Dead, snapped, asking to be formatted, or can’t recognise it? We recover your data from all kinds of USB devices: Kingston, SanDisk, Integral, Samsung, etc. We fix damaged connectors by soldering them back on and retrieve your files direct from the chips (even monolithic ones).
If your USB stick is physically damaged; dead; recognised but asking you to format; or overheating then do not continue to try using it. If your connector is bent and broken, it may create a short circuit which will damage the internal memory chip where your data resides. Similarly, if your USB stick’s controller fails this problem will worsen with each subsequent use. Do not format your USB stick. Do not attempt to run recovery software. Do not glue the connector back together; simply store it safely and ship it to us. The fewer things you do to it after it stops working, the better our chances of recovering some of your data.
These are the most common causes of failure that we recover from: physical (the snap/damage to the connector); controller failure (where the computer cannot see the USB stick as it should); NAND (chip failure within the USB stick); and logical errors (errors caused by file system corruption).
We recover every type and brand of USB sticks (USB-A & USB-C) and flash drives including: standard, monolithic, encrypted, current and old. Although we know what makes one USB different from another, in most cases, it does not determine if we will be able to save your files.
Including USB-A and USB-C sticks · standard, monolithic and chip-on-board drives · TSOP and BGA NAND · SanDisk Cruzer and Ultra · Kingston DataTraveler · Samsung BAR and Fit · keyring, nano and encrypted drives.
When we begin recovering files from a damaged USB drive, we first check the connector. If the connector has been damaged or destroyed, we will repair the damaged area and reach the memory chip(s). Once we have reached the memory chip(s), we can then read directly off the chip(s) as opposed to using the USB’s controller, which was unable to complete this task. After reading the data from the memory chip(s), we can then rebuild your original files.
Please tell us what went wrong: dropped and cracked, wouldn’t connect to a computer any more, prompting you to format, got wet in the rain… etc. Upon receiving this information from you, we can assess what type of failure occurred and provide you with a detailed written quote based upon our assessment. Most quotes take less than 48 hours to create after receiving your device.
Most commonly damaged are a connection on the USB or the board. We solder the connection back together (if necessary), rebuild the torn pads on the circuit board, and have the drive communicating again.
When you have failure in the controller, or when the firmware was corrupted, we will use a method to bypass the controller and map out how your files were originally laid out across the memory.
If we cannot repair the board and/or the drive is monolithic, we will read the data from the NAND flash memory directly off the chip(s) and/or their test points. There is a 50% deposit required for this type of recovery.
Once we can communicate with the memory, we create a read-only image of everything that resides within, by using low-stress methods to read the weak areas of the NAND flash so as to not cause additional stress to the memory.
Once we create an image of your disk, we rebuild your file system, and then recover your files/folders. In addition, we also attempt to recover data from damaged/worn sections of the disk which could otherwise be unrecoverable.
We will either ship your recovered data back to you on a new drive or provide you access to download your recovered data free via an internet connection for up to 75 GB.
We also recover all makes/models of USB sticks and flash drives (SanDisk, Kingston, Integral and the rest); we repair broken connections and read directly from the memory, even to those where there are no separate boards.
Tell us what happened and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.
We will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
One set price for recovering one (1) USB stick/flash drive, with a complimentary diagnostic and a written quotation prior to starting any work.
A list of some recent recoveries, representing damage to USB sticks/flash drives including snapped connectors, dead controllers, and corruption. Results confirmed, names removed.
The connector has snapped off. We have re-attached the connector with soldering. We also rebuilt the pads that support the connector and were able to recover all of the files.
The controller has failed. We have connected around the dead controller. We have been able to connect directly to the NAND and recovered all of the data.
There has been some type of firmware failure that has hidden the data from us. We have established connection again through the controller. We have successfully made an image of the drive.
The board is corroding, however the memory has survived. We cleaned and repaired the damaged area. Once completed we were able to recover nearly all of the data.
This is due to a corrupted file system (and not the physical hardware). We made an image of the corrupted device in read-only mode. We then rebuilt a new file system based upon this image and recovered all of the files.
There were no chips to remove, but there were available test points for reading out the memory. We have located these test points and built a method to read directly into the memory. We then rebuilt the necessary information.
All reviews posted on this website are based upon real customer responses; none have been created by us.
No invented reviews here — every testimonial we publish is genuine. Ask us to arrange a reference for a job like yours on 0117 332 1137.
Send us your device for a no-obligation free diagnostic and let us know what went wrong. One of our engineers will inspect it and confirm your exact quote in writing prior to doing any work.
To get started with recovering your data, first get your device to us. Wrap it securely, write your contact details on a slip of paper inside the package, include a brief description of what happened and post it to us. After running a complimentary diagnostic we will write to you confirming the exact price prior to starting work.
Do you want to post the device to us? We highly recommend using a trackable postal service with insurance. Would you prefer to deliver it yourself? That’s fine too. Our office hours for accepting deliveries are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Please make sure to wrap the device as described previously.
Need some additional information regarding our data recovery services? Fill out the form and provide further detail about your problem and one of our engineers will review it and offer you a personalised quote.
We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.
The questions we receive most often about recovering a USB stick / flash drive.
Yes, this is typically the case. And, in fact, soldering a broken connector back onto a flash drive or repairing damaged contact pads that connect the memory chip are among the most common repairs we perform for our customers. In nearly every instance, where the USB connection has failed (broken or snapped), the actual flash memory inside remains intact. We can also read the memory chip directly and recover your files.
It’s the controller or firmware that has failed and therefore the drive will not mount; the information on the drive (the files) are still present. We simply need to get past this error message by accessing the controller and then image the drive and recover your lost files from the memory chip (drive).
Often, yes. A “USB device not recognised” is typically an issue related to either a failed controller or damage to a connection point, but the NAND flash containing your data is usually fine. Therefore, we will attempt to fix or bypass these issues and provide you with your recovered files.
Yes, surprisingly often. Water damage does indeed surprise many users as they believe their flash drive would be destroyed completely by water. In reality, the memory chips inside most flash drives are resilient and even if corrosion occurs on the boards within the drive, your data should remain intact. Our process for recovering your data includes cleaning and drying the drive; repairing the board(s); and finally, retrieving your data from the memory chips. Please do not attempt to dry out your flash drive by connecting it to a computer or other source of power.
Our recovery service charges a flat rate of £250 + VAT to recover a single flash drive (i.e., USB stick). We also offer a complimentary diagnostic review which will provide you with a detailed written quote of our costs prior to commencing any actual recovery efforts. We have made it easy for customers by charging a 50% deposit for repairs requiring connector, board or chip-level repair services, leaving only the remaining balance of the cost due upon successful completion of your data recovery job, so if we cannot recover your data, you will not be charged the full amount. In most cases you only pay if we recover your data.
On most occasions, yes. When providing repair services requiring connector, board or chip-level repairs, we require a 50% deposit upfront for such work, and will only charge the remainder of the fee after successfully completing your data recovery job, so if we can’t, you are not left with the full bill.
Often, yes. This is true; unlike solid-state disks (SSDs), USB flash drives generally do not overwrite deleted data immediately. Thus, deleted and formatted files are frequently still available until something else writes new data onto those areas of the stick. Therefore, please stop using the flash drive immediately, and call us; the quicker you contact us, the higher likelihood of success for our data recovery technicians.
All brands including SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung, Integral, Verbatim, PNY, Lexar, Corsair, Transcend, etc. (both traditional USB-A and newer USB-C devices) and standard, monolithic and encrypted storage solutions. The brand rarely affects whether the data can be recovered.
For both questions, no. Software for data recovery cannot repair a bad connection, bad controller or damaged flash memory. It could even cause further problems when attempting to run it on a dying device. Please do not glue back a severed connector; you will find that this makes an easier repair very difficult. Take care of the device and have it sent in.
Small, modern USB sticks often consist of a single solid piece (monolithic), where there is no separation between the memory and controller, making it impossible to simply remove individual chips. These newer devices are also harder to work on and while they are typically still possible to recover from, we generally have to locate the test points and read the memory directly. Only actual damage to one of the memory chips themselves would prevent successful recovery.
You may drop off your device at our office in Bristol Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. Alternatively, you can ship it to us fully insured. The best way to prepare your device to be shipped would be to place it in a small box or a padded envelope, seal it and provide your contact information inside the package, including your name and address along with your phone number and email address so we can book you in. We will complete the free diagnostic and send you a written quote prior to doing any work.
A free diagnostic, a fixed £250 + VAT per device, and in most cases you only pay if we recover your data. We recover every type of USB stick and flash drive regardless of manufacturer, including those with broken connections. Begin your recovery now.