Summary: Data recovery from a failed Solid-State Drive (SSD) is not easy. Further, the possibility of data recovery from a failed SSD depends on how the drive had failed. In this guide, you will learn about the common reasons for SSDs failure and steps to recover data from a failed SSD with Stellar Data recovery software. Download the free trial version of Stellar Data Recovery software before you start.
Data recovery from a failed Solid-State Drive (SSD) is not easy. Further, the possibility of data recovery from a failed SSD depends on how the drive had failed. In this guide, you will learn about the common reasons for SSDs failure and steps to recover data from a failed SSD.
Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs aren’t susceptible to mechanical failure or damage due to sudden shock or drop. However, an SSD may fail due to physical damage or electronic errors—but the chances are bleak.
SSDs commonly fail due to disk errors caused by the following reasons:
- Malware or virus infection
- Improper drive usage
- Unsafe drive removal
- System crash (BSODs)
- Abrupt or force shutdown
- Damaged System Files
- Firmware error
While there’s no easy way to get back data from an SSD that failed due to electronic or physical damage, you can recover data from a logically failed SSD with the help of a reliable DIY data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Standard.
Steps to Recover Data from Failed SSD
The following are the steps to recover data from a failed SSD—which is not detected or accessible, turned RAW, or has missing partitions.
Step 1: Do Not Format or Attempt Repair
A logically failed SSD that turns RAW or inaccessible can be fixed by formatting. But this can result in permanent data loss situation—beyond the scope of data recovery.
Thus, it’s recommended that you should never format a corrupt SSD drive, even if Windows prompts you to format the drive (refer the screenshot).
Also, do not try to repair a logically failed SSD by using Windows or third-party disk management tool.
Step 2: Assign a Drive Letter
If the SSD volume isn’t visible in File Explorer, assign a drive letter via Disk Management tool. The steps are as follow,
- Connect the SSD drive to a Windows PC. Use SATA connector or SATA to USB converter
- Open the Disk Management tool
- Right-click on the SSD volume and choose ‘Change Drive Letter and Paths…’
- Click ‘Add’ and then ‘OK’, ‘OK.’
- You may see the following prompt after assigning a drive letter, click ‘Cancel.’
NOTE: In case the SSD isn’t visible in the Disk Management tool, check the connecting cables, connectors, and SSD for any physical or electronic damage. Reach out to a data recovery expert if the drive is not detected and you find any physical or electronic damage.
Step 3: Perform Failed SSD Recovery with the help of Stellar Data Recovery Software
- Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Standard software
- Launch the software, select ‘All Data’ and click ‘Next.’
- Select the SSD drive volume under ‘Connected Drives’ list
- Turn on ‘Deep Scan’ toggle at the bottom left and click ‘Scan’. This may a few minutes to several hours depending on the SSD interface, condition, and storage volume
NOTE: Use ‘Can’t Find Drive’ option if the SSD volume isn’t visible.
- After the scan, save the scan information by clicking the save scan icon on the menu. This feature helps you resume data recovery later and saves time
- Click on any recovered document, photo, video, or audio file to see its preview before saving. Also, use the search bar to locate critical files quickly for recovery
- Then select the files that you want to save and click ‘Recover.’
- Click the ‘Browse’ button to choose a save location on internal or external hard drive and then click the ‘Start Saving’ button.
Once you have recovered all the data from the failed SSD, go ahead and format the SSD to fix it and make it usable. Then transfer the recovered data after taking a backup to prevent permanent data loss situations.
Conclusion
It is possible—but not easy—to recover data from failed SSD. However, to improve the chances of data recovery and get back maximum data from a failed SSD, minimize the drive usage and never try to repair the SSD. Instead, immediately leverage Stellar Data Recovery Standard software for failed SSD recovery. The software can recover files from any logically failed SSD and missing drive partitions in just a few clicks.
Further, you can use the software to get back lost and deleted files from a formatted or corrupt SSD, hard drive, pen drive, and SD card volumes.
And to avoid such data loss situations, always keep a regular backup of your important files in a local drive and cloud storage.
For any further help with failed SSD recovery, comment down below.
Hi, Aruna Attri
My SSD is not getting booted. It was installed in new laptop still was not booting. The failsed SSD was removed and new SSD was installed in my laptop and was found that the same is booting wothout issues. Please help with some support and inputs on my problem.
Hi Balagopal,
Incorrect boot order can be the reason behind this “SSD not booting” issue. So I suggest you change the boot mode and in order to do this follow the below steps:
1. Make sure that the SSD is connected to your system.
2. Restart your system. Press a specific key continuously to enter BIOS Setup (usually F2, F8, Del key).
3. When you get into the BIOS Setup, use the arrow keys to select the SSD as the first boot order under the Boot tab.
I believe this solution will help you out to resolve this SSD not booting issue!
Hey, I have a problem that occurred after when I forced shut down my pc. And when I turned it on the next day, it went in a boot loop. I found after several trial and errors that it was my SSD causing the boot loop as the computer starts flawlessly when I started it off with the HDD. I have bulk data on the drive and don’t want to give up on it. Any help will be appreciated.
Hi Doyle, we know the value of your precious data, here have two options to restore data i.e from backup or via data recovery software. If you have a backup of your pc then you can retrieve it from it. Another option to try stellar data recovery and scan your system’s hard drive. It will help you to recover data from an unbootable drive. Thanks
Does this software work for micro SD card and flash drives too?
Hi Gregory Redding, Yes, you can recover data from an SD card or flash drive with the help of stellar data recovery. You just need to attach an SD card or flash drive with your pc in which you have installed the software. Thanks