Losing important data from your external hard drive can be an incredibly stressful experience. One of the most common causes of data loss on an external drive is dropping. So what to do when the dropped external hard drive is not working, and data is not accessible?
Fortunately, data recovery companies provide successful restoration of dropped drives. There are several steps to go through when your external hard drive is not working, so you can be prepared in the event of a data emergency. From troubleshooting the drive to sending it to a data recovery specialist, we will cover the most effective method for recovering your data.
Troubleshooting Your Dropped External Hard Drive
If you have dropped your external hard drive and it is not working, you will want to begin troubleshooting the drive. You can do a few things to try and determine the cause of the issue and whether the severe damage occurred.
- Try a Different Computer. If you plugged the drive into your computer and it did not work, try plugging it into a different appliance to see if the issue persists. If you have connected the drive to several appliances, you can test whether the problem is present on your external media or computer.
- Try Restarting the Computer. Before starting the recovery process of your dropped external hard drive, try restarting your computer. If it was just a loose connection, a restart might be all that is required to fix the issue.
- Try Unplugging Computer and Drive. If none of these steps resolve the issue, you can try unplugging your computer and the external drive while you attempt to connect them again. Sometimes, trying to plug something in while it is unplugged can fix the issue.
Why You Should Avoid DIY Data Recovery Options
While trying to recover data from your dropped external hard drive might seem like a good idea, it is not a safe option. Recovering data from a damaged drive is difficult, and even if you manage to do so, the process could take weeks or months and leave your drive even more damaged.
Many users try to use data recovery software on a dropped drive, but it will not help if the device is suffering physical damage. The program may restore deleted files only in case of a logical failure, and dropping is not.
If your drive has been dropped, it is likely broken beyond repair. A better option is to entrust your case to a professional recovery company. Engineers at a recovery company will open the drive in a controlled facility, safely restoring all the required data. Performing these actions at home will cause more harm than good to your device.
Professional Data Recovery Services
Hence, if none of the troubleshooting tips work, it is better to consider professional data recovery services. Data recovery services are extremely effective at recovering data from damaged external drives.
Due to the moving parts, hard disk drives are extremely fragile. If your external hard drive has been dropped, it is likely that it is beyond repair. All the components inside the drive, such as read/write heads, could be broken, so it is essential to treat the device carefully.
Data recovery services will attempt to recover your data from the drive and do everything to achieve the highest result. With all the advanced tools and modern recovery labs, engineers will effectively restore the data from it.
External Hard Drive Recovery with PITS Global
PITS Global Data Recovery Services provides a comprehensive set of data repair solutions for dropped external hard drives. Our team of experienced engineers uses the latest techniques to recover data from the most challenging situations.
We understand that dropped hard drives can cause significant disruption, so we work quickly and efficiently to ensure that all data is recovered as soon as possible.
The process begins with our engineers carefully examining the hard drive for any signs of physical damage. Following this, our experts set to work on creating a clone of the dropped drive to minimize the risk of further damage or potential data loss.
Once the cloning process has been completed, our technicians focus on recovering any files that may have been lost or corrupted due to dropping.
Depending on the extent of damage, they will utilize various advanced methods such as logical analysis, sub-sector retrieval, virtual reconstruction, and surface scanning.
Finally, once we have successfully recovered all available data from the external drive, we will restore it to another storage media or a cloud. All file systems, including FAT32/16/12, NTFS/EXFAT/ReFS, and HFS+, are supported by PITS’s expert team – meaning that you can be sure your valuable files will be secure and safe from future risks.
By the end of the process, we will provide a verification session to ensure that all your files have been successfully restored. As soon as a client approves the retrieved data, we will send them, deleting them from our servers completely.
Start your data recovery process with the PITS team by filling out the form below or calling our customer service line at 855.967.3984 We will gladly help you recover your valuable data from a dropped external hard drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does data recovery from a dropped external hard drive take?
Data recovery from a dropped external hard drive varies based on damage severity and recovery process complexity. Typically, the process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Consult the data recovery service for a more precise timeline based on your hard drive’s specific condition.
What influences data recovery success from a dropped external hard drive?
Factors affecting the success rate of data recovery include the extent of physical damage (such as damaged platters or heads), the length of time since the drop occurred, whether the drive was powered on after being dropped, and the specific data recovery techniques available. Professional recovery services can assess these factors to provide a more precise likelihood of successful recovery.
Can I recover data from a broken external hard drive?
Yes, data can often be retrieved from a broken external hard drive. However, the extent of recovery and success rate will depend on the drive’s specific condition and damage. It’s important to consult with a professional data recovery service for the best course of action.
What happens if my external hard drive breaks?
If your external hard drive breaks, the first step is to seek professional help from a data recovery service. They assess the damage to decide the best data recovery approach. Avoid DIY repairs to prevent further damage and improve recovery chances.
How do I know if my external hard drive is physically damaged?
A few signs indicate physical damage to an external hard drive. These include unusual noises (clicking, grinding, or beeping sounds), visible dents or cracks on the hard drive’s case, and failure to power on or be recognized by the computer. If you suspect your external hard drive is physically damaged, it’s best to consult with a professional data recovery service for assessment and potential recovery options.