with a quotation based upon your individual circumstances.
We will get back to you soon. If it is urgent, call 028 9002 0144.
What are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our SSD/NVMe recovery services?
Yes, usually. When you can't see a drive from your BIOS most of the time it's because either the controller has died or your firmware has been corrupted. But typically the NAND (and therefore your data) is still good. One of the more "recoverable" conditions for an SSD situation. If we can restore your controller to working order we will do so. Or if possible we'll connect directly into the flash memory and read your data.
Firmware corruption of your drive is what we usually see here; drives may even rename themselves (e.g., SATAFIRM S11). The data has been stored; the data hasn't been deleted. We access the controller and restore the damaged firmware sections to reconstruct the lost content.
Yes, they are the exact same discipline as any SSD. NVMe, M.2 and SATA drives all store data on NAND behind a controller, the difference is simply the type of connector used. Therefore, we can recover all of them.
Usually yes and very quickly. Read-only mode is normally a health check to allow data to be copied from the drive whilst still allowing reads. Important: do not continue to try writing to it or formatting it (bring it to us as soon as possible) as this can cause further damage.
For recovering one individual SSD or NVMe drive our cost is £300 + VAT for each (after a free diagnostic) & in the majority of cases you will only pay for the recovery when we have recovered your data. Chip level cases require a 50% deposit towards specialist bench work & payment of the remaining amount only upon successful completion of the recovery.
Yes, on most jobs. For all our services except when doing "chip-level" work, you only pay if we recover your data. When we do "chip-level," we charge a deposit for the special bench time, but again, the remainder is only paid if we recover the customer's data. In either case, we clearly indicate which service model will apply before starting the job.
All of them: Samsung, Crucial, WD, SanDisk, Kingston, Seagate, Kioxia, SK hynix etc., consumer & enterprise models, every capacity and controller.
In many cases no, although it's only right to warn you. Most SSDs employ the TRIM protocol, which deletes deleted files almost instantly. As such there is rarely anything left to recover, unlike with hard disk drives. Should the drive fail completely however, then the prospects improve dramatically.
No. The drive is always on during repeated boots of the PC and running the recovery tool, and in the background can delete your recoverable files. You should never attempt to update the firmware (which can brick the controller if it fails). Get this thing powered off and get it evaluated.
Logical data recovery generally takes 1-3 business days. However, the time required to perform chip level or controller repairs is much longer and can take 4-7 business days. Diagnostic assessments are typically completed within 48 hours and emergency cases are given priority where possible.
Drop into our Belfast office during normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm). Alternatively you may also send your drive to us by post in a small padded box, fully insured. Please include a letter with your name, postal address, email address, and contact telephone number so we can identify your drive, carry out a free diagnostic assessment and provide a written quotation for the costs involved.
Our flat rate recovery cost is £300 + VAT per drive. In addition, prior to any charge being made, we will carry out a complimentary diagnostic assessment on your drive. As an added benefit, in most cases, we do not require payment unless we successfully recover your data. We handle all types of solid state drives (SSDs), NVMe devices etc. from any manufacturer on our bench located in Belfast. If your drive is experiencing problems, please disconnect it immediately to prevent further damage and ship it to us promptly.