Soldered SSD Data Recovery: How to Retrieve Data from onboard Drives

Onboard SSD recovery has become an increasingly important topic as modern laptops and tablets move toward ultra-slim designs with storage chips soldered directly onto the motherboard. This trend spans Windows ultrabooks, Microsoft Surface devices, MacBooks, and more. However, when those onboard solid-state drives (SSDs) fail or data is lost, recovering the information can be daunting. As a certified technician at Esmond Service Centre with years of IT repair and data recovery experience, I’ve seen firsthand how critical these cases can be. In this guide, we’ll demystify onboard SSD recovery – explaining why it’s challenging and providing practical, step-by-step solutions. Our aim is to empower you with knowledge while emphasizing when to seek professional help. You can trust these insights as Esmond Service Centre’s experts have successfully handled numerous soldered SSD scenarios, and we’re committed to helping you safeguard your data.

Onboard (soldered) SSDs are storage drives that are fused to the computer’s motherboard instead of being removable modules. Manufacturers solder SSDs to make devices thinner and cheaper, but this design immensely complicates data recovery because you can’t simply remove the drive and plug it into another machine. In other words, if the device itself won’t power on or recognize the drive, your data is essentially trapped on the board. Unlike a standard removable SSD, there’s no easy way for a consumer to detach a soldered SSD for direct access.

Why is this so challenging? First, without physical separation, any recovery attempt must work through the entire device. If your laptop still turns on, you may have a chance to retrieve data normally (more on that below). But if the SSD’s controller or the motherboard is dead, things get tough. In fact, experts note that if the SSD controller fails in a fully integrated setup, it can be nearly impossible to read the raw flash memory – no standard data recovery beyond logical software fixes will work. Additionally, some ultrathin devices incorporate encryption tied to the motherboard (for example, certain laptops and tablets use hardware encryption by default). This means even if you could desolder the memory chips, the data might be encrypted and unreadable without the original controller or keys. In summary, onboard SSDs bring convenience at the cost of serviceability. Recognizing this challenge is the first step toward finding a solution.

Key Tips: If you suspect an issue with a soldered SSD, avoid using the device further until you attempt recovery. Continued use could overwrite data (if files were accidentally deleted) or worsen hardware damage. Also, determine the nature of the problem – is it a logical issue (like accidental deletion or software corruption) or a physical failure? This will guide your recovery approach, as explained in the next sections.

If your device is still operational (i.e. it powers on and the SSD is at least detected), and your data loss is due to logical errors – such as accidental deletion, formatting, or software corruption – you can attempt a DIY onboard SSD recovery using software. This scenario assumes the SSD hardware is intact. Here’s how to proceed:

• Step 1: Stop Using the Device Immediately. Avoid writing new data to the internal SSD. When files are deleted or lost due to formatting, the data often remains on the drive until overwritten. Using the computer (especially installing recovery software on the same drive) can overwrite the very data you want to recover. If possible, work from a secondary device or an external boot drive. For example, you might create a bootable USB drive with recovery software or Windows/Linux live environment to run on the affected machine, so the internal SSD remains untouched for now.
  
  

• Step 2: Use a Reliable Data Recovery Program. Choose a reputable data recovery tool to scan the onboard SSD for lost files. There are many programs available that can handle accidental deletion, emptied recycle bin, or file system errors. These tools work by scanning the SSD’s free space for remnants of files and reconstructing them. Make sure to install the software on an external USB drive or run it in a portable mode, rather than installing on the internal SSD (to avoid overwriting data). Then perform a scan of the soldered SSD. Many tools offer quick scans for recently deleted files and deeper scans for formatted or corrupted partitions. The scanning process can take some time, especially on high-capacity SSDs.
  
  

• Step 3: Preview and Recover the Data. Once the scan completes, the software will list recoverable files. Utilize filtering features (by file type, name, date) to find critical files. Preview them if the tool allows, to verify integrity. Then select the files you need and recover them to a different storage location – for example, an external USB drive or external SSD. Do not save the recovered files back onto the same onboard SSD, as this could overwrite other recoverable data.
  
  

• Step 4: Verify Recovered Files. After recovery, open a few key files (documents, images, etc.) from the external drive to ensure they are not corrupted and indeed the latest versions you need. It’s better to catch any issues now; if something wasn’t recovered correctly, you might attempt another scan or try different software.

Why this works: In cases of logical data loss, the SSD’s hardware is fine – the data is just not accessible through normal means. Recovery software can read lower-level data on the drive that the operating system has marked as free or is unable to read. As long as the SSD is functioning and the data hasn’t been overwritten, there’s a good chance of retrieving files. Many users have successfully recovered photos, documents, and more from soldered SSDs using this method when the cause was accidental deletion or OS corruption. DIY tools are effective for these logical errors because they address the software side of data retrieval. However, remember that they cannot fix physical hardware problems or bypass encryption – if the drive is damaged or undetectable, software alone won’t help.

Caution: If at any point the computer cannot reliably read from the SSD (frequent crashes, I/O errors) or if the drive isn’t detected at all, stop the DIY attempt. Inconsistent reads could indicate impending hardware failure. In such cases, moving to professional methods (next section) is safer. Trying to repeatedly access a failing SSD could cause further deterioration.

When facing physical failure of a soldered SSD or the device won’t power on, professional data recovery is often the only viable path. Onboard SSD recovery in these cases requires specialized tools, skills, and often significant effort. Here’s what typically happens when you involve the professionals:

• Diagnosis and Device Assessment: A professional data recovery service will first evaluate the device to determine the failure point – whether it’s the SSD’s flash memory, the SSD controller, power circuitry on the motherboard, etc. This might involve using electronics diagnostics tools to check if the SSD chips are receiving power or if there’s board damage from, say, liquid or electrical surges. They’ll also assess if any temporary repairs could make the drive accessible (for example, fixing a power supply issue on the board).
  
  

• Proprietary Tools and Workarounds: If the device can be made to run just enough to access the data, experts have methods to do so. For instance, some laptop manufacturers have hidden diagnostic ports or they might try to transplant certain chips to a working board of the same model. In many modern cases, though, the next step is more invasive.
  
  

• Chip-Off Recovery: This is the most advanced technique for soldered SSDs. Essentially, engineers desolder the NAND flash memory chips from the motherboard and read them independently using specialized equipment. The process requires a clean, controlled environment and precision tools. Using a hot-air rework station or infrared soldering system, the technician carefully heats the board to loosen the solder holding the flash memory chip(s) without damaging them. Once removed, each chip is placed into a reader or adapter that interfaces with forensic-grade recovery hardware. The raw data from the chips is then extracted. However, this raw dump often needs reassembly and decoding – the lab will use software to reconstruct the drive’s data from the memory dump, accounting for how the SSD controller had arranged it (including any wear-leveling algorithms, error correction, etc.). If encryption is present and the controller is not available, recovery might not be possible even after a chip-off, since the data on the chips could be encrypted gibberish. Chip-off is considered a last resort due to its complexity.
  
  

• Data Extraction and Rehabilitation: After either getting the device to run or performing a chip-off, the specialists will extract all the data they can. They then transfer the recovered data onto a new storage device (often provided as an external drive or uploaded securely). In many cases, they’ll verify a few files or the folder structure with you to ensure the critical data has been saved.

Why professional help works: These services have invested in tools and research specifically to deal with soldered components. For example, they maintain libraries of SSD controller chips, adapter boards, and have techniques to handle firmware repairs or micro-soldering tasks that a general consumer cannot do. Professional labs also boast cleanroom environments, which are necessary if they need to work on the storage chips without contamination. Moreover, their engineers are experienced with the intricacies of various SSD models (from PC ultrabooks to MacBook Pro onboard storage) and can navigate the quirks of each. They often achieve a higher success rate than DIY methods for complex cases because they can address the root hardware issues directly. In short, when the soldered SSD itself has failed or the device is non-functional, professionals can perform feats like chip transplant or direct memory reads that would be impossible otherwise.

However, it’s important to set realistic expectations: not every case is successful. If the memory chips are severely damaged (e.g. shorted out from a power surge) or encrypted without any way to decrypt, even the best lab might not rescue the data. Additionally, this route can be time-consuming and expensive. Specialized equipment and labor-intensive procedures don’t come cheap. Many data recovery companies charge hundreds to even over a thousand dollars for a single case, depending on difficulty. For example, prices might range roughly from $300 to $1,000 for moderate issues, and $1,100–$1,900 (or more) for severely damaged drives. In one real-world instance, a laptop manufacturer’s official service quoted $1,400 for attempting data recovery on a Surface Book with a soldered SSD. While independent repair shops may offer more competitive rates, you should still be prepared for a significant cost when pursuing professional onboard SSD recovery.

Practical Advice: If you decide to go with professional recovery, do your research and choose a reputable service. Look for a company experienced in soldered SSD or chip-off recovery specifically. Check reviews and success rates, and ensure they have clear policies (some operate on a “no data, no fee” basis, meaning you only pay if they retrieve your data). Also, be prepared to stop using the device and ship or drop it off as instructed – any further tinkering can reduce the chances of success. Finally, weigh the value of the lost data against the recovery cost. For priceless family photos or critical business files, professional intervention is often worth it. But for trivial data, you might opt to cut losses and replace the device.

Given the difficulties and costs associated with onboard SSD recovery, one of the most important takeaways is the value of prevention. If your laptop or tablet has a non-removable SSD, you should assume that a hardware failure could happen without warning – and recovery will be complicated. Here are some best practices to protect yourself:

• Maintain Regular Backups: This is non-negotiable. Use external hard drives or cloud backup services to keep copies of your important data. Ideally, set up automatic backups (for instance, using Windows File History, Mac’s Time Machine, or third-party cloud solutions) so that even if your device dies, your files are safe elsewhere. As one expert bluntly put it regarding closed systems with soldered storage, you should always have backups or cloud sync for your files because you “never know when they will fail.”. Don’t learn this lesson the hard way – make it a habit to back up at least weekly or sooner if you’re actively working on important projects.
  
  

• Use Built-in Recovery Tools (When Available): Some manufacturers anticipate the need for data recovery. For example, certain high-end laptops or 2-in-1 devices might have a special recovery port on the motherboard or a procedure to put the device in a mode where data can be extracted (Apple had a short-lived feature in some MacBook Pros for this, and some business laptops have service modes). Check your device’s support documentation now, before a failure, to see if any emergency data access methods exist. Knowing this in advance can be a lifesaver if your system won’t boot.
  
  

• Monitor SSD Health: While soldered SSDs often don’t provide easy access for replacement, they still report SMART diagnostics. Periodically use a tool to check your SSD’s health and remaining lifespan indicators. If you notice signs of trouble (like increasing reallocated sectors, controller errors, or sudden slowdowns and crashes), take it seriously. Backup immediately and consider preemptive device repair or replacement. Early warning can give you the chance to act before a catastrophic failure.
  
  

• Handle Your Device with Care: Many soldered SSD failures come not just from wear-out, but from external factors like physical damage or electrical stress. Protect your laptop/tablet from hard knocks and avoid exposing it to liquids or extreme temperatures. Use a surge protector when charging to shield against power surges that could fry the motherboard (and the SSD with it). While you can’t prevent all failures, gentle care can reduce the risk of sudden damage.
  
  

• Plan for Device Lifespan: Understand that modern slim devices might have a non-upgradeable, non-replaceable SSD by design. When purchasing such a device, opt for higher capacity upfront if you anticipate needing it (since you can’t upgrade later). More importantly, plan to replace the device after a certain number of years of heavy use before the risk of failure rises. SSDs, like all flash memory, have a finite lifespan of write cycles. Most will last many years under normal use, but if you’re a power user (constantly writing large amounts of data), the drive could wear out sooner. Keeping a device beyond its reliable service life without backups is asking for trouble.

By implementing these preventive measures, you essentially sidestep the nightmare scenario of data loss. It’s far better to have a solid backup and never need to worry about recovery than to desperately seek a $1000 solution after the fact. Remember, the best “recovery” is a backup – if your data is safely duplicated, a broken soldered SSD becomes a minor inconvenience (device repair) rather than a major data crisis.

In summary, recovering data from a soldered-on SSD is challenging but not impossible. We’ve covered how onboard SSD recovery differs from standard drives, mainly due to the drive being integrated into the motherboard. For logical issues (deleted files, OS errors), software-based methods can often save the day if you act quickly and carefully. For physical failures, involving professional services and advanced techniques like chip-off becomes necessary – albeit with higher cost and no guarantees of success. The key takeaways from this guide are: always back up your data proactively, understand the limits of DIY recovery (know when to stop and seek expert help), and handle your devices in ways that minimize risk.

By being prepared and informed, you’ll dramatically improve your odds of coming out of an SSD failure with your important data intact. We encourage you to share your experiences or questions in the comments – have you successfully performed an onboard SSD recovery, or learned any hard lessons about data loss? Your insights could help others. Remember, technology may keep evolving, but the principle of data safety remains the same. Stay vigilant, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help when needed. Together with Esmond Service Centre’s expertise, you can face the future of soldered storage with confidence and peace of mind.

Enjoyed this comprehensive onboard SSD recovery guide? Follow our FaceBook page, Linkedin profile or Instagram account for more expert insights and practical tips on cutting-edge technology. We regularly share helpful advice on everything from data recovery to device maintenance. If you’re struggling with a soldered SSD issue or any tech problem, don’t face it alone – contact Esmond Service Centre for professional consultation and support. Our friendly team is here to help you navigate even the toughest tech challenges and ensure your devices stay in peak condition.