USB Drive Data Recovery Services
When your critical data is trapped in a failed USB flash drive, trust Fixfactor’s expert team to recover your files with specialized techniques and advanced technology.
USB Drive Recovery Expertise
We specialize in recovering data from all types of USB flash drives, regardless of the failure type
Logical Failures
Recovery from corrupted file systems, accidental formatting, deleted files, and other software-related issues on USB drives.
Physical Damage
Recovery from broken USB connectors, cracked or damaged flash drives, and devices with severe physical damage.
Controller Failures
Recovery from USB drives with failed controller chips, unrecognized devices, or drives that won’t initialize properly.
Chip-Off Recovery
Advanced recovery directly from NAND flash memory chips when other components have failed beyond repair.
Water Damage
Specialized recovery for USB drives exposed to water or other liquids, including corrosion treatment.
Memory Card Recovery
Recovery services for SD cards, microSD cards, CompactFlash, and other memory card formats with data loss issues.
Service Priority Levels
Choose the turnaround time that meets your needs for USB drive data recovery
Our USB Drive Recovery Process
A transparent, step-by-step approach to recovering your valuable data from flash drives
Initial Consultation
Contact us with details about your USB drive, problem symptoms, and urgency level. We’ll provide an initial assessment and price estimate based on your description of the issue.
Diagnostics
Bring or send your USB flash drive to our Wimbledon or Oxford Street location. Our technicians will perform a thorough assessment using specialized equipment to identify the exact cause of failure.
Detailed Quote
Within an agreed timeframe (typically 1-3 days depending on your urgency level), we’ll provide a comprehensive report outlining the issue, recovery chances, and precise costs.
Recovery Procedure
Our specialists use advanced tools like PC-3000 Flash and chip-reading equipment to safely recover your data. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.
Data Verification
Once recovery is complete, we’ll provide a file listing and snapshot of recovered files for your review. You can verify that your critical files are intact before finalizing the service.
Safe Data Return
We’ll transfer your recovered data to a secure storage medium of your choice. For security, we keep a backup for just 7 days unless you request immediate deletion.
Why Choose Fixfactor For USB Drive Recovery
London’s trusted flash drive data recovery experts since 2014
Specialized Equipment
Advanced tools including PC-3000 Flash, NAND chip readers, and micro-soldering stations specifically designed for USB drive and memory card recovery.
Expert Engineers
Certified specialists with extensive training in flash memory architecture, chip-level repairs, and data reconstruction techniques for all types of flash storage.
Secure Process
Your data handled with highest security standards using encrypted storage and secure facilities with strict access controls and CCTV monitoring.
No Recovery, No Fee
If we cannot recover your data, you only pay the £39 diagnostic fee. Full costs apply only when we successfully retrieve your files.
Fast Turnaround
Standard service: 5-10+ days, Priority: 3-5 days, Emergency: as little as 24 hours for critical situations requiring immediate data access.
Proven Track Record
Over 1000 positive reviews with a 4.9/5 rating on Google and Trustpilot – our expertise in flash memory recovery has helped many of clients.
Common USB Drive Failure Scenarios
We can recover your data from most USB flash drive failure situations
Not Recognized by Computer
Recovery when your USB drive isn’t detected by any computer or shows up as an unknown device requiring formatting.
- Computer doesn’t detect drive at all
- Drive appears but with 0MB capacity
- Windows requests formatting
- Drive shows as unknown device
- LED light works but no access
Physical Damage
Recovery from drives with broken USB connectors, cracked casings, or other visible physical damage.
- Broken USB connector
- Cracked casing or PCB
- Drive damaged by impact
- Bent or damaged pins
- Components detached from PCB
Logical Errors
Recovery when your drive is detected but shows errors, corrupted files, or you’ve accidentally deleted important data.
- Accidentally formatted drive
- Deleted critical files
- “File system corrupted” errors
- Files appear but won’t open
- RAW file system errors
Liquid & Environmental Damage
Specialized recovery for USB drives exposed to water, heat, or other harsh environmental conditions.
- Drive exposed to water/liquids
- Drive left in extreme heat
- Drive with visible corrosion
- Drive exposed to magnetic fields
- Drive damaged by static electricity
USB Drive Recovery Case Studies
Real examples of successful USB flash drive data recovery projects
SanDisk Extreme USB Drive Broken Connector Recovery
A marketing executive contacted us in distress after accidentally breaking the connector off his SanDisk Extreme USB drive when removing it from his laptop. The drive contained critical presentation files for a major client pitch scheduled just days away, with no recent backup available.
The Challenge
The USB connector had been completely severed from the circuit board, taking some of the PCB traces with it. This made a standard connector replacement impossible, as several connection points were damaged beyond repair.
Our Solution
Using our specialized micro-soldering equipment, we created custom bypass connections directly to the controller chip. This delicate work required microscopic precision, but allowed us to establish a temporary connection to read the memory chips. We recovered 100% of the client’s presentation files within 3 days.
When I broke that USB connector, I thought I’d lost everything. Our entire client presentation was on that drive, and we had less than a week before the meeting. Fixfactor not only recovered every file, but did it quickly enough that we had time to rehearse the presentation. They literally saved our pitch and a major client relationship.
Kingston DataTraveler USB Drive Controller Failure Recovery
A PhD student came to us when his Kingston DataTraveler USB drive suddenly stopped working. The drive contained three years of academic research data and dissertation drafts. The drive would power on (LED light active) but was not recognized by any computer.
The Challenge
Our diagnostics revealed a failed USB controller chip – the component that manages communication between the computer and the flash memory. This meant that although the memory chips themselves were intact, there was no way to access the data through conventional methods.
Our Solution
Using our chip-off recovery techniques, we carefully removed the NAND flash memory chips from the PCB and read them directly using our specialized memory reader equipment. After identifying the memory architecture and reconstructing the data structure, we recovered 98% of the research data and all dissertation drafts.
Three years of research data that I thought was gone forever. I was devastated and had no idea how I would recreate my work. Fixfactor managed to recover everything – my dissertation drafts, research data, statistical analyses, everything I needed to complete my PhD. The team kept me informed throughout the process and explained everything in terms I could understand.
Lexar SD Card Water Damage Recovery
A professional wedding photographer contacted us in panic after accidentally dropping her Lexar Professional 128GB SD card into a puddle during a wedding shoot. The card contained all the photos from an entire wedding day with no backup, and the couple was expecting their photos within days.
The Challenge
The SD card had been submerged in dirty water, resulting in contamination and corrosion on the contact points. Any attempt to power the card in its current state risked causing a short circuit and permanently damaging the memory chips.
Our Solution
We used our emergency service to immediately clean the card with specialized solutions to neutralize and remove corrosion. After careful drying and testing of the circuits, we were able to safely establish a connection to the memory and recover 100% of the wedding photos, including RAW files and edited JPEGs.
When that SD card fell in the puddle, I literally felt sick. Those wedding photos were irreplaceable, and I had a bride and groom waiting to see their special day. Fixfactor’s emergency service was incredible – they recovered every single photo, including all my RAW files. The couple never even knew there was a problem, and I’ve since changed my workflow to include immediate backups!
Samsung USB-C Flash Drive Logical Recovery
A video editor contacted us after accidentally formatting his 256GB Samsung USB-C flash drive while working on a project. The drive contained original 4K footage and project files for a commercial due to a tight deadline, with no complete backup available.
The Challenge
The accidental format had destroyed the file system structure, and some new files had already been written to the drive. Standard recovery software had failed to recover the complete footage, especially the larger 4K video files which were fragmented across the drive.
Our Solution
Using our professional recovery tools and raw data analysis, we were able to identify and reconstruct the fragmented video files by analyzing their unique headers and data patterns. We recovered 95% of the original footage and all project files, allowing the editor to meet his deadline.
That moment when you realize you just formatted the wrong drive – absolute panic. The footage would have cost over £10,000 to reshoot, and we simply didn’t have the time. Fixfactor managed to recover all my project files and almost all the footage, including the critical scenes. Their expertise saved both the project and my professional reputation.
Corsair Flash Voyager Heat Damage Recovery
A small business owner contacted us after accidentally leaving his Corsair Flash Voyager in a hot car during a summer heatwave. Upon trying to access his files, the drive was recognized but showed corrupted data and eventually stopped responding altogether. The drive contained essential financial records and business documents.
The Challenge
High temperatures had damaged both the controller chip and caused some degradation to the NAND flash memory cells. The drive would intermittently connect but would disconnect during any attempt to read data, making conventional recovery impossible.
Our Solution
We used a combination of cooling techniques to stabilize the components long enough to clone the raw data. For the more severely damaged memory sections, we used specialized reconstruction algorithms to recover partial data. This combination of approaches allowed us to recover 90% of the critical financial records.
Those financial records represented years of business transactions and tax information. When the drive failed after being left in my car, I feared the worst. Fixfactor not only recovered most of my data but helped me set up a proper backup system to prevent future disasters. Their technical knowledge and honest approach made a stressful situation much easier to handle.
USB Drive Recovery FAQ
Common questions about our USB flash drive data recovery services
We can recover data from virtually all types of USB flash storage, including standard USB drives (all generations from 1.0 to 3.2), USB-C flash drives, all SD card formats (SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD), CompactFlash, Memory Stick, and other flash memory formats. We work with all major brands including SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung, Lexar, PNY, Corsair, and many more. Our expertise extends across all capacities from 2GB drives to the latest high-capacity 1TB+ flash storage devices.
USB flash drive recovery costs typically range from £99 to £550 depending on the type of failure, recovery complexity, and service speed required. Logical recoveries (no physical damage) typically start around £99-199, while physical damage or chip-off recoveries may cost £250-550. Emergency services add a premium for prioritized handling. After our free diagnosis, we’ll provide an exact quote with no hidden costs, and we only proceed with your approval. Remember, if we cannot recover your data, you only pay a £39 diagnostic fee.
If your USB drive is physically damaged (broken connector, cracked casing, etc.), it’s important to stop using it immediately. Do not attempt to repair it yourself or force it into a USB port, as this can cause additional damage to the internal components. Place the drive in a small anti-static bag or wrap it in aluminum foil, then place it in a sturdy container to prevent further damage during transport. Contact us as soon as possible – our specialized equipment and micro-soldering expertise can often recover data even from severely damaged drives.
Yes, in most cases we can recover data from formatted USB drives. When you format a drive, the file system structure is erased, but the actual data remains on the flash memory until it’s overwritten by new files. Our success rate depends on several factors: whether you’ve used the drive after formatting, what type of format was performed (quick vs. full), and how fragmented the original data was. For best results, stop using the drive immediately after accidental formatting and contact us – the more you use the drive after formatting, the more likely your original data will be overwritten and unrecoverable.
Our Standard service typically takes 5-10+ business days, Priority service reduces this to 3-5 days, and Emergency service can be completed in as little as 24 hours (subject to technical feasibility). The actual time depends on the failure type, recovery complexity, and the amount of data. Logical recoveries are generally faster, while physical damage requiring chip-off recovery may take longer. After diagnostics, we’ll provide a more accurate timeframe for your specific case. For urgent business or personal emergencies, our emergency service puts your recovery at the top of our priority list.
We maintain an overall success rate of approximately 90-95% for USB flash drive recovery. This rate varies based on the failure type – logical failures typically have higher success rates (95-98%), while severe physical damage or cases where the NAND memory chips themselves are damaged might have lower rates (80-90%). Our diagnostic process will give you a realistic assessment of recovery chances before you commit to the full service. Even in challenging cases, we often recover at least partial data that might include your most critical files.
We strongly advise against DIY recovery attempts on failed USB drives. While software recovery tools can sometimes help with simple logical issues on fully-functioning drives, they can worsen the situation for physically damaged or unstable drives. Common DIY methods like opening the drive casing, attempting to solder broken connectors, or using inappropriate software can cause permanent data loss. USB flash drives are particularly delicate – improper handling can damage the NAND memory chips or controller, making professional recovery difficult or impossible. If your data is valuable, contact us immediately rather than experimenting with DIY solutions.
Get USB Flash Drive Recovery Quote
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