SSD Data Recovery Why and What's?

Reliable Smart Service
Jul 24, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Mar 8, 2023

The SSD may need to be replaced if there is a physical problem, such as hardware damage or degraded flash cells. However, if the malfunction is caused by a logical error—bad blocks, software malfunctions, malware, outdated firmware, and so on—a few techniques may be used to recover the SSD.

The SSD should be powered off and on again. This method may be useful if the SSD drive becomes corrupted due to a power outage. First, unplug the SATA data cable while leaving the power cable plugged in. Leave the power on for 30 seconds before turning it off. Reconnect the power for another half hour. Finally, wait 30 seconds before turning it off. Restart the computer and reconnect the data cable. If power cycling was successful, the SSD will be operational again at this point.

Updating the firmware on an SSD. It is possible that the storage drive's firmware, which is essential for hard drive operation, has become corrupted. When firmware malfunctions, it can impair the drive's ability to access, read, and write data. Use a firmware update tool to see if the SSD has the most recent version. If it doesn't, install it and see if functionality (and data access) is restored. Unfortunately, if firmware becomes severely damaged, even professionals may be unable to reverse its effects, and data may be lost forever.

Drivers are being updated. Simply open the Device Manager, navigate to Disk Drives, and right-click the SSD to update the driver. You may be able to see the revived SSD after rebooting.

Can data be recovered from a failed SSD?

Many of the processes described above for reviving failed SSDs and evaluating poor drive performance enable SSD users to avoid total data loss in the first place. For example, if an SSD resumes operation following a firmware update, its data is almost certainly fully accessible, and the drive itself may be stable enough for continued use. If, on the other hand, the SSD enters read-only mode, you can still use it to backup and thus recover valuable data—but it is not advisable to rely on this SSD again because it may corrupt and destroy data in the future.

Data can be permanently destroyed in the worst-case scenario. When does this happen? If the physical or firmware damage is too severe, the drive may be unable to be revived. In other cases, a corrupted drive may be able to be restarted with the proper approach, but the data may be unsalvageable.

Furthermore, many SSDs use TRIM, an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) command that tells an operating system which data blocks it can clear. This function improves an SSD's performance and service life by accelerating data writing, but it also makes data recovery more difficult in the event of SSD corruption. TRIM, unlike traditional hard drive protocols, completely erases data upon deletion—that is, the data is gone before the block is overwritten by a new file. As a result, TRIM-enabled SSDs may lose their data forever if they fail, even if they can be brought back to life.

Aside from these complications, data recovery from SSD storage is possible with the right tools. Many data recovery software programmes include recovery wizards that scan SSDs for deleted files and allow professional to restore partitions or individual files as needed. While some are free, many of the most effective applications are not—but they are a good investment for Professional company looking to recover data from faulty hard drives. Alternatively, there are numerous operations that provide more intensive and specialized recovery services. These companies hire technicians who decrypt SSDs and recover data using the best method for your specific SSD failure and drive manufacturer.