Guide: How to Recover Data from SSD that Won’t Boot?

Learn how to recover data from SSD that won’t boot using two feasible ways on this page. You can also recover data from dead SSDs and protect SSD data via varied tips.

Penny

By Penny / Updated on September 13, 2024

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Is it possible to recover files from SSD that won’t boot?

Nowadays, more and more laptop computers use SSDs to store data because SSDs offer short boot times for your computer, more immediate data transfer, and higher bandwidth than traditional HDDs.

But some users have reported that their SSD drives cannot boot. Let’s look at one case.

   
   
   
       

I am having issues with my SSD not allowing my system to boot from it. The next day, I started my computer, and it said it was recovering my D drive for some reason. It got stuck at 99% and never finished for about 2 hours. I power-cycled it, but it doesn’t show up on my boot options in my BIOS. So I used a new M.2 SSD with Windows installed. But it doesn’t allow me to copy my stuff over. So how do I recover data from SSD that won’t boot? Thanks.

       -A user from Tom’s Hardware

Please don’t because feasible fixes make it possible to recover files from SSD that won’t boot.

recover-files-from-ssd-that-wont-boot

When it comes to possible reasons regarding unbootable SSDs, there’re several factors. If your SSD serves as the local disk C drive that stores your boot partition, and you’ve accidentally deleted boot partition in Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 PCs, this SSD drive definitely won’t boot. Not to mention recovering data from your unbootable SSD.

Apart from that, the SSD itself may be problematic. For example, outdated or corrupted SSD firmware, damaged file systems, etc. In these cases, you need to recover data from dead or failing SSDs.

How to recover data from SSD that won’t boot?

As stated earlier, a lack of a boot partition is the most probable reason for an unbootable PC. Let’s perform how to recover data from SSD that won’t boot.

Way 1. Make a bootable USB media to recover files from SSD that won’t boot

At this point, please use this powerful and free AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to create bootable USB media. Then change the boot order from your bootable USB drive. Without deletion, you can get your desired data from this SSD drive directly.   

Notes:✎...
If the budget allows, you’re supposed to use a new USB drive because this process can format all the USB data.
Prepare another working PC.
Download Demo Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Step 1. Download and install the free AOMEI Partition Assistant demo version on another working PC. Connect your USB to it, then click Make bootable media > Next.

make-bootable-media

Step 2. Select “USB Boot Device” and click “Proceed” to begin the pending operation.

choose-usb-drive

Step 3. Click the “Yes” button to begin the process.

make-nootable-media-warning

Step 4. After connecting your bootable USB media to your unbootable computer, enter its BIOS.

Step 5. In BIOS, locate the Boot menu and look for the Boot Sequence.

Step 6. Alter the bootable order from your bootable USB media.

Step 7. Press F10 to confirm that your PC will boot from the bootable USB media.

bios-boot

Way 2. Recover deleted files SSD via data recovery software

For a higher SSD data recovery rate, please disable TRIM first with the following steps because activated TRIM can cause more problematic issues after data loss.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar and choose Run as administrator. Then type “fustil behavior query disabledeletenotify” in the windows and press “OK” or hit “Enter” to go on.

ssd-fustil-behavior-query-disabledeletenotify

Step 2. Wait to see the return data. If the return data is 1, which implies Trim is activated. If the return data is 0, which implies Trim is disabled.

Step 3. To disable it, please type “fustil behavior disabledeletenotify 0” in the window.      

If you’ve deleted files from your solid-state drive, you also need to recover deleted files from SSD after booting your PC. And there’s no better way than using professional Windows data recovery software like MyRecover to recover deleted & missing files from your SSDs.

Let’s get an overview of its powerful features & friendly design below.
Powerful features: Recover deleted & lost Word, Excel, PPT, folders, compressed files, photos, songs, videos, audio, websites, and other 200+ file types from SSD, HDD, USB, etc.
Easy-to-find: Quick Scan and Deep Scan can find your deleted & missing files as many as possible. You can also quickly locate your desired files by Filename, Path, Date, Size, etc.
Convenient: Get deleted files’ original Paths, Filenames, and Format after recovery.   
Excellent compatibility: Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems and be compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server PC.

The sooner you begin SSD data recovery via MyRecover, the better chances you’ll have.

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Step 1. Connect the SSD to another bootable PC to make it work like an external hard drive, install and run MyRecover,  and then hover the mouse over your SSD drive and click Scan.

external-hard-drive-start-scan

Step 2. Filter your needed data according to Name, Date, Document Type, or Path.

  • Name: Type the filenames of your desired files to narrow the search area.
  • Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, and so on) according to your situation.
  • Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, etc) based on your needs.

external-hard-drive-scanning

Step 3. Go to the Deleted Files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder and select the data you want. Then click “Recover x files” to begin the SSD data recovery process.

external-hard-drive-recover-files

  • After recovery, please remember to save these retrieved files in a new saved path.
  • To recover a large number of deleted & missing files from your hard drives, please consider upgrading MyRecover to the Professional or Technician edition.

Other ways to recover data from dead or failing SSDs

As mentioned above, SSD issues can also prevent laptop computers from booting. Then your SSD will become dead, fail, or crash. If you desire to recover data from dead SSD, you’ve come to the right place. Please read on.

Fix 1. Use the Power Cycle way

Power cycling could give you a hand if your SSD drive becomes corrupt or fails because of power failure.

Step 1. Unplug your SSD’s data cable > leave the power on for at least 30 minutes > and turn off the power for 30 seconds.

Step 2. Reconnect the power for 30 minutes > turn it off again for 30 seconds > and reconnect the data cable.

Fix 2. Update SSD firmware via Device Manager

In some cases, your SSD firmware has been damaged if it cannot boot. It’s unsurprising why there’s no data to recover detected. Please refer to the following steps to update your SSD firmware.

Step 1. Press “Win + X” and open Device Manager by clicking it.

device-manager

Step 2. Go to Disk drives and expand it. Then right-click on your SSD drive and select the “Properties” button.

right-click-ssd-properties

Step 3. Under the Details tab, select Hardware Ids > click OK to save these changes.

choose-details-hardware-ids

Fix 3. Fix corrupted file systems of SSD via AOMEI Partition Assistant

Sometimes, an unknown file system error can cause your SSD to become corrupted/fail. Although the powerful CHKDSK command is good at repairing corrupted file systems, most users have no idea about CMD.

So why not reuse the previously downloaded partition manager software, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to check your SSD drive and fix errors?  

Step 1. After entering the main interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard, right-click on your selected SSD. Then click Advanced > Check Partition.

advanced-check-partition

Step 3. Select Check Partition and fix errors in this partition by using chkdsk.exe > click OK. Please select the last option if your solid-state drive is in RAW format.

check-partition-and-fix-errors

Please remember to click “OK” to exit this window.

Fix 4. Format SSD drives via Disk Management

If the file system of your solid-state drive cannot work with your current Windows OS, you can set a compatible file system via the Disk Management utility according to your needs. This fix also can help you recover data from SSD not detected.

Step 1. Type “Disk Management” in the search bar and open it.

Step 2. After seeing all the partitions, right-click on the unformatted partition and select the “Format” option.

disk-management-format

If you prefer an easier fix, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard also can work for you.

In the end

How to recover data from SSD that won’t boot? After reading this article, you can figure out the possible reasons for unbootable SSD drives and find the corresponding methods to solve this issue.

Undeniably, no one wants to suffer the second damage. To protect your solid-state drive, you’re recommended to make regular file, partition, disk, or system backups using this free Windows backup software.

Penny
Penny · Editor
Penny works as an editor at AOMEI Technology, while she's a tester and editor for AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. She enjoys helping users with data recovery issues on Windows and iPhones using simple and practical solutions. Outside of work, she has a strong affection for pets, particularly giant pandas.