SSD recovery guide · September 2026

How to Recover Data from Formatted SSD? Recovery Methods that Work

Formatting does not always mean the files are gone, but SSD recovery has a nasty complication: TRIM may clear deleted blocks before software can read them. Stop using the drive, then choose the least risky method below.

By Pjirc Blog Editorial Team Published · Updated
Quick answer

Stop all writes to the formatted SSD, including app installs, downloads, plus operating-system use. If the drive is healthy, connect it to another computer, scan the full physical device with Disk Drill, preview the results, then recover files onto a different drive.

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Do not format the SSD again, reinstall the operating system, create a new partition, or recover files back onto it. SSDs may process TRIM commands after formatting, which can make deleted blocks return zeros. If the drive disconnects, overheats, or disappears from BIOS, power it off.

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Which Formatted SSD Recovery Method Fits Your Situation?

These percentages are rough triage estimates, not guarantees. TRIM, encryption, later writes, plus SSD health can change the result sharply.

Method Best for Time Success rate
1. Scan the Formatted SSD With Disk Drill TRY FIRST Healthy SSD after a quick format ~15–90 min ● 65%
2. Scan a Byte-to-Byte Image of the SSD Readable but unstable SSD ~1–8 hr ● 55%
3. Restore the SSD From an Existing Backup Recent local or cloud copies ~10–60 min ● 95%
4. Check for a Missing Volume or Wrong SSD Partition confusion or wrong-device mistakes ~10–30 min ● 40%
5. Send the SSD to a Data Recovery Lab Dead, unstable, or critical SSD ~3–14 days ● 60%

When Software Cannot Recover a Formatted SSD

Recovery apps need the SSD to return readable data. They cannot reconstruct blocks that TRIM has cleared, decrypt data without the required key, or read through a controller that no longer exposes the NAND correctly.

A scan that finds thousands of filenames is not automatically a win. Open previews from several folders, especially large photos, archives, videos, plus documents. Empty previews, repeated corruption, or files filled with zeros usually point to overwritten or trimmed content.

How Formatting Type Changes SSD Recovery Chances

A quick format usually rebuilds file-system structures without deliberately writing across every user-data block. That sounds promising, but an SSD may receive TRIM instructions for the released space. Garbage collection can then clear those blocks while the drive sits powered on.

A full format, secure erase, operating-system reinstall, or heavy reuse presents a worse case. Recovery odds also drop when BitLocker, FileVault, hardware encryption, or a lost encryption key is involved.

Top 5 Methods to Recover Data From a Formatted SSD

01

Scan the Formatted SSD With Disk Drill

Best first attempt for a healthy SSD after a quick format

~15–90 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Disk Drill plus a second drive
Works for Windows, Mac

A quick format may leave recoverable file-system records or recognizable file content behind. Disk Drill can scan the SSD, preview its findings, then save selected files to a different device.

  1. Stop using the formatted SSD. If it contains your operating system, shut down the computer rather than installing software on that SSD.
  2. Install Disk Drill on another internal drive, an external drive, or a separate computer.
  3. Connect the formatted SSD, open Disk Drill, then select the entire physical device rather than only a displayed volume.
  4. Click Search for lost data. Let the full scan finish, even if useful files appear early.
  5. Filter the results by file type, date, size, or name. Preview several important files to check whether their contents are intact.
  6. Select the files, click Recover, then choose a different physical drive as the destination.
Disk Drill Review ↗
i A file that previews correctly is a better candidate than one that merely appears by name, though no preview guarantees a perfect recovery.
Open the Disk Drill website
02

Scan a Byte-to-Byte Image of the SSD

Safer when the SSD disconnects, freezes, or reports read errors

~1–8 hr
Difficulty Moderate
You need A healthy drive with enough free space
Works for Readable internal or external SSDs

An image captures readable sectors in one pass, so later scans do not keep stressing the original SSD. This route needs free storage at least as large as the source device.

  1. Prepare a healthy destination drive with free space equal to or greater than the SSD's full capacity.
  2. Connect the SSD directly where possible. Avoid a loose cable, an unpowered hub, or an unreliable adapter.
  3. Open Disk Drill's backup tool, select the physical SSD, then create a byte-to-byte backup on the healthy destination drive.
  4. Leave the computer awake until imaging finishes. If read errors rise quickly or the SSD repeatedly disappears, stop the process.
  5. Detach the original SSD after the image is created, then load or mount the image in Disk Drill.
  6. Scan the image, preview the findings, then recover selected files to a separate folder or drive.
i Do not repeatedly restart imaging when a failing SSD vanishes. Each power cycle may reduce the time available for professional recovery.
Read about Disk Drill features
03

Restore the SSD From an Existing Backup

The cleanest option when a recent copy already exists

~10–60 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Backup drive or cloud account
Works for Any formatted SSD with a valid backup

A backup avoids the uncertainty caused by TRIM, overwriting, or damaged file-system records. Check several backup sources before paying for software or opening the SSD enclosure.

  1. List the folders that matter most, such as tax records, current projects, photos, browser exports, or password-vault copies.
  2. Check File History, Windows Backup, Time Machine, NAS snapshots, external drives, plus any manufacturer backup utility you used.
  3. Sign in to cloud services such as OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or a photo-library account.
  4. Open each service's deleted-items area plus version history. Synced deletion may have moved files to an online trash folder.
  5. Restore a small sample first, then open it to confirm the files are usable.
  6. Restore the remaining data to a healthy drive. Keep the formatted SSD untouched until you verify that nothing is missing.
i A backup from last week may still be more useful than a damaged recovery from today, especially for databases or large project files.
04

Check for a Missing Volume or Wrong SSD

Useful when the format changed a partition rather than erasing the expected device

~10–30 min
Difficulty Moderate
You need Disk Management or Disk Utility
Works for Partition mistakes or enclosure mix-ups

People sometimes format a small partition, select the wrong external SSD, or mistake an unmounted volume for lost data. A read-only inspection can reveal that the expected files are still on another volume or device.

  1. Write down the SSD model, serial number, plus its exact capacity before changing any storage settings.
  2. On Windows, open Disk Management. On Mac, open Disk Utility, then choose Show All Devices.
  3. Compare every physical device by model plus capacity. Look for an intact volume, an unexpected second partition, or a device without a drive letter.
  4. If an intact Windows volume merely lacks a drive letter, assign one only after confirming its size plus file system. On Mac, try mounting an intact listed volume.
  5. If the expected partition is missing, do not create a new volume, initialize the SSD, run CHKDSK, erase it again, or change its partition map.
  6. Return to a recovery scan of the whole physical SSD, not just the newly formatted volume.
i This method is inspection, not repair. Writing a fresh partition table can overwrite evidence that recovery software needs.
05

Send the SSD to a Data Recovery Lab

The right move for hardware trouble or irreplaceable files

~3–14 days
Difficulty Easy to request
You need A qualified recovery lab
Works for Dead, encrypted, or unstable SSDs

Software cannot scan an SSD that no longer identifies correctly or cannot stay connected. A lab may work with controller faults, damaged circuitry, firmware trouble, or failing NAND, though success is never assured.

  1. Power off the SSD if it is missing from BIOS, shows the wrong capacity, overheats, disconnects repeatedly, or causes the computer to freeze.
  2. Do not open the casing, move NAND chips, update firmware, or try internet repair tricks on the only copy of valuable data.
  3. Contact two or three established labs. Describe the format, later SSD use, encryption status, symptoms, plus every recovery attempt already made.
  4. Ask whether evaluation is free, whether pricing is fixed after diagnosis, what happens if recovery fails, plus how recovered data will be returned.
  5. Confirm the lab has SSD-specific experience with the controller or manufacturer involved.
  6. Pack the SSD in an antistatic bag with firm padding, then use tracked shipping. Keep the serial number plus shipment photos.
i If the files affect a lawsuit, business operation, medical record, or one-time event, stop DIY attempts sooner rather than later.

Which Formatted SSD Recovery Method Should You Use?

For a healthy drive that was quick-formatted, scanning the whole SSD with Disk Drill is the most practical first attempt. Create a byte-to-byte image first if the drive behaves unpredictably, while a recent backup should take priority whenever one exists.

Skip home software if the SSD is not detected correctly, keeps dropping offline, or stores truly irreplaceable material. A recovery lab costs more, though repeated DIY scans can cost you the remaining readable data.

Top pick Disk Drill
Keep the formatted SSD powered off until your second drive, recovery software, plus destination folder are ready, then make one careful recovery attempt.

Formatted SSD Recovery Questions

Can you recover data from a formatted SSD?
Yes, recovery is sometimes possible if the SSD has not been heavily used since the format. Success depends on whether TRIM ran, how much new data was written, and whether the format was quick or full.
What is the first thing I should do after formatting my SSD by mistake?
Stop using the drive right away to avoid overwriting recoverable data. Do not install software, save files, or boot from that SSD until you have a recovery plan.
Does Quick Format on an SSD erase data forever?
Not always, but on many SSDs TRIM can clear blocks soon after formatting, which makes recovery much harder. If you act fast, you still may be able to recover some files before the controller wipes the old data.
How do I recover files from a formatted SSD on Windows?
Connect the SSD as a secondary drive, then scan it with a recovery tool from another drive or PC. Save recovered files to a different disk so you do not overwrite the SSD you are trying to restore.
Can I recover data from a formatted SSD without software?
Usually no, not for a normal user. If the files matter, a recovery tool or a professional lab is the realistic path after a format.
Which recovery method works best after an SSD format?
The best method is imaging the SSD first, then scanning the image with recovery software. That approach reduces extra writes to the SSD, which is important because every new write can reduce your chances.
Should I use CHKDSK after formatting an SSD?
No, not if your goal is recovery. CHKDSK can write to the drive, change file system metadata, or make recovery harder.
Can TRIM prevent SSD data recovery?
Yes, TRIM can make recovery impossible for trimmed blocks. If your SSD uses TRIM, the sooner you stop using it, the better your odds are.
Is a full format on an SSD worse than a quick format for recovery?
Yes, a full format usually gives you far less to recover because it writes across more of the drive. A quick format is often more recoverable, especially if you act immediately.
How do I tell if my SSD supports TRIM?
On Windows, open Command Prompt as admin, then run `fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify`. If the result is `0`, TRIM is enabled for that file system.
What files are most likely to be recovered from a formatted SSD?
Recently deleted documents, photos, videos, plus files stored in untouched blocks are the best candidates. Heavily fragmented files are harder to rebuild because the pieces may be scattered or already cleared.
Can I recover a formatted SSD after reinstalling Windows on it?
Sometimes, but the reinstall likely overwrote a lot of data, which cuts recovery chances. If the SSD was used for the new install, focus on recently lost files that may still exist in older blocks.
What is the safest way to scan a formatted SSD for recovery?
Make a sector-by-sector image first, then scan that image instead of the original SSD. If imaging is not possible, use a read-only recovery approach from a different system.
How much does professional SSD recovery cost?
It varies based on the damage, encryption, plus whether the controller or NAND chips need specialized work. Simple logical recovery is usually less expensive than lab-level chip recovery, so get a quote before approving service.
Are free data recovery tools worth trying on a formatted SSD?
Yes, if the format was recent, the drive has not been used much, plus the files are not mission-critical. For an SSD with TRIM already active, free tools may find little or nothing, but they are still a reasonable first test.
What should I avoid doing after formatting an SSD?
Do not install recovery software onto that SSD, do not copy new files to it, plus do not run cleanup or optimization tools. Also avoid defragmenting an SSD because it creates unnecessary writes.
When should I give up on DIY SSD recovery and call a pro?
Call a professional if the SSD contains encrypted business data, the drive is physically failing, or the files are irreplaceable. If the drive has already been reused a lot after the format, a lab may be your only real option.