USB drives have become a convenient way to store and transfer data. However, they can become corrupted or damaged, leading to data loss. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to recover the data from a damaged USB drive.
Can I fix a corrupted USB drive?
It is often possible to fix a corrupted USB drive and recover your data. The exact methods depend on the type of corruption or damage. Common issues that can be resolved include:
- Drive not recognized – The USB drive is not detected or showing up on your computer.
- Read/write errors – You cannot open, read, copy or modify files on the drive.
- Bad sectors – Portions of the drive have become inaccessible or unreadable.
- Accidental reformatting – The drive was reformatted, deleting your data.
- File system corruption – The file system or partition table has become damaged.
- Physical damage – The USB port or drive components are physically broken.
Many of these issues can be fixed using data recovery software, reformatting the drive, or sending the drive to a data recovery service. However, if there is physical damage to the drive’s components, the data may be unrecoverable.
How to recover data from a corrupted USB drive
Here are some steps to try recovering data from a corrupted USB drive:
- Stop using the drive – As soon as you notice an issue, unplug the USB drive. Continuing to use it can overwrite and permanently erase data.
- Try the drive on another computer – Plug the drive into a different computer. Sometimes the USB drive will work normally on another PC.
- Check for physical damage – Closely inspect the USB connector and port for any signs of damage. If the drive makes unusual noises or smells, it likely has physical damage.
- Scan for errors – Use the chkdsk tool on Windows or fsck on Linux to scan for file system errors and bad sectors. This may fix basic corruption issues.
- Reformat the drive – Use disk management on Windows or GParted on Linux to quickly reformat the drive. This erases all data but can fix software issues.
- Try data recovery software – Programs like Recuva or TestDisk can restore deleted files and lost partitions on a damaged drive.
- Repair the file system – Tools like FDisk can repair or rebuild the FAT or NTFS file system on the stick.
- Remove and reconnect the drive – Unplug the USB drive, wait a few seconds, then reconnect it. This can reset issues with the USB connection.
- Disable USB write caching – Turn off write caching to prevent further data corruption. Write caching is enabled by default on some systems.
- Send to a recovery service – For severe physical damage or complex logical issues, use a professional data recovery company. This costs hundreds of dollars but has the highest success rate.
The most effective method depends on the type and extent of damage. Minor software corruption can often be fixed with formatting tools or data recovery software. Physical damage requires disassembly and repair by professionals.
Best data recovery software
Using data recovery software is the easiest DIY method of retrieving lost data from a damaged USB drive. Here are some top options:
Recuva
Recuva is free data recovery software from Piriform. It supports FAT, exFAT, and NTFS drives and can recover files that were deleted, lost due to formatting, corruption, or damage. Recuva scans the drive and displays recoverable files for you to preview and restore.
TestDisk
TestDisk is a free, open source tool that can fix partition issues, recover lost partitions, and undelete files on any type of drive. It’s more complex than Recuva but offers more options for data recovery experts.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard has a simple interface and deep scanning features. It can recover data after accidental formatting, corruption, or damage. The free version has limited capacity. The paid Pro version offers unlimited data recovery.
Stellar Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery is a premium software suite that supports all file systems and storage devices. It has advanced repair functions and a deep scan mode to completely scour the drive for recoverable data. Stellar Data Recovery has a free limited version.
These programs provide an easy way for non-experts to try recovering data themselves before paying hundreds of dollars for a professional recovery service. They can fix simple corruption issues and recover deleted or lost files.
Preventing USB drive data loss
To avoid data loss in the future, here are some tips for handling USB drives:
- Eject the drive safely before unplugging it
- Always keep backups of important data on other devices
- Avoid extreme heat, cold, or physical shocks to the drive
- Check the drive regularly with scanning tools
- Make sure to safely remove the drive when switching PCs
- Watch for signs of failure like slow performance
- Consider encrypted USB drives for sensitive data
- Handle the drive carefully and avoid liquids
Following best practices for USB drive use, maintenance, and data backups can help you avoid disastrous data loss scenarios.
When to use a data recovery service
For severe corruption, failed DIY recovery attempts, or physical damage to a USB drive, a professional data recovery service may be your last resort.
Common cases when data recovery services are needed include:
- Physical damage – Fire, water, drops, crushed, etc.
- Mechanical failure – Seized motor, head crash, click of death.
- Very large drive capacity – Software can’t handle scanning terabytes of data.
- Encrypted volumes – Software cannot bypass hardware encryption like BitLocker.
- Completely dead drive – Not spinning, not recognized, PCB failure.
- Failed previous recovery attempts – Drive corruption is now worse.
- Time constraints – Fast turnaround is needed so service avoids wait.
Data recovery service pros use specialized tools in cleanroom environments to physically repair drives and reconstruct data. This gives them the best chance of recovery.
Types of data recovery services
There are a few main levels of data recovery service to consider:
Remote recovery
You ship your USB drive to the company. They diagnose issues, attempt recovery, and return media with recovered data or provide it online. Average cost: $300-$1000.
In-lab recovery
You bring the damaged drive to their cleanroom lab facility. Experts disassemble drives and work in a dust-free environment. Average cost: $500-$1500+.
On-site recovery
Technicians come to your location, recover data in a mobile cleanroom, and image drives for investigation offsite. For emergency cases. Average cost: $1500+.
Clean room recovery
Heavily damaged drives are opened in an advanced ISO 5 cleanroom. Most thorough option. Average cost: $2000+.
On-site and cleanroom recovery have the highest chances of recovering data but are the most expensive. Many companies offer free evaluations or quotes to assess your options.
Finding a reputable data recovery company
Choosing a trustworthy and capable data recovery service is crucial. Here are tips for selecting a provider:
- Read reviews and check ratings on sites like TrustPilot.
- Verify they have a trained data recovery engineer team.
- Ask about security protocols for handling clients’ drives.
- Look for certifications from organizations like ADISA.
- Choose a company with a long track record of service.
- Ask if they can provide referrals or case studies.
- Check that they have a range of recovery options.
- Find out where recovered data is stored and how it is secured.
- Consider providers who offer free evaluations.
- Look for transparent pricing with no obligations.
Finding a capable service can give you the best chance to restore that critical data from your damaged USB drive. Do your research to pick a reliable provider.
Data recovery costs
Typical costs for USB drive data recovery services are:
| Service Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Remote recovery | $300 – $1000 |
| In-lab recovery | $500 – $1500+ |
| On-site recovery | $1500+ |
| Clean room recovery | $2000+ |
Factors that influence the overall price include:
- Damage level – Logical issues are cheaper than physical failure.
- Data volume – More data takes longer to recover.
- Drive type – SSD vs. HDD vs. RAID vs. specialty drives.
- Encryption – Bypassing hardware encryption adds difficulty.
- Urgency – Emergency or rush jobs cost much more.
- Reputable provider – Better capabilities justify higher fees.
Be wary of low prices, as quality service requires significant expertise, resources, and time. Expect to pay at least $300+ for basic remote USB recovery and $1500+ for severe cases.
Can lost data be recovered after reformatting?
Yes, data can often be recovered after accidentally reformatting a USB drive if you act quickly and do not overwrite the lost files. This is because reformatting only removes the file system – the underlying data still remains until being overwritten.
Steps to recover reformatted data:
- Avoid using the drive further to prevent overwriting files.
- Scan the drive with data recovery software to find recoverable files.
- Copy the found files to another drive to safely restore them.
- Use file recovery tools to repair damaged portions of retrieved files.
Data recovery success depends on the drive space reused after reformatting. The longer you continue using the drive after reformatting, the more likely critical data will get completely overwritten. So act fast if you accidentally reformat a USB drive to ensure the highest chance of data restore.
Can you recover data after full format?
Recovering data after a full format is possible in some cases. During a full format, the file system is recreated and all disk space is cleared. However, data remnants often persist until they are overwritten.
A full format has higher chances of data recovery than a quick format since the quick format simply marks space as reusable. However, recovering after a full format becomes less likely over time.
To recover data after a full format:
- Avoid further drive use to prevent overwriting old data.
- Use recovery software to scan for file signatures left after the format.
- Look for folder structures and retrieved files marked as “lost”.
- Copy retrieved files to new media to safely store them.
Due to data remnants after formatting, recovery is often successful if attempted soon after the full format. But the likelihood drops significantly as the formatted space is reused for new data.
USB flash drive recovery service
USB flash drives use NAND flash memory chips to store data. While their portability makes them convenient, it also exposes them easily to physical damage and corruption. This often requires professional data recovery services.
Common USB flash drive failure modes needing recovery include:
- Broken/bent/corroded USB connectors
- Bad sectors from repeated file writes
- Overheating damage
- Water immersion corroding electronics
- Firmware bugs or corruption
- Drops, collisions or cracks damaging internals
USB flash drive recovery follows a general process:
- Initial media evaluation and diagnostics
- Disassembly and possible PCB repair
- Imaging of NAND memory chips
- Data extraction using specialty tools
- File system reconstruction
Costs average $300-$1000 depending on damage severity. Choosing a specialized flash drive recovery expert can give the best results.
USB stick data recovery
USB sticks, also called USB flash drives, use flash memory to store data. Their data can become corrupted or lost due to:
- Accidental formatting or deletion
- Physically broken USB connectors
- Bad sectors or unresponsive memory
- Partition loss or file system damage
- Overheating from heat or direct sunlight
- Water exposure corroding electronics
- Firmware bugs or crashes
To recover data from a damaged USB stick, use a USB flash drive recovery service. Their general process includes:
- Assessing damage through diagnostics
- Disassembling the device in a cleanroom
- Extracting data from memory chips using specialized tools
- Cloning and imaging NAND flash memory
- Rebuilding corrupted file systems
- Saving recovered files to new media
Costs for USB stick recovery average $500-$1500+. Choosing an expert service gives you the best chance of restoring irreplaceable photos, documents, and other personal data.
Conclusion
Recovering lost files and data from a damaged USB drive is often possible with the right tools and techniques. Software solutions like Recuva can fix simple corruption issues and restore deleted files. For physical damage or highly complex cases, professional data recovery services provide the most comprehensive options. With the right approach, you have a good chance of recovering your valuable data and getting a corrupted USB drive working again.