NVMe is faster, more compatible, and performs better than traditional SSDs and HDDs. However, they are not immune to data loss. Logical errors, OS corruption, physical damage, and virus or malware attacks can cause data loss in NVMe SSDs.
If you are here and reading this, I assume you have lost your NVMe SSD data and looking for ways to recover it.
Table of Contents
Is it Possible Recover data from NVMe SSD?
Yes, you can recover data from an SSD. When you format or delete an NVMe SSD, the operating system can’t reference the data on the disk. But, if the specific drive sectors are not overwritten, you can still recover data from M2 SSD.
However, there is one catch. Have you ever heard the term TRIM when working with SSDs? Keep reading to learn more.
What is TRIM in SSD?
TRIM is an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) command that tells the SSD to erase data blocks when they are no longer used.
The TRIM command improves the performance of data writing to SSDs and contributes to increasing their lifespan. Earlier SSDs did not have the TRIM feature, but new-generation SSDs come with it enabled.
Recovering data from TRIM-enabled NVMe SSDs is tough because TRIM instantly overwrites deleted data. While tricky, recovery is possible.
Disable TRIM before recovery, or bypass it by disconnecting the SSD and reconnecting via USB. Stop using the SSD after data loss to prevent overwriting until recovery is complete.
In the section below of this article, we explained how you can disable your TRIM Command.
How to Disable TRIM?
- Open Command prompt as Administrator.
- Type the command: “fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify=1” and hit Enter.
Now that the TRIM command has been disabled, you can move to the next section, which discusses recovering data from an NVMe SSD.
Recover Data From NVMe SSD: Solutions
Method 1: NVMe SSD Data Recovery Using Remo Recover Data Recovery Software
A reliable data recovery tool can make NVMe recovery easy and worry-free. All you need to do is choose a tool compatible with your device and capable of recovering data from NVMe SSDs in almost all data loss cases.
One such tool is Remo Recover, a safe and effective software compared to others. It can recover 500+ file formats and has a user-friendly interface. Recovering data from an NVMe SSD will be effortless. Once the TRIM command is disabled, scan the drive using the software to bring back all your files.
How To Recover Data from NVMe SSD Using Remo Recover?
- Keep your NVMe SSD connected to your computer, and download and install Remo Recover
- Launch the tool and select the NVMe SSD from the list of available devices on the home screen.
- Click on the Scan button to initiate the NVMe recovery process.
- Once Quick Scan is completed, click the Dynamic Recovery View to view the files as they recover.(This allows you to review the files and select the ones you want to retrieve).
- Locate the files in the Deleted Files or Lost and Found Files folders and double-click on any file to preview it.
- Once the scanning process is complete, select the specific files or folders you wish to recover. Click on the Recover button to save the recovered files.
When the NVMe drive does not show up due to severe physical damage, traditional software solutions become ineffective in recovering the data. In these instances, it is crucial to enlist the assistance of professional data recovery experts.
Method 2: Recover Data From NVMe SSD Using Professional Data Recovery Services
Recovering data from a damaged NVMe SSD often requires sending it to a specialized lab where experts use advanced tools.
Success depends on the damage level. When standard software fails, professional data recovery services offer a solution, using specialized equipment in controlled settings to boost recovery chances.
Fix Logical Error to Repair NVMe SSD
If you are facing logical issues on your NVMe SSD that are preventing you from accessing the data, here are a few solutions.
Run Check disk: Open the Command prompt as an administrator> Type chkdsk [drive letter]: /f and Press Enter. This will scan and fix the file system errors on the NVMe SSD.
Antivirus: Run a scan using an updated antivirus tool to prevent malware attacks from corrupting your SSD drive.
Update SSD drivers: Open Device Manager > Expand Storage controllers, right-click on Standard NVM Express controller, and update to ensure optimal functionality.
Assign a letter: When your NVMe SSD is not showing up in File Explorer because it lacks a drive letter, assigning a new one will fix the issue and make the drive accessible.
Also Read: How to Fix M.2 SSD Not Showing Up Windows 11
Difference Between NVMe, M.2, and SATA SSDs?
The main difference between NVMe and SATA is speed, drivers, and cable clutter. When it comes to superior storage technology, NVMe is second to none. Even at first glance, the performance difference between NVMe and SATA is impressive.
The communication drivers and interfaces between NVMe and SATA are completely different. SATA uses AHCI drivers for spinning hard disk drives (HDDs), while NVMe drivers are specifically designed for SSDs using flash memory technology.
Additionally, NVMe can use PCIe slots to communicate between the storage interface and the system CPU for even greater impact.
Besides NVMe and SATA, M.2 is also a common term for SSD storage drive. M.2 SSD drive is nothing but a form factor for SSD drives. M.2 Solid State Drives were known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF).
NVMe SSDs only use the M.2 form factor, while SATA SSDs are available in the standard 2.5-inch form factor and the smaller, slimmer M.2 form factor. Most modern SATA SSDs come in a 2.5-inch form factor.
We have added a useful table below that shows everything you need to know to distinguish between the most common SSD types.
| NVMe SSD | M.2 SSD | SATA SSD | |
| Price Range | 250 GB – $50 to $90 500 GB – $70 to $160 1 TB – $120 to $200 | 250 GB – $40 to $90 500 GB – $50 to $160 1 TB – $90 to $200 | 250 GB – $40 to $70 500 GB – $50 to $90 1 TB – $90 to $140 |
| Speed | PCIe Gen 3: Up to 3,500MB per second PCIe Gen 4: Up to 7,500MB per second | SATA: Up to 550MB per second NVMe: PCIe Gen 3: Up to 3,500MB per second PCIe Gen 4: Up to 7,500MB per second | Up to 550MB per second |
| Form Factors | M.2 U.2* PCle card* *Less common | N/A (This is a form factor) | 2.5-inch drive M.2 |
| Interface Types | N/A (This is an interface type) | SATA NVME | N/A (This is an interface type) |
| Advantages | Blazing speeds, especially when pairing top-end drives with an equally high-end motherboard | Takes very little space in a desktop PC build | Good balance between affordability and speed |
| Disadvantages | Higher cost | SATA M.2 drives can sometimes be more expensive than their 2.5-inch counterparts | Slow Speed |
| Mostly Found In | Higher-end (and some mid-range) laptops or pre-built desktop PCs | Mid-range and higher-end laptops or pre-built desktop PCs | Budget laptops or pre-built desktop PCs |
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you to recover data from your NVMe SSD. Moreover, always take a computer backup to deal with unexpected data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can attempt to repair a failed SSD by reinstalling it. Reinstalling a failed SSD is a potential fix, but it is important to remember to transfer all of your data to another device beforehand, as this will erase the SSD, and any information stored on it will be gone forever.
To recover data from dead M2 SSD, all you have to do is download and install Remo Recover on your Computer and follow the below steps:
1. Launch Remo Recover software and select the M.2 SSD.
2. Now, click the Scan Button to start the scan process.
3. The software starts scanning your drive, and after it completes scanning, it displays the list of recovered files.
4. You can Preview the files for free.
5. If you are happy with the recovery session, select the files you want to restore and click the Recover button to save them.
Repairing NVMe SSD depends on the damage you are trying to repair. Physical damage to NVMe SSDs is unusual because of their design and the absence of moving components. If the drive is physically damaged and your SSD is not showing up in Windows, you can contact a specialist rather than attempting to repair it alone.
To address logical corruption, you can check for malicious software, alter the drive letter or modify the existing one, update or reinstall the SSD drivers, and run CHKDSK to attempt to repair the SSD.
