SSD Data Recovery in London
Failed, undetected or corrupted solid state drive? We recover data from SATA, M.2 and NVMe SSDs of all brands.
Specialist SSD data recovery
Solid state drives fail very differently from hard drives. There is no clicking to warn you – an SSD can simply disappear from your computer, show the wrong capacity or lock itself into a read-only or “safe” mode. Because data is spread across NAND flash chips by the controller, recovering it needs specialist tools and firmware knowledge that general repair shops do not have.
Data Doctor recovers data from failed SSDs in laptops, desktops, Macs and external enclosures at our London lab. Every job starts with a free initial consultation, and firmware or board repairs are priced between £450 and £650 + VAT.
SSD problems we fix
- SSD not detected or showing as 0 bytes, 8 MB or a strange model name – usually controller firmware failure.
- Controller or power circuit failure after a surge or faulty charger.
- Worn-out or degraded NAND with read errors, freezing or very slow performance.
- Deleted files and formatted SSDs – recoverable in some cases, depending on TRIM (see below).
- Corrupted partitions and file systems after updates, crashes or failed cloning.
- Liquid and physical damage to laptop SSDs and M.2 modules.
We handle SATA 2.5-inch, mSATA, M.2 SATA and NVMe SSDs, including drives from Samsung, Crucial, Kingston, SanDisk, WD, Intel and those fitted by laptop manufacturers. See also Samsung SSD recovery, Crucial SSD recovery and our G-Technology portable SSD recovery.
Free initial consultation
Signs your SSD is failing
SSDs often fail suddenly, but there are sometimes warning signs: files that become corrupted or won’t open, the computer freezing when saving, error messages about read-only file systems, very slow boot times, or the SSD disappearing and reappearing after a restart. If you notice any of these, back up immediately – or, if the drive is already inaccessible, stop using it and contact us.
Laptop SSDs are also damaged by heat, liquid spills and faulty chargers. Many M.2 NVMe drives run hot under load, and repeated overheating shortens the life of both the controller and the flash memory.
How SSD recovery works
- Free initial consultation, then diagnosis – we identify the controller, firmware state and condition of the flash memory.
- Firmware repair or controller emulation – where possible we bring the drive back to a readable state using professional PC-3000 tools.
- Chip-level recovery – if the controller is dead, the NAND chips can be read individually and the data reassembled. Read more about NAND data recovery.
- File system rebuild and checks – we confirm your important files open before copying them to an external drive for you.
TRIM, encryption and what affects success
Most modern SSDs use TRIM, which wipes deleted blocks in the background. That means deleted or formatted data on an SSD should be sent to us as quickly as possible, and the drive should not be used in the meantime. Hardware encryption, BitLocker and Apple’s T2 and Apple silicon security can also limit what is recoverable – we will always tell you honestly at the diagnosis stage what can be achieved.
Before you send us your SSD
- Stop using the computer straight away – every write can trigger TRIM.
- Don’t reinstall the operating system or run repair tools.
- If the SSD is encrypted, let us know and keep your password or recovery key ready.
Frequently asked questions
Can data be recovered from a dead SSD?
Often, yes. Many ‘dead’ SSDs have a firmware or controller fault that we can repair or bypass. Success depends on the controller and whether the data is hardware-encrypted.
Can I recover deleted files from an SSD?
Sometimes. TRIM clears deleted blocks quickly, so stop using the drive immediately and contact us. The sooner we receive it, the better the chances.
How long does SSD recovery take?
Diagnosis normally takes around 24 hours. Most SSD recoveries take 2–5 working days depending on the fault; an emergency service is available.
Is SSD recovery more expensive than hard drive recovery?
It can be, because controller and chip-level work is specialised. SSD firmware or electronic board repair costs between £450 + VAT and £650 + VAT, depending on complexity. You’ll know the exact price before deciding.
Can you recover a BitLocker-encrypted SSD?
Yes, as long as you can provide the BitLocker recovery key or password. Without it the data can’t be decrypted.