How to Recover Data from External Drive? Losing data from an external drive can be stressful—whether it’s personal photos, office files, or business backups. The good news is that in many cases, data can be recovered using the right tools or professional services.
Below is a complete guide covering recovery services, tools, comparisons, causes, prevention tips, backup strategies, and FAQs.
Table of Contents
Data Recovery Services
When software recovery doesn’t work (especially in physical damage cases), professional data recovery services are the safest option.
Types of Data Recovery Services
| Service Type | Description | Best For | Success Rate | Cost Range |
| In-Lab Recovery | Cleanroom recovery by hardware specialists | Physically damaged drives | Very High | $300–$2000 |
| Remote Recovery | The technician connects remotely to recover files | Logical errors, accidental deletion | Moderate to High | $100–$500 |
| Emergency Recovery | Priority service (24–48 hours) | Business-critical data | High | $800–$3000 |
| On-Site Recovery | The technician visits your location | Corporate servers & RAID | High | Custom Pricing |
Data Recovery Pricing Overview
| Recovery Complexity | Problem Type | Estimated Cost | Time Required |
| Basic | Deleted files, formatted drive | $100–$400 | 1–3 days |
| Moderate | Corrupted partitions, OS errors | $300–$800 | 2–5 days |
| Advanced | Firmware damage, bad sectors | $800–$1500 | 5–10 days |
| Severe | Water/fire damage, head crash | $1500 | 7–14 days |
Comparisons Between External Drives
| Feature | HDD | SSD | USB Flash Drive | Portable HDD |
| Speed | Moderate | Very Fast | Variable | Moderate |
| Durability | Medium | High (no moving parts) | Medium | Medium |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years | 5–10 years | 2–5 years | 3–5 years |
| Storage Capacity | Very High | High | Low–Medium | High |
| Cost per GB | Low | Higher | Moderate | Low |
| Best For | Bulk storage | Fast backups & editing | Portability | Travel storage |
Tools to Recover Data from an External Drive
Here are trusted recovery tools:
- Recuva—Good for simple deleted file recovery
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard—User-friendly with deep scan
- Disk Drill – Advanced recovery & partition recovery
- Wondershare Recoverit—Strong recovery for media files
- TestDisk—Open-source partition recovery tool
- PhotoRec—File carving tool for damaged drives
Common Causes of Data Loss on External Drives
Below is the breakdown (as shown in the pie chart):
- Hardware Failure—35%
- Accidental Deletion – 25%
- Virus/Malware—15%
- File Corruption – 15%
- Power Surges – 10%
These issues can result from improper ejection, aging drives, malware attacks, or sudden shutdowns.
Preventing Future Data Loss on External Drives
To reduce risks:
- Always eject the drive safely
- Avoid unplugging during file transfer
- Use a surge protector
- Keep the drive away from moisture
- Run antivirus scans regularly
- Monitor drive health (SMART status)
- Avoid physical shocks and drops
Backup Strategies to Protect Your External Drive Data
Based on the graph strategy comparison:
1. Local Backup
- Backup to another external drive
- Fast recovery
- No internet needed
2. Cloud Backup
- Services like Google Drive and Dropbox
- Off-site protection
- Automatic syncing
3. Hybrid Backup (Recommended)
- Combination of local + cloud
- Highest protection level
- Ideal for businesses & professionals
Best Practice: Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
3 copies of data
2 different storage types
1 offsite backup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can deleted files be recovered?
A: Yes, if they haven’t been overwritten.
- How long does recovery take?
A: From a few minutes (software) to 2 weeks (physical damage).
- Is data recovery guaranteed?
A: No, success depends on damage severity.
- Can a dead external drive be fixed?
A: Logical issues can be fixed; physical damage requires experts.
- What if my drive is not recognized?
A: Try another USB port/cable, check Disk Management, or use recovery software.