How to Recover Lost Data From a Failed NAS Device in 2024

Introduction

As network attached storage (NAS) devices become more popular for home media servers, small business file sharing, and personal backup solutions, the risk of disk failures and resulting data loss grows. When a NAS fails unexpectedly, the data recovery process can be complex and frustrating. However, with the right preparation and tools, recovering lost files from a failed NAS is possible even for novice users. In this guide, I’ll walk through the step-by-step process to recover lost data from a failed NAS in 2024.

Backup Your NAS Regularly

The best way to avoid data loss from a failed NAS is to have a current backup. Backing up your NAS regularly is crucial to protect your irreplaceable files like family photos, important documents, or business data. There are several easy NAS backup options:

• Cloud backup: Services like Backblaze B2 offer unlimited cloud backup for NAS devices at affordable rates. This securely stores copies of your data offsite.

• External drive backup: USB hard drives can be plugged into your NAS to schedule automatic backup jobs. Store the external drive safely offsite.

• Remote NAS: For businesses, mirror backup to another NAS at a remote site provides an air-gapped copy of data.

No matter which option you choose, test restoring files regularly to verify backups are working properly. With a current backup, recovering data from a failed NAS is as simple as restoring from your backup.

Attempt Non-Destructive Recovery First

When a NAS fails unexpectedly, the first step is attempting non-destructive recovery methods before invasive troubleshooting. This requires specialized NAS recovery software designed for reconstructing RAID arrays and repairing corrupted file systems.

Some top NAS recovery software options include:

• Ontrack EasyRecovery: Powerful RAID recovery with a user-friendly interface.

• R-Studio: Advanced RAID and file system repair capabilities.

• ReclaiMe: Affordable NAS recovery software with hardware independent RAID rebuilding.

These tools can repair NAS systems without altering the underlying disks. Follow these general steps:

1. Connect the NAS drives to another computer locally via SATA or external enclosure.

2. Scan drives with NAS recovery software. It will attempt to reconstruct the RAID configuration virtually.

3. If the RAID is intact, the software will mount disk volumes as if the NAS was connected.

4. Browse and copy data from the virtual NAS file system to another drive.

5. Finally, safely shut down the NAS recovery tool before disconnecting drives.

If non-destructive recovery works, all your files can be recovered intact without altering the original disks. This avoids costly specialized data recovery.

Send Drives to a Professional Lab for Invasive Data Recovery

If non-destructive NAS file system repair fails, the next step is removing the disks from the NAS chassis and sending them to a professional data recovery lab. Choose a reputable lab that specializes in RAID and NAS recovery, like DriveSavers, Gillware, or Secure Data Recovery.

The lab will utilize state-of-the-art techniques like:

• Imaging disks to safely work on copies rather than originals.

• Advanced file carving to extract data without file system information.

• Proprietary RAID recovery using sophisticated algorithms to rebuild arrays.

• Clean room recovery for mechanical failure or platters damage.

Though expensive, lab recovery can salvage data even from disks with severe physical damage or completely destroyed RAID configurations. Expect charges from $500 to $3000 or more depending on failure complexity. But for valuable business or personal data, specialized NAS data recovery services are often worth the high cost when all else fails.

Prevent Future Failures with a New NAS

After recovering lost files from a failed NAS, the final step is decommissioning the old device and moving to a new and improved NAS. Look for key features in a replacement:

• Dual LAN ports for failover and link aggregation.

• Hot swappable drive bays to replace failed disks.

• ECC RAM to prevent data corruption.

• RAID 6 support for two disk fault tolerance.

• Reputation for reliability from trusted brands like QNAP, Synology, or Asustor.

With your data restored safely to a new NAS, be sure to reconfigure regular backups immediately. Follow this NAS recovery guide, and you can get back to normal business or pleasure even after a catastrophic NAS failure. Just be sure to have that backup in place before disaster strikes.