USB flash drive data recovery
Most common USB flash drive failures
What USB flash drive problems do we see most often?
- Damaged USB connector – the flash drive does not respond, drops the connection, disappears from the system or heats up; usually caused by broken signal connections, a loose USB plug or a cracked PCB
- Accidental formatting or file deletion – the data is no longer visible, but the flash drive is still detected by the computer
- “Insert disk” or “You need to format the disk” messages – file system, partition table or controller firmware errors after unplugging during a write operation or a power failure
- USB flash drive recognised as “Unknown USB device” – controller fault, block map corruption or incorrect media initialisation
- Liquid damage or overheating – the flash drive heats up, resets or causes the computer to restart; possible damage to power circuitry or memory
- Reported capacity 0 B or “No media” – the controller does not see the memory space due to firmware damage or errors in the NAND service area
How much does USB flash drive data recovery cost?
The cost of recovering data from USB flash drives depends on the type of damage and how the device is built. The price is influenced by factors such as its construction, controller type and the memory chips used. You’ll find example price ranges below, and you can get an approximate quote using our online calculator.
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Logical issuesfrom 100 €
- Accidental file deletion
- Formatted partitions
- File system error or corrupted logical structure
- Flash drive showing as RAW
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Chip Offfrom 170 €
- USB flash drive detected as “Unknown USB device”
- Reported capacity 0 B / “No media” message
- Liquid damage, overheating, damaged PCB
- Device not detected
What the recovery process looks like
- Drive submission – filling online form out the and delivering the device
- Analysis and quote – detailed report and service cost
- Repair and data recovery – lab work on your device
- Delivery of recovered data – on a new device or via secure download
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try to recover the data from a USB flash drive on my own?
If the flash drive is correctly recognised by the computer, the first step should be to create a binary image file and work on the image, not on the original device. This keeps the risk of damaging the media during analysis and recovery to a minimum.
If a failure occurs while creating the image, there is still a chance to preserve at least part of the data.
We always perform recovery exclusively on a binary copy.
My USB flash drive shows less capacity than before – can this be fixed?
Yes, but the repair involves complete data loss.
When restoring the correct capacity, the memory is reinitialised, which erases all existing data.
To recover data from such a device, the memory chip has to be read directly using an external programmer (Chip-Off procedure).
Is the diagnosis included in the recovery cost and what does it cover?
No. The analysis is a separate service, paid upfront (50 € for standard mode or 170 € for express mode), which keeps the actual data recovery cheaper than in companies that offer a “free diagnosis.” It includes a detailed inspection of the drive, identification of the type of damage, and assessment of the chances of data recovery. Based on this, we classify the case, prepare a report of the performed procedures, and provide an exact cost estimate.
How long does USB flash drive data recovery take?
The turnaround time depends on the type of damage. Simple logical cases usually take 3–5 business days, while recovery after controller failure or using a chip-off procedure may take anywhere from several days to a few weeks.
Are my recovered data secure and confidential?
Yes. All work is carried out in a controlled laboratory environment. Your data is processed only on dedicated, encrypted workstations, and access is restricted to authorised specialists. Everything is covered by our confidentiality policy, and at the client’s request we can also sign an additional NDA.
Logical damage on USB flash drives
Data on USB flash drives can be lost not only due to physical damage, but also as a result of logical errors.
This can happen, for example, after an interrupted write operation, a device error, improper removal of the USB drive or a power failure.
A typical symptom is a message such as “The disk needs to be formatted”, “Insert disk”, or an empty folder even though space is shown as used.
Electronics and connection failures
Electronic damage to USB flash drives is one of the most common reasons why they are no longer detected by the computer.
Such failures are usually caused by power surges, liquid damage, a broken casing or a damaged USB connector.
The device may heat up, disappear from the system or trigger an “Unknown USB device” message.
In many cases it is possible to restore communication with the controller and safely read the data, while in more serious cases a direct readout of the NAND memory (Chip-Off procedure) is required.
NAND flash cell degradation
The flash memory used in USB flash drives has a limited number of program/erase cycles, so over time it naturally wears out.
In devices that are frequently used to move and overwrite files, this can lead to read errors, data loss or intermittent loss of access to the memory.
Typical symptoms of progressive degradation include longer copy times, write error messages, CHKDSK starting automatically when the drive is connected, disappearing folders or files with a corrupted structure.
Controller or firmware issues
Damage to the internal firmware or controller is one of the most serious types of USB flash drive failure.
The device may appear as a drive with 0 B capacity, refuse to format, or stop responding altogether when connected.
In some cases the flash drive reports an incorrect capacity, changes its reported manufacturer ID, or shows an “Unknown USB device” message.
Such faults should never be repaired on your own – reinitialising the controller will permanently erase all data stored in the memory.
In these situations, data recovery requires direct access to the NAND memory, bypassing the damaged controller using a Chip-Off procedure.
What not to do with USB flash drives
Incorrect actions can significantly reduce the chances of successful data recovery and, in some cases, lead to permanent data loss. Below are the most common mistakes you should avoid:
- Do not format the flash drive again, even if the system suggests it – even a quick format can overwrite file structures or trigger the TRIM mechanism, making later recovery impossible
- Do not use free repair or data recovery tools without first creating a binary copy – most of them may write directly to the device, overwriting the original contents
- Do not keep plugging the flash drive into different ports or computers – reconnection increases the risk of errors in the service area or complete controller failure
- Do not bend, clean or dry the flash drive – physical deformation, contact with alcohol or high temperature can damage the connector, PCB or electronic components
- Do not try to restore the capacity or flash new firmware – operations of this kind permanently erase all data and make later recovery impossible