Solid-state drives have become the default storage device in most modern laptops and desktop computers — faster and lighter than traditional hard drives, but not immune to failure. In fact, when an SSD fails it often does so suddenly and without warning, leaving you with no access to your files and no obvious explanation for what went wrong. Recovering data from an SSD requires different tools, different techniques, and a deeper level of specialist knowledge than hard drive recovery — which is exactly why it matters who you choose to handle it. At Mojoo Limited, we have been recovering data from all types of failed storage since 2000, and our No Data, No Fee guarantee means you will never pay for a recovery we cannot deliver.
Why SSD Recovery Is Different From Hard Drive Recovery
Many people assume that because SSDs have no moving parts, they are safer and easier to recover than traditional hard drives. The reality is more complicated. Here is what makes SSD recovery genuinely different, explained in plain English:
- SSDs use NAND flash memory chips, not spinning platters. Data is stored electrically across multiple chips rather than magnetically on a rotating disc. This means the recovery techniques used for hard drives simply do not apply — specialist chip-level tools are required to access the data when the drive’s own controller fails.
- The TRIM command can permanently erase deleted data. When you delete a file on a hard drive, the data remains physically present until overwritten. On an SSD, TRIM tells the drive to proactively erase those blocks, sometimes within seconds of deletion. This is why acting immediately is even more critical with SSDs — every minute the drive stays powered on after a deletion increases the risk that the data is permanently gone.
- Controller failure leaves data trapped but intact. The controller chip manages everything the SSD does. When it fails, the NAND flash chips holding your data can still be perfectly readable — but only with tools that can bypass the failed controller and access the chips directly. Without those tools, the drive is completely inaccessible.
- Firmware bugs can cause sudden, catastrophic failure. Several SSD models from major manufacturers have known firmware defects that can cause the drive to fail completely from one boot to the next. Firmware-level recovery requires brand-specific knowledge and tools that most general IT shops simply do not have.
- There is no clicking noise warning. A failing hard drive often announces itself with clicking or grinding sounds that give you time to back up. An SSD typically gives no warning at all — it works perfectly one moment and is completely inaccessible the next.
SSD Types We Recover
SATA SSDs (2.5-inch)
The 2.5-inch SATA SSD is still found in millions of laptops and desktops, particularly those manufactured before 2019. These drives are the most common type we see for recovery and include models from Samsung (860 EVO, 870 EVO), Crucial (MX500, BX500), Kingston (A400, KC600), Western Digital (WD Blue), Intel (545s), and SanDisk (Ultra). Typical recovery scenarios include accidental deletion of files, accidental formatting of the drive, file system corruption, firmware failure, and drives that have stopped being recognised after a Windows update or sudden power loss.
NVMe & M.2 SSDs
NVMe drives are the fastest consumer storage devices available, and they are now standard in virtually all laptops and desktops made since 2020. They connect via the M.2 slot using the PCIe interface, and their speed comes at the cost of greater complexity when things go wrong. We recover data from Samsung NVMe drives (970 EVO, 980, 980 Pro, 990 Pro), Western Digital Black SN-series, Seagate FireCuda, SK Hynix, Kingston Fury Renegade, Corsair MP600, and many others. NVMe recovery requires chip-level tooling beyond what is needed for SATA drives, but successful recovery is very achievable in the right hands. If your laptop will not boot and you suspect the NVMe drive, do not attempt to reinstall the operating system — contact us first.
External USB SSDs
Portable external SSDs have become popular for their speed and durability compared to portable hard drives, but they are still vulnerable to failure — particularly from being dropped. Unlike a portable hard drive, which tends to fail at the mechanical level when dropped, an external SSD can fail at the USB bridge controller level, at the SSD controller level, or at the NAND chip level. We recover data from WD My Passport SSD, Samsung T7 and T5, Crucial X8 and X6, and other popular models. Where the USB enclosure electronics have failed but the SSD module inside is intact, recovery is often very straightforward.
Common SSD Failure Scenarios We Handle
- SSD suddenly not detected — laptop will not boot, or the drive has disappeared from Windows, Device Manager, and the BIOS entirely. This is often a controller or firmware fault.
- Accidentally deleted important files or emptied the Recycle Bin — act immediately and stop using the drive. TRIM may already be running. The sooner the drive is with us, the better the chances of recovery.
- SSD reformatted or partition wiped — an accidental format or partition deletion does not always mean the data is gone, but time is critical on an SSD. Contact us before using the drive for anything else.
- Firmware error causing the drive to appear as 0MB — a known failure mode for several SSD models. The drive is detected but reports zero capacity. This is a firmware-level fault that is recoverable with the right tools.
- Controller failure after a power surge — a power cut or surge can damage the controller chip. The NAND chips holding your data are often completely unaffected.
- SSD dropped or physically damaged — external SSDs in particular are vulnerable to physical shock. We assess the drive and determine whether chip-level access is required.
- Failed Windows or macOS system update left the drive inaccessible — an interrupted or failed update can corrupt the boot partition or file system, leaving the drive unreadable even though the data is intact.
- BitLocker-encrypted SSD where the key has been lost or the drive has failed — BitLocker recovery requires the recovery key. If you have the key and the drive has failed at a hardware level, we may still be able to recover the data. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
SSD Data Recovery Pricing
All SSD recovery starts with a free diagnosis and a written quote. You will never pay anything until you have seen the full cost and agreed to proceed. Our No Data, No Fee guarantee applies to every job, and for a complete breakdown of pricing across all device types please see our data recovery pricing page.
| Recovery Type | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logical (deleted files, accidental format) | £90 | Success depends on TRIM status — act quickly |
| Firmware / controller failure | £200 | Specialist chip-level tools required |
| Physical damage | £300+ | Quoted individually after free diagnosis |
Important: if your SSD is still working but behaving strangely — running slowly, freezing during file access, or throwing occasional errors — back up your data immediately before it fails completely. An SSD that is showing early signs of trouble can stop working entirely at any moment. If you need help with an urgent or time-critical situation, our emergency same-day service is available.
SSD Recovery in West Bromwich & Across the UK
Our workshop is at 4 Atlas Grove, West Bromwich, B70 9EB. We welcome walk-in appointments for SSD assessment Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Customers across the West Midlands — including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Halesowen, and Stourbridge — are usually able to reach us within the hour. For UK-wide customers, send your SSD or laptop to us using Royal Mail Special Delivery or DPD tracked courier. We will confirm receipt by email and keep you updated throughout the recovery process. For traditional spinning drive failures, our hard drive recovery service covers all HDD types, and our main data recovery hub provides a full overview of everything we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About SSD Recovery
Can deleted files be recovered from an SSD?
Sometimes, but it depends on speed and circumstances. When a file is deleted from an SSD, TRIM may begin erasing the underlying data very quickly — particularly on drives connected to Windows 10 or 11, or modern macOS. If the drive has been powered off since the deletion and has not been used since, there is a meaningful chance of recovery. If the drive has continued running, it becomes increasingly unlikely. The single most important thing you can do is stop using the drive immediately and contact us on 07958 468 173 — we will tell you honestly what the realistic chances are after a free diagnosis.
My SSD just stopped working overnight with no warning — what happened?
This is one of the most common SSD failure modes and it happens for several reasons. A firmware bug can trigger a sudden failure where the drive stops being recognised completely. A controller chip can fail, particularly after a power fluctuation. Or a batch of NAND cells may have reached the end of their write cycle life simultaneously. In all of these cases, the underlying data is often still physically present on the NAND chips — it is simply inaccessible through normal means. Bring the drive in for a free diagnosis and we will identify the fault and let you know what recovery looks like.
Is SSD recovery more expensive than hard drive recovery?
Generally, yes. The tools required for SSD recovery — particularly for controller bypass and chip-off recovery on NVMe drives — are significantly more specialist and expensive than those used for hard drive recovery. Logical recovery on a SATA SSD (where the drive is still detected and the fault is software-level) is comparable in price to hard drive logical recovery. Physical and firmware-level SSD recovery tends to be more involved and priced accordingly. All pricing is confirmed upfront via a written quote after the free diagnosis, with no obligation to proceed.
Can you recover data from a laptop SSD without removing it?
In some cases, yes. For logical failures where the SSD is still detected by the system but the data is inaccessible, we may be able to work with the laptop as a whole rather than removing the drive. However, for firmware, controller, or physical failures, we generally need to remove the SSD to work on it directly. If you are not comfortable removing the drive yourself, simply bring the whole laptop to our workshop and our engineers will handle it safely. We work with all laptop brands and form factors.
My laptop fell and now the SSD isn’t detected — can you help?
Yes. A dropped laptop can cause physical damage to the SSD — the connector may have become dislodged, the M.2 slot contacts may have been damaged, or in a harder impact the SSD’s own PCB or NAND chips may have cracked. In the mildest cases, simply reseating the drive resolves the issue. In more serious cases, chip-level access may be required. Bring the laptop in for a free assessment and we will determine the exact cause before quoting for any work.
How do I send my SSD safely by post?
For a bare M.2 or 2.5-inch SSD, place it in an anti-static bag if possible, wrap it with two to three layers of bubble wrap, and pack it firmly in a small rigid cardboard box so it cannot move in transit. For a laptop containing the SSD, wrap the whole laptop in bubble wrap inside a well-padded box. Send it to Mojoo Limited, 4 Atlas Grove, West Bromwich, B70 9EB using Royal Mail Special Delivery or a DPD tracked service. Keep your proof of postage and we will email you as soon as the parcel arrives with us.
Get Your SSD Data Back — Contact Us Today
Whether your SSD has failed completely, you have accidentally deleted files, or your laptop simply will not boot, we are here to help. Call us on 07958 468 173 Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, or use our contact form. Free diagnosis, no obligation, and our No Data, No Fee guarantee covers every job. The sooner you contact us, the better your chances — especially with SSDs where TRIM can reduce recovery options quickly.