QNAP offers a wide range of NAS devices that allow users to securely store their data and files on a centralized storage. Users can also configure the member drives in a RAID setup for data redundancy.
To safeguard the data, users can back up their NAS data to a cloud or create periodic snapshots of important files.
However, even after configuring RAID and taking periodic data backup or snapshots, QNAP NAS devices are prone to data loss. Some common reasons behind data loss from QNAP NAS devices are:
- Accidental file deletion;
- Accidental formatting of a volume/partition;
- Incorrect RAID array configuration;
- Malfunctioning drive/s;
- Failed drive controller;
- Corrupted RAID controller firmware;
- Failed firmware update;
- Abrupt power cut during read/write operations;
- Abrupt system shutdown or crash.
Let’s now learn the ways to recover data from QNAP NAS devices.
Methods to Recover Data from QNAP NAS Device
Below, we have explained some methods that you can use to recover data from QNAP NAS device.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from the Network Recycle Bin
When you delete files/folders from QNAP NAS through File Station, FTP, and Samba, they’re moved to the Network Recycle Bin. It retains the deleted files for 180 days by default.
As the Network Recycle Bin is not enabled by default, you need to configure the Network Recycle Bin beforehand. Otherwise, you will not be able to recover the deleted files.
If the Network Recycle Bin is already enabled, follow the steps below to recover the deleted files:
- Log in to your QNAP NAS dashboard;
- Open File Station;
- Click on Recycle Bin;
- Locate the file/folder that you wish to restore and select it;
- Right-click on it and select Recover;
- It will open the Recover window.
Choose the appropriate option (Yes or No), if you want to overwrite the existing file/folder while restoring.
Method 2: Use Snapshots to Recover Files/Folders
Snapshots is a standard feature in every QNAP NAS device that you can use to recover lost data from the NAS device. Every QNAP NAS device comes with the ability to create snapshots of volumes/partitions, LUN configurations, files and folders, and more.
You can use these snapshots to restore versions of lost data from an entire partition/LUN, specific files or folders, etc. that have been accidentally deleted from the NAS device.
Method 3: Hot Swap the Failed Member Drive
RAID-based NAS offers performance and data redundancy. Data redundancy is useful in case of data loss due to accidental deletion, partition loss, or a drive failure. If you have lost data from your RAID-based QNAP NAS due to drive failure, you can simply hot-swap the failed hard drive with a new one.
Once you have successfully hot-swapped the failed drive, the RAID controller will calculate the parity in other drives and rebuild the RAID array.
Method 4: Use a NAS Data Recovery Software
One of the best options to recover data from QNAP NAS device is by using a professional NAS data recovery software, like Stellar Toolkit for Data Recovery. It is a simple-to-use DIY NAS data recovery software that helps you recover data lost from NAS devices due to accidental deletion, volume formatting, drive failure, and more.
It supports data recovery from NAS devices of all popular brands, such as QNAP, Synology, etc.
It can also recover data from a RAID-based QNAP NAS. However, data recovery from a RAID-based NAS depends upon the type of RAID configuration and the number of drive failure. For example, if you have configured the member drives in a RAID 5 array, then it can withstand one drive failure. On the other hand, RAID 6 array can withstand two drives failure.
Here are the steps to use Stellar Toolkit for Data Recovery to recover data from QNAP NAS device:
- Disconnect the member drives from the drive enclosure and connect them to a Windows PC;
- Download and install Stellar Toolkit for Data Recovery from its official website on the same computer. Then, launch the software;
- You will see the Select What to Recover screen. Select what type of data you want to recover from the NAS drive. By default, the All Data option is selected. Click Next to proceed;
- On the Recover From screen, choose the displayed QNAP NAS drive under the Connected Drives section. Click Scan;
- The software will scan the connected NAS drives. After the scanning is complete, the software will list all the recoverable files. You can click on a file to preview it;
- After previewing the recoverable files, choose the files that you want to recover. Click on Recover to save the recoverable files;
- Click on Browse to select the folder/path to save the selected files. This can be an external storage drive or a different volume on the computer. After selecting the location, click on Start Saving to save the recovered files.
Once the software has successfully saved the recoverable files, go to the save location and check them.
Recover Data from a Failed QNAP NAS: Conclusion
QNAP NAS comes with several features, like Snapshots, Network Recycle Bin, etc., that help in recovering data in case of accidental deletion, volume formatting, drive failure, RAID controller failure, etc. If you have lost data from a QNAP NAS device, you can use these features as explained above.
You can use Stellar Toolkit for Data Recovery to simplify the process of RAID-based QNAP NAS data recovery. If the NAS has crashed due to a firmware update failure, you can refer to the QNAP NAS recovery guide.
