Facing an issue with my NVMe SSD where it suddenly stopped working, and I can’t access any of the stored data. Really need to recover some critical files. Has anyone successfully recovered data from an NVMe drive before? Any recommended tools or methods?
Oh no, that sucks with NVMe drives. They’re fast but when they crash it feels like hitting a wall at 200mph. I’ve had something similar happen. Here’s what I did and some possibilities you might want to consider:
First, if the NVMe drive just stopped being recognized entirely, it might be a hardware issue more than a data corruption problem. So, try swapping it into another slot or even another PC if you can. Sometimes it’s just a loose connection or something weird with the motherboard.
If that doesn’t work, the software route is your next bet. I’ve had success with Disk Drill
. This tool works really well for recovering data from all sorts of storage devices, including NVMe SSDs. You can check it out here. The interface is super intuitive even if you’re not very tech-savvy.
Basically, you’d need to:
- Download and install Disk Drill on another drive. If you’re installing on the corrupted NVMe, you might overwrite the data you’re trying to recover.
- Open Disk Drill, and you should see your NVMe drive listed there. Select it.
- Choose the recovery method that fits – they’ve got both quick and deep scans to find your files.
- Let it do its thing. It can take a while, especially with large capacities, but it’s thorough.
Not guaranteed of course, but it’s worth a go before you throw in the towel and go to a professional data recovery service (which can be mega expensive).
Also, one thing to note: Don’t try to write or modify anything on that NVMe drive until you’ve recovered what you can. Writing data can overwrite sectors that have recoverable data.
If Disk Drill doesn’t quite cut it for you, some folks recommend trying other tools like TestDisk or EaseUS. But honestly, I’ve seen Disk Drill handle some gnarly situations so I’d start there.
Make sure you also check if there’s any firmware update for your NVMe SSD – sometimes these things crash due to firmware bugs and a fresh update could bring it back to life. You’d need another working system to do this though, as you can’t apply an update if it isn’t being recognized at all.
Lastly, keep a backup of your critical data in the future. I know that sounds a bit like preaching but SSDs can be fickle sometimes.
And in the worst-case scenario where none of these software tools work, you might have to send it to a professional data recovery service. But take that as the last resort considering the cost involved.
Hope this helps and good luck with the recovery!
Man, I’ve been there with an NVMe crashing out of nowhere. Fast as lightning until it pulls a Houdini on your data. For me, I tried something a tad different before heading down the usual software route.
One thing to try before diving into software solutions or swapping hardware is to see if your motherboard’s BIOS could help. Sometimes drives aren’t recognized at the OS level, but BIOS can still see them. Restart your machine, hop into the BIOS (usually by mashing the Delete or F2 keys like there’s no tomorrow), and see if the drive is listed there. If it is, that’s a promising sign. You can even try to boot from a live Linux USB drive (think Ubuntu or similar) as Linux can sometimes recognize drives that Windows has given up on.
If BIOS/Linux don’t do the trick or you just want to jump to recovery, let’s talk software. @byteguru mentioned Disk Drill, which IMO, long story short, is pretty solid. But like any tool, it’s not flawless. What stands out about Disk Drill is its sleek UI and relatively user-friendly experience, perfect if you’re not into the hardcore nitty-gritty. You get quick scans for light recoveries and deep scans that dig through your NVMe like a digital archaeologist. However, the deep scans can take hours, especially on large drives. It’s a good idea to start it and come back later. Also, it’s not a free tool to get the full benefits– the free version might get you see what’s recoverable, but not actually recover it, which can be pretty cheeky if you ask me.
Should Disk Drill not float your boat, there are other fish in the sea, like Recuva, which is lightweight and quick but less robust than Disk Drill when it comes to deep recoveries. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is also a notable mention; it’s powerful but can feel a bit clunky at times.
That said, think about the state of your drive here. If your NVMe has physically failed (like throwing a fit out of nowhere), no software wizardry is gonna bring it back completely—in which case, using it further could potentially make things worse. In such grim scenarios where the drive is making weird noises, not showing up at all, or causing system crashes, sending it to a professional data recovery service is your last hope. Sure, they might charge you an arm and a leg, but they also have the skills and tools you can’t get elsewhere.
On the firmware note, @byteguru is definitely on point. Firmware updates can sometimes resuscitate a drive. Check the manufacturer’s site for the SSD firmware upgrades, often they release firmware updates to address bugs just like this. But a big caution here: updating firmware can be a gamble if your drive’s already on its deathbed. If the update fails mid-process because the drive crashes or loses power, you might end up making the situation unrecoverable.
Another unconventional step before going full-on software is trying a different OS environment. Sometimes putting your NVMe in a Mac or Linux machine to see if the partitions show up there can be surprisingly effective. Cross-platform miracles happen more often than you’d think.
But hey, this is all hindsight. Going forward, super crucial to set up a backup routine. Tools like SyncBack or even straight-up using OneDrive, Google Drive, or external SSDs can save future you a lot of grief. SSDs, for all their speed and reliability, can be fickle beasts.
Best of luck, hope you dig out those critical files!
Man, I’ve been at the receiving end of a rogue NVMe myself, and I’ll tell you this: it’s a ride you’re never quite ready for. While @techchizkid and @byteguru have dropped some solid advice, let me throw in a few more angles worth considering.
Firstly, @byteguru is spot on about BIOS. Do the BIOS dance – get in there and see if the drive’s recognized. If BIOS detects it, good news – your drive’s not a doorstop just yet. Booting from a live USB drive, especially a Linux distro like Ubuntu, might surprise you. Linux has this knack for recognizing drives that Windows sulks about. Once in Linux, pop open GParted or the Disks utility, and see if the NVMe shows any signs of life.
Now let’s twist the discussion a bit. When it comes to software, sure Disk Drill is stellar – check its capabilities over at Disk Drill – but there are times when you may need to get a bit more hands-on, especially if Disk Drill doesn’t scratch the itch.
Consider using ddrescue, the hammer of data recovery in the Linux toolkit. Yes, it’s cli-based, and yes, it’s no walk in the park, but it’s a beast when Disk Drill or Recuva don’t cut it. ddrescue does a block-level copy of the faulty drive, mapping out the bad sectors and sticking them on a fresh drive. You’d need a secondary drive with at least the same capacity.
Here’s a down-and-dirty primer:
- Boot into a Linux live environment.
- Open a terminal window.
- Install ddrescue with
sudo apt-get install gddrescue. - Identify your drives using something like
lsblkorfdisk -l. - Use ddrescue with a command like
sudo ddrescue -f /dev/<source drive> /dev/<destination drive> mapfile.
Keep in mind that ddrescue can take forever – particularly with a failing drive. Prepare a cup of caffeine if you’re diving into this one.
Secondly, about firmware, fair warning—@techchizkid nailed it. Firmware updates are double-edged swords here. They can revitalize or totally brick the drive, especially mid-update crashes. Approach with the caution of a cat balancing on a tightrope.
I’ll also debate them about sending to pros as the last resort. For critical data, sometimes biting the financial bullet and going professional from the start saves time and maybe even increases odds of recovery. It’s costly but think of services like DriveSavers or Ontrack. They have forensic-level tools and sealed clean rooms more akin to a surgeon’s theater than a tech lab.
For something semi-hybrid, consider reaching out directly to the SSD manufacturer. Brands like Samsung and Western Digital offer their own recovery programs, sometimes even more adept at their hardware’s quirks.
On an off-beat path—try power cycling. Yep, heard it once, tried it, worked. Rapidly turn the PC on and off a few cycles, or freeze the drive encased in a Ziploc bag for a few hours (old trick that supposedly sometimes works for HDs – SSDs are a maybe). Anecdotal, but if all else fails, worth a shot right?
@byteguru and @techchizkid made crucial recommendations about regular backups. Here’s a nudge – get on the cloud train if you’re not already. Tools like Backblaze offer seamless automated backups for heart-palpitation-free living. Even Google Drive’s syncing simplicity goes a long way.
For future-proofing, redundancy is king. Have your files on an NVMe, a copy on an external HDD, and another synced with a cloud service. Sounds paranoid? Maybe, but it’s digital peace of mind in a volatile tech landscape.
One last gotcha: stop any further writing or altering on the NVMe drive. Forensic-grade recovery tools can dig deep into sectors, but writing new data might overwrite the old, turning recoverable files into pixie dust.
So, dance around BIOS, give Linux a whirl, arm yourself with ddrescue, and keep Disk Drill on standby at https://www.disk-drill.com/. Try power cycling as a Hail Mary, and if all roads close off, direct line to the pros might just be your silver bullet. May the recovery odds be ever in your favor.