Solid-State Drive (SSD)

Recovering data from a Solid-State Drive (SSD) can be challenging due to how SSDs manage data (especially with TRIM). Here’s a step-by-step guide depending on the issue:

Types of SSD Data Loss and Recovery Methods

Accidental Deletion / Formatting

If TRIM is disabled or hasn’t run yet, data may still be recoverable:

Use SSD-compatible data recovery tools:

• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
• R-Studio
• Disk Drill
• Recuva (basic but free)

Important: Stop using the SSD immediately to prevent overwriting deleted data.

TRIM Command Issues

TRIM tells the SSD to wipe deleted data immediately, making it unrecoverable in many cases.

If TRIM was enabled and the data was deleted, recovery is typically not possible.

You can check TRIM status:

• Windows: `fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify`
• macOS: `system_profiler SPSerialATADataType`

Logical Failures (e.g., File System Corruption)

Use tools like:

• TestDisk to fix partition tables.
• PhotoRec to recover files despite a damaged file system.
• Mount the SSD as a secondary drive on another system for safer analysis.

Firmware or Controller Failure

Symptoms: SSD not detected, freezing, or crashing.

• Try updating the firmware via the manufacturer’s tool (e.g., Samsung Magician, Crucial Storage Executive).
• Some SSDs may lock up due to power loss or firmware bugs. Power-cycling (repeated on/off sequences) can temporarily restore access in rare cases.

Physical or NAND Chip Failure

• If the SSD is completely dead or not recognized at all, this is likely a hardware failure.
• Do not open the SSD – NAND recovery requires clean-room equipment.
• Contact a professional data recovery lab experienced in SSD chip-off or controller-level recovery.

Future Prevention Tips

• Enable automatic backups (e.g., cloud or external drive).
• Regularly clone the SSD using tools like Macrium Reflect or Acronis.
• Monitor SSD health with SMART tools.