SSD Data Recovery

• 1

  4 - 5 weeks

  Standard

  No surcharge

  Full assessment with recovery options and pricing. The typical wait before your SSD reaches our bench in the standard queue, measured from receipt.

• 2

  5 - 7 days

  Priority Rush

  +$250

  Your SSD jumps to the front of the queue. Ideal for business-critical data where a few days matter.

• 3

  1 - 2 days

  Urgent Rush

  +$500

  Dedicated technician for time-sensitive cases, with expedited handling from the moment it lands.

• Fastest 4

  Same Day

  Emergency

  +$1,000

  Immediate start. Highest priority, mission-critical situations that can’t wait.

The times above are how soon we begin diagnosing your SSD - not the full turnaround. Recovery time is quoted after diagnostics, and depends on the failure (see below). Mail-in adds free 2nd-Day-Air UPS each way (USA, excluding islands).

• How much does SSD data recovery cost?

  SSD data recovery pricing depends on the failure type and recovery method required. Logical recovery (deleted files, formatting, corruption) on a functioning SSD ranges from $300 - $800. Firmware and controller-level recovery using PC-3000 SSD ranges from $799 - $1,500. Chip-off NAND extraction for catastrophic controller or board failure ranges from $999 - $2,500. Every case starts with a $100 diagnostic evaluation that is applied toward the recovery cost. Our no data, no charge guarantee means you only pay the diagnostic fee if we cannot recover your target files. Read our full SSD data recovery cost breakdown for detailed pricing by brand and failure scenario.
• Can you recover data from a dead SSD?

  Yes - dead SSD recovery is one of our most common services. A dead SSD that is not detected by any computer has almost always failed at the controller or PCB level, not the NAND flash chips where your data is stored. The NAND cells retain their electrical charges (and your data) for years even without power. Recovery involves either repairing the controller path using PC-3000 SSD firmware tools, or performing chip-off extraction where the NAND chips are physically removed and read on dedicated hardware. The data is then reconstructed from raw NAND dumps using the controller's specific algorithms for wear leveling, interleaving, and error correction. Success rates for dead SSD recovery are high because NAND chip failure is rare - it's almost always the controller or interface that dies. Learn more in our guide on how to recover data from an SSD.
• Is it possible to recover data from a failed SSD?

  Yes - in most cases. The overwhelming majority of SSD failures happen at the controller or firmware level, and the NAND flash chips that actually hold your files survive intact. A failed SSD is recovered either by repairing the firmware path with PC-3000 SSD (the drive is placed into its controller's vendor service mode and the translation tables are rebuilt), or by chip-off extraction: physically removing the NAND chips, reading them directly, and reconstructing your files from the raw dumps. The genuinely unrecoverable cases are narrow - files deleted on a healthy drive after TRIM executed, a completed secure erase, or physically destroyed NAND. Everything else is worth a diagnostic: the $100 evaluation gives you a case-specific answer, and no data means no charge.
• Does TRIM permanently erase deleted files?

  Yes. Once the operating system sends the TRIM command and the SSD's garbage collection erases the flagged blocks, those files are permanently gone - no software and no lab can bring them back, because the flash cells have been physically reset. On modern Windows, macOS, and Linux, TRIM fires within seconds to minutes of a deletion. Two important limits: TRIM only applies to deleted or formatted files on a drive whose controller still works, and it needs power and idle time to run. That is why the correct move after an accidental deletion is to cut power immediately - pull the cable or hold the power button (a normal shutdown gives TRIM one last pass) - and keep the drive off until it is evaluated. And if your SSD failed rather than files being deleted, TRIM is irrelevant: the dead controller never executed it, and your data is still sitting in the NAND.
• Can files be recovered from an SSD that isn't detected?

  Usually, yes. An SSD that no longer appears in BIOS or Disk Management has a controller or firmware problem, not a data problem - and recovery software cannot help, because no software can talk to a drive the computer can't see. In the lab, the drive is placed into its controller's vendor mode with PC-3000 SSD so the firmware and translation tables can be repaired, or the NAND chips are read directly by chip-off extraction when the controller is truly dead. Stop re-plugging the drive into different computers and cables - repeated power cycles can deepen firmware corruption. Send it in for the $100 diagnostic instead; if the files can't be recovered, you don't pay for the attempt.
• Is SSD data recovery even possible after TRIM?

  It depends on what failed. If you accidentally deleted files and TRIM has already executed, those specific blocks are permanently erased and unrecoverable by any means. However, TRIM only affects deleted or formatted data. If your SSD has failed at the controller, firmware, or hardware level - which is the vast majority of SSD recovery cases we handle - TRIM is irrelevant because the controller stopped functioning before it could process any TRIM commands. Your data sits untouched in the NAND chips. For accidental deletion, your recovery window depends on how quickly you power off the SSD. TRIM executes within seconds to minutes on modern operating systems. If you act immediately (pull power, do not shut down cleanly), some or all of the deleted data may survive.
• How long does SSD data recovery take?

  Turnaround depends on the recovery method. Logical recovery from a functioning SSD typically takes 1 - 3 business days of active work. Firmware repair via PC-3000 SSD takes 3 - 7 business days. Chip-off NAND extraction is the most time-intensive: desoldering and reading each chip takes 1 - 2 days, followed by 3 - 7 days for data reconstruction from raw NAND dumps depending on the controller complexity and number of chips. Total turnaround including free 2nd Day Air shipping both ways to our Lincroft, NJ lab via our nationwide mail-in program is typically 2 - 4 weeks for standard cases. Rush options are available: Priority Rush 5 - 7 days (+$250), Urgent Rush 1 - 2 days (+$500), Emergency Same-Day (+$1,000).
• My SSD shows 0 bytes in Disk Management - what happened?

  An SSD showing 0 bytes, 0MB, or 8MB capacity in Disk Management has experienced firmware corruption - specifically, the controller has lost its configuration tables that define the drive's capacity and geometry. This is extremely common on SSDs using Silicon Motion controllers (Crucial MX500, many Kingston, ADATA, and budget SSD brands) and often occurs after unexpected power loss. The good news: this is one of the most recoverable SSD failure types. Your data is completely intact in the NAND chips - the controller has simply lost the metadata that tells it how much storage it has and where data is mapped. PC-3000 SSD can enter the controller's vendor mode, access the raw firmware area, rebuild the configuration and FTL tables, and restore proper drive initialization - often without requiring chip-off extraction at all.
• Can you recover data from an SSD that was formatted?

  Recovery depends on the format type and whether TRIM has executed. A quick format only erases the file system metadata (partition table, directory entries) - data blocks remain in NAND. However, the OS immediately sends TRIM commands for all blocks marked as free after formatting. If the SSD's garbage collection has already erased those blocks, the data is gone. A full format on Windows 10+ writes zeros to every sector AND triggers TRIM - making recovery extremely difficult. A secure erase destroys the encryption key, rendering all NAND contents permanently unrecoverable. For the best recovery chance after accidental formatting: immediately power off the SSD (pull the power, do not shut down cleanly), do not reconnect it to any computer, and contact our lab. The faster you act, the less data TRIM and garbage collection have destroyed.
• What is chip-off SSD data recovery?

  Chip-off recovery is the process of physically removing NAND flash memory chips from an SSD's circuit board and reading them directly on specialized hardware, bypassing the failed controller entirely. The process involves: desoldering each NAND BGA (ball grid array) package using a precision rework station at controlled temperatures to avoid damaging the flash cells, cleaning and reballing the chip pads, reading each chip on a dedicated NAND reader that communicates directly with the flash memory, then reconstructing your data from the raw NAND dumps using the original controller's specific algorithms for page layout, interleaving, ECC (error correction), scrambling, and wear leveling. Chip-off is the recovery method of last resort - used when the controller is dead and cannot be repaired. It requires knowledge of the specific controller's data layout, which varies between Samsung, Phison, Silicon Motion, Marvell, and other controller manufacturers.
• Can Geek Squad or a local shop recover SSD data?

  For basic logical recovery on a functioning SSD (deleted files, formatting), some competent shops can help using consumer software. For any controller, firmware, or hardware failure - SSD not detected, wrong capacity, dead after power surge - local shops and Geek Squad cannot perform recovery in-house. They lack PC-3000 SSD modules, chip-off desoldering equipment, NAND readers, and the controller-specific knowledge needed for firmware repair or raw NAND data reconstruction. They typically accept your SSD and ship it to a third-party lab at markup. Questions to ask any recovery provider: Do you have PC-3000 SSD? Can you perform chip-off NAND extraction in-house? Do you have Samsung/Phison/Silicon Motion specific modules? Ship directly to a specialized lab like MDRepairs through our mail-in program.
• Do you offer a no data no charge guarantee for SSD recovery?

  Yes. If we cannot recover your target files, there is zero charge for the recovery attempt - you only pay the $100 diagnostic fee. We never charge for unsuccessful recovery work. Before beginning any recovery, we provide a detailed quote with our honest assessment of recovery likelihood and the specific failures identified. You decide whether to proceed. Before delivering recovered data, we provide a complete file listing so you can verify that your important files were recovered before approving payment. This guarantee applies to all SSD recovery types - logical, firmware, controller, and chip-off - at our Lincroft, NJ lab.
• Can you recover data from an encrypted SSD?

  Yes, with important caveats. Most modern SSDs - including all Samsung, Crucial, and WD models - use always-on hardware AES-256 encryption. The controller automatically encrypts all data written to NAND using a key stored in a secure area of the controller. For firmware-level recovery where the controller is still partially functional, PC-3000 SSD can extract data through the controller path, preserving the encryption chain transparently. For chip-off extraction, we must first recover the encryption key material from the controller before reading the NAND - without the key, raw NAND dumps are encrypted gibberish. This is possible on most controllers but adds complexity. The exception is Apple T2/M-series MacBook storage - the encryption key is bound to the Apple silicon chip, and recovery requires repairing the logic board to access data through the original security chain.
• What brands of SSDs do you recover data from?

  We recover data from every SSD manufacturer: Samsung (860/870 EVO, 970/980/990 PRO, T5/T7/T9 portable), Crucial/Micron (MX500, BX500, P3/P5 Plus, T500/T700), Western Digital/SanDisk (Blue, Black, Green, Red, Extreme Portable), Kingston (A400, A2000, KC3000, NV2, FURY), Intel (660p, 670p, 680p, Optane, DC enterprise), SK Hynix (P31 Gold, P41 Platinum), Sabrent (Rocket, Rocket Q), Corsair (Force, MP series), ADATA (SU800, XPG), PNY, Team Group, Transcend, Lexar, Kioxia, and enterprise drives from Seagate (Nytro) and HPE. We maintain controller-specific PC-3000 SSD modules for Samsung, Phison, Silicon Motion, Marvell, SanDisk/WD, and Intel architectures, plus chip-off capabilities for all NAND flash types (TLC, QLC, SLC, MLC).
• Why is SSD data recovery harder than hard drive data recovery?

  Several factors make SSD recovery more complex than hard drive recovery. First, SSDs use hardware encryption by default - data in the NAND chips is encrypted, so bypassing the controller means dealing with encryption. Hard drives store data unencrypted on platters. Second, SSDs scatter data across multiple NAND chips using complex interleaving, wear leveling, and garbage collection algorithms that vary by controller manufacturer - reconstructing data from raw NAND dumps requires reverse-engineering these controller-specific algorithms. Third, TRIM actively erases deleted data, closing the recovery window for deletion cases. Fourth, SSD controllers are proprietary and failure modes vary dramatically between Samsung, Phison, Silicon Motion, and other manufacturers - there's no universal approach. Despite these challenges, professional SSD recovery success rates are high for controller and firmware failures because NAND flash chips are remarkably durable and retain data independently of the controller.
• What is the difference between SATA SSD and NVMe SSD recovery?

  The recovery approach differs primarily at the interface and controller level. SATA SSDs (2.5-inch form factor) communicate over the SATA III protocol at up to 550 MB/s. They typically use Silicon Motion, Phison, or Marvell controllers. PC-3000 SSD connects via SATA and has mature, well-documented modules for all major SATA controllers. NVMe SSDs (M.2 2280, M.2 2230, U.2 form factors) communicate over PCIe lanes at up to 7,000+ MB/s. They use Samsung Elpis, Phison E18/E26, WD proprietary, or other PCIe-optimized controllers. NVMe recovery requires PCIe interface hardware and controller-specific modules. Chip-off extraction procedures are similar for both, but NVMe drives often use newer NAND generations with different page sizes and ECC requirements. Our lab handles both - PC-3000 SSD with SATA and NVMe interfaces, plus chip-off for all form factors.
• Does SSD data recovery void my warranty?

  Chip-off extraction - which involves desoldering NAND chips - is physically irreversible and would void any remaining warranty. However, firmware-level recovery through PC-3000 SSD is non-destructive and does not modify the drive in any way that would be detectable. More importantly, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302) prohibits manufacturers from voiding warranties solely because an independent service provider performed work. In practice, most failed SSDs are either out of warranty already or the warranty only covers hardware replacement - manufacturers send a new blank drive and do not recover your data. If your SSD has failed and you need the data, professional recovery is the only option regardless of warranty status. Your data is worth more than a replacement drive.
• How do I prevent SSD data loss?

  The single most effective prevention is maintaining current backups - because SSD failures are often instantaneous with zero warning. Use a UPS or surge protector to prevent the #1 cause of SSD firmware corruption (power events). Monitor SMART health data monthly using CrystalDiskInfo - watch "Percentage Used," "Reallocated NAND Block Count," and "Media Wearout Indicator." Keep your SSD below 80% capacity to maintain healthy wear leveling and overprovisioning. Apply firmware updates only on stable power. Avoid cheap power supplies and USB hubs that deliver dirty voltage. For mission-critical data, follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies on two different media types with one copy offsite. An SSD can die without warning - a backup is the only guarantee. Read our complete data loss prevention guide.
• Can you recover data from an SSD in a MacBook?

  MacBook SSD recovery depends on the model year. Pre-2018 MacBooks use removable proprietary SSD modules that can be extracted and connected to PC-3000 SSD using Apple-specific adapters. 2018 and later MacBooks with T2 or M-series chips use soldered NAND storage that is hardware-encrypted to the specific security chip on the logic board. Recovery for T2/M-series models requires repairing the logic board at the component level to restore the encryption chain - the data cannot be accessed by removing chips because the encryption key is bound to the Apple silicon. MDRepairs is one of the few labs that performs T2/M-series MacBook board-level recovery in-house.
• What should I do if my SSD fails?

  Step 1: Stop using it immediately. Do not attempt to reinstall the OS, run diagnostics, update firmware, or power cycle repeatedly. Each action risks triggering TRIM, garbage collection, or further firmware corruption. Step 2: Do not run Secure Erase or any disk utility. These can permanently destroy data. Step 3: Note your SSD brand, model, and capacity - this helps us prepare the correct diagnostic tools before your SSD arrives. Step 4: Contact MDRepairs. Call 732-933-7717 or request a free quote. We'll provide a prepaid insured shipping label. Step 5: Pack and ship. Place the SSD in an anti-static bag, wrap in bubble wrap, and ship using the provided label. Your SSD arrives at our Lincroft, NJ lab within 2 - 3 business days and we begin diagnostics immediately.
• What is the success rate for SSD data recovery?

  Success rates vary significantly by failure type. Controller failures on SSDs without hardware encryption: very high success rate - NAND chips are almost always intact. Firmware corruption (0MB capacity, wrong model): high success rate - PC-3000 SSD can typically rebuild FTL tables without chip-off. Controller failures on encrypted SSDs (Samsung, Apple): high success rate when encryption key is recoverable, lower when it's not. NAND wear-out with uncorrectable ECC errors: variable - depends on degradation severity. Deleted file recovery with TRIM enabled: low success rate if TRIM has already executed. We don't publish an inflated blanket success number because it would be misleading. Instead, the $100 diagnostic gives you an honest, case-specific assessment of what's recoverable before you commit to paying for the full recovery.
• Can you recover a drive another lab said was unrecoverable?

  Often yes. We regularly receive SSDs declared unrecoverable by other labs and successfully recover the data. Common reasons other labs fail: they lack PC-3000 SSD modules for the specific controller (Samsung Elpis, Phison E18, WD proprietary), they don't have chip-off capability for BGA NAND desoldering and reading, they lack the controller-specific algorithms needed for raw NAND data reconstruction, or they attempted a firmware update that made the situation worse. SSD recovery is a niche specialization - many labs that excel at hard drive head swaps have minimal SSD capability. Send it for a free quote - our $100 diagnostic tells us exactly what's possible and what recovery method is needed.
• Is my data at risk while my SSD sits unpowered?

  NAND flash cells retain data without power for years under normal conditions - the industry specification is 1 year at 30°C for consumer SSDs and 3 months at 40°C for enterprise drives. In practice, consumer SSDs retain data for much longer - especially TLC and MLC NAND. However, heavily worn NAND cells with many P/E cycles have reduced charge retention. An SSD that was already near end-of-life when it was powered off may lose data faster than a lightly used drive. For this reason, we recommend shipping your SSD to our lab promptly rather than leaving it sitting for months - not because data loss is imminent, but because sooner is always safer for worn drives.
• What areas do you serve for SSD data recovery?

  We serve clients in all 50 states through our mail-in SSD data recovery program with free prepaid insured shipping. Your SSD typically arrives at our Lincroft, New Jersey lab within 2 - 3 business days via 2nd Day Air. SSD data recovery is identical regardless of your location - the recovery happens in our lab using PC-3000 SSD and chip-off equipment. There is no benefit to finding "SSD data recovery near me" - the best results come from specialized equipment and controller-specific expertise, not physical proximity. We also provide direct drop-off service at our 644 Newman Springs Road, Suite A, Lincroft, NJ 07738 lab for local New Jersey customers.