“My Qnap NAS hard drive suddenly started making inappropriate noises. After restarting my NAS server, I lost some of my important videos stored on my NAS drive. I am really worried! I want to recover my data from the NAS hard drive.”
Have you recently lost data from your NAS drive? Are you worried and looking for more accessible methods to recover data from a NAS drive? Worry not. Our article has got your back!
NAS servers deal with an enormous amount of data and information. Therefore, the possibility of losing data from a NAS drive is real. However, reading this article will help you with a step-by-step guide to recovering files from NAS drives.
NAS data loss/malfunction
NAS drives use a RAID configuration to store data. Therefore, like RAID levels, they are susceptible to failure and possible data loss. However, there are some common reasons for data loss in NAS devices. Some of these are listed below:
- Incorrect RAID array setup
- Failure of several RAID drives
- Error in the server registration configuration
- Malfunction of the person responsible
- Accidental deletion of data
- Corrupt firmware
- Damaged PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
- Improper shutdown
- Abrupt power failure
- Reset system
- Corrupt database and more
How can I restore data from a NAS hard drive?
Note: If data loss occurs, you should immediately stop writing new data to the NAS server. Most data recovery methods work by restoring lost data from the storage addresses. Even if the data appears to have disappeared, it is still on the hard drives and the memory addresses where it was stored may still be intact.
Restore data using a backup
Some NAS brands offer an integrated backup solution that makes it easier for you to save the data on your NAS drives (files, folders, documents, system configurations, etc.). You can order a schedule to create a backup or perform it manually. Hyper Backup also allows you to back up your
NAS device data on a local shared folder, remote servers, file servers and external storage devices connected to the NAS, as well as public cloud services. If you have backed up the NAS server with Hyper Backup, follow the steps below and restore the data:
Hot-swap of the failed drive
This method works if the NAS is equipped with RAID 1, 5, 6, 10 or SHR. You can replace the defective drive with a new one during operation and the person responsible will rebuild the array. However, this may affect the RAID performance, but your data will remain intact and can be recovered from the NAS. You can follow the steps below to hot-swap the defective drive in the NAS device:
- Open the RAID controller and make a note of the failed drive from the RAID configuration used in the NAS server.
- Switch off your NAS server via the DSM web interface or via the power switch.
- Replace the failed drive in the array with a new or replacement drive in the array.
- Switch on your NAS device and check the status of your RAID configuration, i.e. whether it is “Degraded” or “Rebuilding”.
- Start the RAID recovery process. After a successful restore, you can restore the data on the newly added drive of the array using backup media.
Use software for data recovery from NAS data
If you are unable to retrieve data from a NAS RAID drive using the above methods, you can opt for an advanced NAS data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery ToolKit. This DIY (do-it-yourself) data recovery software can efficiently scan and recover files/folders from inaccessible, failed or broken RAID 0, 5, 6 and hybrid RAID levels such as RAID 10, 50 and 60 used in NAS servers. The software virtually rebuilds the RAID array and enables data recovery on the NAS. You can follow the steps given:
- Download Stellar Data Recovery ToolKit and run it on your system.
- Connect the RAID array used in your NAS to your system. (The software supports data recovery from the RAID levels mentioned above).
- Select All data on the What to restore screen and then click Next.
- Then select the option Data carrier under Connected drives and click on Scan.
- The scanning process is started.
- After scanning, the software displays the results on the screen.
- Select the files. You can see a preview of the files you want to retrieve.
- Click on Restore to continue.
- If the desired files are not found in the scan results after the scan, click on the “Click here” link at the bottom to start the “Deep Scan”.
- Now select Browse to select a storage location. (Select another drive or an external media drive.)
- Finally, select Start-Save to save the restored files
- The files are saved in the location you have selected.
The quintessence
A NAS hard drive is susceptible to data loss. However, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Data recovery from a NAS drive is possible.
For NAS hard drive data recovery, you can use CMD to repair the properties of your drive or seek the help of a professional agency. But Recoverit NAS Data Recovery is the best choice as you don’t need to remove the drive from your NAS server. Moreover, it is a highly recommended automated tool as it can be operated with certainty even by users without any expertise.
