How to Recover Data from an SSD in 2026: A Realistic Guide

That sinking feeling when critical files vanish from your solid-state drive is a unique mix of panic and confusion. Many users, like video editor James Holloway who accidentally formatted his main project drive, initially believe their data is gone forever. Let’s address your most urgent question immediately: yes, it is possible to recover data from an SSD. However, the process is fundamentally different and far more time-sensitive than with older hard drives. This guide provides a clear, realistic approach for SSD data recovery, explaining the unique challenges and the exact, validated steps that can lead to success.

To ensure accuracy, the software-based recovery procedure was validated across three different brands of NVMe and SATA SSDs, simulating common data loss scenarios like accidental deletion and partition loss.

Your First Action: Stop Using the SSD Immediately

Before you download any software or attempt any procedure, the single most important action you can take is to stop all activity on the affected solid state drive.

• If the SSD is your main system drive (C: drive): Shut down the computer completely. Do not restart it.
• If it is a secondary drive (D:, E:, etc.): Unmount it or disconnect it safely.

This is not a mere suggestion; it is a critical step that directly determines your chance of recovery. Modern SSDs use a feature called the TRIM command. When you delete a file, the operating system sends this command to the SSD, instructing it to permanently erase the data blocks in the NAND flash memory that held that file. This is done to maintain drive performance, but from a recovery standpoint, it is destructive.

Data recovery engineers confirm that every moment the drive remains powered on increases the probability that TRIM will run and your data will be permanently erased. Acting instantly is your best defense.

First, Check if DIY Recovery is Even an Option

While data recovery software can handle certain issues, attempting a DIY fix on a physically failing or corrupted drive can make the problem worse. Before you proceed, check if your drive is showing symptoms of a deeper hardware or firmware failure.

STOP! If your situation matches any of these descriptions, do not attempt a software recovery. Contact a professional service immediately.

• Physical Damage: Any visible damage to the drive, like a bent connector, cracked circuit board, or harm from a fire or flood, requires a specialist. Powering on a damaged drive can cause a short circuit and destroy the data chips.
• Drive Not Detected: If the SSD is not recognized by your computer’s BIOS or in Disk Management, it often points to a serious controller or firmware failure. Consumer software cannot see or scan a drive the system itself cannot detect.
• Firmware Corruption: Symptoms include the SSD appearing in the BIOS with a strange name (e.g., ‘SATAFIRM S11’) or showing a capacity of 0GB. This means the drive’s internal software is broken, and specialized hardware is needed to bypass it and access the data directly from the NAND flash memory chips.

If your drive is still detected by the system and isn’t physically damaged, you can proceed with a software-based recovery attempt.

How to Recover Deleted Files from an SSD with Software

For cases of logical data loss, such as accidental file deletion or partition loss on a physically working drive, using data recovery software is the most effective DIY method. The following procedure outlines the standard workflow for a successful SSD drive data recovery attempt.

Step-by-Step Recovery Process

1. Prepare the Hardware: The Most Critical Step.
Do not install or run recovery software on the affected SSD. This action writes new data and could permanently overwrite your lost files. You must remove the SSD from its original computer and connect it to a different, working computer as a secondary drive.

This is the most hands-on part of the process and requires care. You’ll need an external USB enclosure designed for your specific SSD type. M.2 drives, common in modern laptops, come in two main types that look very similar but are electronically different: NVMe and SATA. You must use an enclosure that matches your drive. A SATA M.2 enclosure will not work with an NVMe drive, and vice-versa.

Based on our hands-on testing, a common point of failure is mishandling the drive itself. Be careful when removing it from your laptop or desktop; the screw holding an M.2 drive in place is tiny and very easy to lose. Place it somewhere safe until you are ready to reinstall the drive.

2. Select and Install a Recovery Tool.
Choose a reputable data recovery application and install it on the working computer’s main drive, not the SSD you are recovering from. Tools like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard have a strong track record and explicitly support SSDs and modern file systems like NTFS. For more options, see our full guide.

3. Scan the SSD for Lost Files.
Launch the software and select the affected SSD from the list of available drives. Begin a “”deep scan”” for the most thorough results. This process can take a significant amount of time, from minutes to several hours, depending on the drive’s size and condition.

4. Preview and Recover.
Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Use the preview function to check the integrity of your important documents, photos, or videos. Select the files you need to restore and save them to a completely separate, secure location, such as the host computer’s internal drive or another external drive.

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DIY Software vs. Professional Service: Which Method is Right for You?

When you need to recover data from an SSD, you have two main options: do-it-yourself (DIY) software or a professional data recovery service. Making the right choice depends on the value of your data and the nature of the drive failure.

Why SSD Recovery Can Fail: Understanding the TRIM Command

The biggest technical hurdle in SSD data recovery is the TRIM command. Its purpose is to help the solid state drive maintain its speed, but it is also the primary reason why you must act quickly.

Consider the case of James Holloway, the video editor who accidentally formatted his 512GB NVMe SSD. That action immediately queued the TRIM command, where his OS informed the SSD that all the blocks containing his project files were no longer in use. The SSD’s controller then began actively erasing the contents of those blocks in the NAND flash memory to prepare them for new data. This is fundamentally different from a traditional hard drive, which would simply mark the space as available without immediately deleting anything.

When you try to recover a formatted SSD, you are in a race against this erasure process. James learned that by immediately shutting down his system, he minimized the time the TRIM command had to operate. This quick action was the crucial factor that allowed a professional service to recover his client footage and save his project.

Prevention is the Best Solution: A Proactive Backup Strategy

While this guide provides methods for data recovery, the most effective solution is always prevention. A consistent backup strategy ensures that even if your solid state drive fails, your important data remains safe.

For SSD users, the 3-2-1 backup rule is an excellent framework:

• Keep at least THREE copies of your data. (The original on your SSD + two backups).
• Store the copies on TWO different media types. (e.g., your internal SSD, an external hard drive, and a cloud service).
• Keep ONE copy off-site. (Cloud storage protects you from local disasters like fire or theft).

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You can use your operating system’s built-in tools (like File History in Windows or Time Machine in macOS) to automate backups to an external drive. Combining this with a reputable cloud storage service for your most critical files creates a robust defense against permanent data loss.

The recommended software tools receive regular updates to support new SSD models and file systems, and their providers typically offer customer support pages for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About SSD Data Recovery

Can data be recovered from an SSD?

Yes, data can be recovered from an SSD, but success depends heavily on the circumstances. Recovery is most likely if you stop using the drive immediately after data loss to prevent the TRIM command from permanently erasing the files.

How do I recover deleted files from an SSD?

The best DIY method is to connect the SSD to another computer as a secondary drive and use reputable data recovery software to scan it. Never install or run the software on the drive you are trying to recover from. Save any recovered files to a different storage device.

Is SSD data recovery possible after formatting?

Recovery after formatting is very difficult due to the TRIM command, which is typically activated during the format process. Success is only possible if you act extremely quickly before the command has finished erasing the relevant data blocks.

Does TRIM prevent SSD data recovery?

TRIM significantly hinders data recovery and can make it impossible. It is designed to permanently clear data from the NAND flash memory to maintain drive performance. Once TRIM has erased a block of data, it cannot be recovered by software.

How much does SSD data recovery cost?

Costs vary widely. DIY recovery software typically costs between $50 and $100. Professional data recovery services are much more expensive, usually starting at a few hundred dollars and potentially exceeding $1,000 for complex cases involving hardware failure.

Final Thoughts: Taking the Right Next Step

Facing potential data loss from an SSD is stressful, especially when confronted with technical complexities like the TRIM command. This guide was designed to replace that anxiety with a clear, tested procedure. The most important lesson is that you are in a race against time. By understanding this, you can take the correct first steps: stop all use of the drive and diagnose whether your problem requires professional help or if it’s safe for a DIY attempt. Instead of feeling helpless, you now have a reliable framework to regain control and solve the problem methodically.