How to Recover Data From SSD Drive? – Step By Step

One day, you turn on your laptop, and then you suddenly discover that some important files that were saved on your SSD are gone. Perhaps you erased them by mistake, you formatted the drive, or the system has crashed without any warning.

And now you are wondering: Can data be recovered from an SSD, and if yes, under what conditions? Never fear, though. In our guide, we will answer these questions, as well as clarify when and how it is possible to recover data from SSD drive. We will also provide you with some vital ideas that will enable you to avoid losing your SSD data in the future.

Part 1: Common Causes of Data Loss on SSDs

You might lose data from an SSD drive due to frequent issues related to software or hardware, such as:

1. Overheating from nearby components can damage internal parts.
2. Drops, water, or dust can harm SSDs.
3. Flaws from the factory may cause early failure.
4. Sudden loss or spikes in power can damage circuits.
5. Faulty wiring can cause data issues or failure.
6. Errors during updates or bugs can make the SSD unusable.
7. Incompatible or outdated drivers may prevent proper operation.
8. Overuse can wear out the memory cells.
9. Damaged memory areas can lead to data loss.
10. Accidental deletion causes file loss.

Part 2: Can Data Be Recovered From an SSD?

If you’re asking, “Can data be recovered from an SSD?” the answer is yes, it could be, but it’s no easy feat. Solid State Drive data recovery is often more difficult than with traditional hard disks due to the TRIM command. When TRIM is on, it assists SSDs in storage management by deleting old data fast, making space available to new files. Data that has been erased by TRIM is typically perpetuated. 

There is, however, a chance of recovery, provided TRIM has not been executed, in which case speed is of the essence after deletion or formatting. TRIM is enabled on most internal SSDs, but not on external SSDs, particularly when using USB. This increases your ability to recover deleted files from SSD drive, provided the data has not been overwritten. If the file system is damaged, your data is likely still there, just inaccessible, so an SSD file recovery tool​ may function to extract it. You can also use a backup of your SSD disk to get back your files.

Part 3: How to Recover Data From SSD Easily and Safely?

Whether you’re using an internal SSD or an external one, disabling TRIM is necessary before you try to recover data from SSD drive. This is to guarantee the TRIM won’t execute while you’re extracting data from the disk. Here’s how to deactivate TRIM using Command Prompt:

Step 1: Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt.”

Step 2: Input the following command. Hit “Enter” afterward:

• fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 1

After deactivating TRIM, you can proceed to learning how to recover data from SSD​  with a recovery tool or a backup:

Option A: SSD Data Recovery Tool

If you don’t have a backup, a professional SSD file recovery tool​ is the best option to reclaim data. 4DDiG Data Recovery is a specialized software that can find erased files on an SSD using the file system’s records. It looks for entries that show files were deleted but not yet overwritten. 

If the file system is damaged or unreadable, the software switches to identifying files based on their unique signatures. This Solid State Drive data recovery tool offers to do more, e.g:

• Reclaims files from SSDs, HDDs, USBs, SD cards, etc.
• Extract data from system crashes, virus attacks, unbootable disks, and missing partitions etc.
• Recovers audio, images, videos, documents, RAW files, and much more.
• Provides a preview of recovered files.
• Offers a free trial for Windows users.
• No technical knowledge required.

Here’s how to recover data from SSD with the help of this tool:

Step 1: Install and execute the tool on your computer. Either connect the SSD to the same PC if it’s an external drive, or choose the internal SSD.

Step 2: Pick locations in the drive where you want to find the lost files. Then, choose the file types. Hit “Scan.”

Step 3: Pause or stop the scan once you find your desired files. Examine them by their file name or path. 

Step 4: After you’re satisfied, hit “Recover” to export them to another disk other than where you lost files or your cloud drive.

Option B: Local and Cloud Backups

You might have a local backup of your SSD, like on File History or Backup & Restore, or a cloud backup like OneDrive. If you’ve activated one of these built-in backup tools, you can recover deleted files from SSD drive from there. Here’s how to recover data from SSD from File History, Backup & Restore, and OneDrive:

Using File History:

Step 1: Input “con” in the Windows search bar. Then, open “Control Panel.”

Step 2: Visit “System and Security.” Next, choose “File History.”

Step 3: Click “Restore personal files” and browse through backups.

Step 4: Select the files you want. Click the green “Recover” button to restore them.

Using Backup & Restore:

Step 1: In Control Panel, visit “System and Security.”

Step 2: Next, choose “Backup and Restore (Windows 7).” 

Step 3: Then, click “Restore my files.”

Step 4: Use Browse for files or Browse for folders to manually look for what you need.

Step 5: Select the desired files, then click “Next.”

Step 6: Hit “Restore” to begin the recovery.

Using OneDrive:

Step 1: Visit “onedrive.live.com.” Next, sign in to your Microsoft account.

Step 2: Open the folder where you’ve kept the backup files of your SSD disk. Then, pick the files you want back. 

Step 3: Hit “Move to” or “Copy to.” Then, export the files to another disk other than the SSD.

Option C: Professional Data Recovery Services

When data is overwritten on your SSD drive or the disk is physically damaged or undetectable in BIOS, you won’t be able to recover the files yourself. Therefore, contact a professional and credible data recovery service near you.  They’ll use specialized equipment and techniques like metadata reconstruction, mapping, and carving to recover deleted files from SSD drive. While data recovery services can be expensive, only look for one that offers to retrieve some data as proof before asking for payment.

Part 4: Tips for Protecting Your Solid State Drive

After Solid State Drive data recovery, it’s imperative you take some measures to protect your data. This is to prevent losing files from your SSD drive again in the future due to unknown errors. Here are some tips:

1. Shut down your computer regularly to perform maintenance and spot issues.
2. Eject your SSD drive with the “Safely Remove Hardware” method if it’s external.
3. Run CHKDSK and check S.M.A.R.T. to find and monitor drive problems.
4. Handle external SSD drives carefully and use protective cases to avoid damage.
5. Use antivirus software to scan for malware and protect against it.
6. Manage memory by keeping an eye on RAM and clearing space when needed.

Solid State Drive Data Recovery FAQs

Q1: How to recover data from SSD not detected?

If your external SSD is not detected by your computer, it could be because of a connection problem or a temporary glitch. So, unplug the drive. Then, restart the system. Afterward, check the USB cable and port, and if they’re functioning fine, reconnect the SSD disk with your computer again. 

Q2: How much does it cost to recover data from an SSD?

The cost to extract data from an SSD depends on its size and how complicated the data loss situation is. However, on average, data recovery from an SSD disk starts at $300 and can go beyond $3000.

Bottom Line

Whether can data be recovered from an SSD depends on how fast you act, know what affects recovery, like TRIM, or file system issues, and if you have a backup. If you don’t have a local or cloud backup of your SSD disk, your best option is a tool like 4DDiG Data Recovery. 

It can recover data from SSD drive lost due to numerous data loss scenarios with high success. The tool also allows you to reclaim your desired file types from among 2000+ formats and examine retrieved files.