If your SSD has failed, or you have deleted files from it, stop using it now. An SSD clears unused memory in the background whenever it has power, and repeated power-ups can make some firmware faults worse.
Signs your SSD needs data recovery
- The SSD has disappeared from the computer
- It shows up with the wrong name or a tiny capacity
- The computer says no bootable device
- The drive stopped working after a power cut or surge
- The SSD became read-only or very slow before failing
- An external SSD is no longer recognised
Why do SSDs fail without warning?
An SSD has no moving parts, so it does not click or grind when it fails. Your files sit in flash memory chips, and a controller chip running its own firmware keeps a map of where every piece of every file is stored.
If that firmware crashes, a sudden power cut corrupts the map, or a component on the circuit board fails, the whole drive can vanish at once. The data is often still on the memory chips, but the drive can no longer reach it.
How do we recover data from a failed SSD?
We repair the firmware or the failed electronics so the drive can read its memory again, then copy your data to a healthy drive.
The memory chips are little use without their controller. Files are scattered across them to even out wear, and many modern SSDs encrypt everything they store.
Which SSDs do we recover?
- 2.5-inch SATA SSDs
- M.2 SATA and NVMe SSDs from laptops and desktops
- External USB SSDs
- SSDs from Samsung, Crucial, Kingston, WD, SanDisk and others
Can deleted files be recovered from an SSD?
Usually not. On a hard drive, a deleted file stays on the platters until something new is saved over it. On an SSD, the operating system sends a command called TRIM to tell the drive which blocks are no longer needed, and the drive wipes them in the background. Most modern SSDs permanently clear deleted files this way within minutes.
TRIM is not always switched on, for example on some external USB SSDs. If you have deleted something from an SSD, stop using the computer straight away and talk to us, and we will tell you honestly whether recovery is possible. For hard drives and memory cards, see deleted file recovery.
How much does SSD data recovery cost?
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial consultationFind out what has gone wrong and whether it can be recovered | Free |
| Firmware repair or electronic board repairDepends on how complex the recovery is | £450 to £650 + VAT |
Prices exclude VAT. We confirm your price before any recovery work starts. See the full data recovery price list.
What to do before you bring an SSD in
- Do not initialise or format the drive, even if the computer asks you to
- Do not update its firmware or reinstall Windows or macOS on it
- If the drive is encrypted with BitLocker or FileVault, find your recovery key or password
SSD recovery questions
Is my data still there if the SSD is not detected?
Often, yes. A failed controller or firmware fault can hide the data without erasing it. We diagnose the drive before quoting.
My Mac or laptop has the SSD built into the board. Can you help?
Yes. Many modern laptops and Macs have storage soldered to the motherboard, and recent Macs also encrypt it with a chip on the same board. In these cases the recovery is done through a board repair. Contact us with your model.
Should I keep trying to turn it on?
No. Repeated power-ups can make some firmware faults worse. Switch it off and bring it in.
Will recovery software work on a failed SSD?
Not if the drive is undetected or shows the wrong name or capacity. Software can only read what the controller hands over, so the firmware or electronics have to be repaired first.