USB or Pen Drive Data Recovery
Let us help you get it back!
- Experts with +15 years of experience
- Recovers data within 4-7 business days
- +24,200 Analyses Performed
Your flash drive or USB stick has failed.
We can get it back.
Our specialized technicians can recover lost data from damaged pen drives and USB sticks. You will be informed at all times of the status of the recovery. Laby assures you of a solution to your problem.
USB flash drives belong to the FLASH technology family — they work very similarly to SSDs, but with differences in both connection and internal connections. Since their standardization with the appearance of the USB port, these devices have evolved in capacity and speed to become an everyday tool for millions of users.
4h
Free diagnostics in less than 4 business hours
USB
3.2
Compatible with all USB standards and connectors
FLASH
Specialists in NAND Flash technology and solid-state memory
0€
No cost if we fail to recover your data
More than 33,500 devices in stock for fast and economical service. Own software and customized intranet.
We recover data from any USB drive
It doesn't matter the standard, connector, or device type. If it has a USB port and stores data, we can recover it.
USB 1.0 – 1.1
USB 2.0
USB 3.0 – 3.2
Pen drives and USB sticks
Patriot, Kingston, SanDisk and any other brand. Logical failures, physical damage to the connector, or faulty NAND chips.
USB flash drives
Verbatim, PNY, Samsung and the like. Recovery after accidental formatting, file system corruption, or data deletion.
USB external hard drives
Buffalo, Western Digital, Adata and others. Bumps, drops, USB interface board or internal disk failure.
USB mobile devices
Samsung, iPhone, Huawei and other smartphones. Data access and recovery when the device won't boot or isn't recognized.
USB Digital Cameras
Nikon, Canon, Olympus and others. Recovery of deleted photos and videos or damaged memory cards connected by USB.
Audio and video players
Astell & Kern, JBL, FiiO and the like. Retrieval of media stored internally or on built-in flash memories.
Why is data lost on a USB or pen drive?
Pen drives are small, portable, and vulnerable. These are the most common causes we see in the laboratory.
Accidental deletion
The most common reason. A file deleted by mistake or an incorrect selection when emptying the trash. In many cases, the data is still intact on the device and is recoverable.
Formatting by mistake
Formatting the wrong flash drive or choosing the wrong file system may seem catastrophic, but in most cases the data is not physically destroyed instantly.
Malware and viruses
Certain malware hides or deletes files from the pen drive. Content may still be present on memory chips even if it is not visible from the operating system.
Extraction without ejecting
Disconnecting the USB while writing data can corrupt the file system and leave files incomplete or inaccessible. A very common mistake with avoidable consequences.
Physical damage
Broken connectors, bumps, crushing, or exposure to water. Pen drives are fragile by nature, but even with visible physical damage it is possible to access the internal memory chips.
Power outage
A power interruption during a transfer can leave the data half-finished. The result is an inconsistent file system with incomplete files or corrupted directories.
Partitioning error
A misconfigured partition table can cause the contents of the pen drive to disappear from the browser. The data is usually still on the device and is accessible with the right tools.
Software failure
Errors in applications that write directly to the pen drive can leave corrupt or incomplete data. Especially common in video editing, backup or synchronization tools.
Does your USB show any of these behaviors?
- The computer does not recognize the device when connected
- The pen drive appears as an empty or unformatted drive
- Files have disappeared without deleting them
- The device displays strange characters or unreadable names
- Read or write errors when trying to access
- The connector is physically broken or bent
- The memory controller has been shorted
The Achilles' heel of FLASH technology
With the exception of SLC chips (the highest quality and most priced), all NAND Flash technologies – MLC, TLC and QLC – have a limited number of write cycles. With use, the memory blocks degrade until the device becomes unresponsive without warning.
This type of failure is especially silent: the pen drive works normally until one day, it simply stops doing so. There are no clear previous signs, and that's why so many users are caught off guard.
At Laby we can recover the information from your pen drive or USB stick. Free diagnosis in less than 4 working hours. If we don't recover your data, we don't charge. No surprises.
How do we carry out the process of recovering data from a pen drive?
Inquiry
Tell us about your case. Immediate response from a specialist and a quote without obligation.
24/7 · 365 daysEvaluation
We analyze your device and give you a report with recoverable data, term and fixed price.
Free diagnosisRecovery
Once the budget is approved, we act. Real-time tracking from your private portal.
95% success >rateData Submission
Your data on an encrypted device sent to your door. Privacy guaranteed.
Secure shipping includedTips to avoid losing data on your pen drive or USB stick
Pen drives are practical and fast, but FLASH technology has an Achilles' heel: the progressive degradation of memory blocks. Knowing how it works and what habits to avoid can make the difference between keeping your data or losing it beyond repair.
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1
Do not work directly on the pen drive. Opening, editing, and saving files directly to the USB stick wears out the memory cells with each write operation. It is advisable to copy the files to the computer, work from there and save them back to the USB only when necessary.
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2
Unplug it when you're not using it. Having the pen drive permanently connected to the computer – even if you are not using it – also wears out the cells. The operating system regularly queries the device in the background, causing silent and continuous wear and tear.
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3
Always expel it correctly before disconnecting it. Most flash drives use the exFAT format — a file system with historical limitations and very vulnerable to corruption. Disconnecting the USB without ejecting it properly while the system is writing data can corrupt the file system and make you lose all the contents of the device.
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4
Don't use your flash drive as your only storage for important files. A pen drive is a portable, temporary device, not a backup system. If the files are important, make sure you have a copy on another device or in the cloud. Degradation of FLASH blocks can cause the device to stop working without warning.
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5
If your flash drive starts to cause problems, stop using it immediately. Read errors, files that don't open, or that the computer takes longer than usual to recognize them are signs that the memory blocks are failing. Continuing to use it can accelerate deterioration and reduce the chances of recovering data.
Here are our deadlines
In just 1 hour
We process the collection by courier service from your home or company.
Within 4 working hours
After receiving the device in the laboratory (within 24 hours), we carry out a diagnosis and quote without obligation.
Between 4 and 7 working days
This is the average recovery time for the damaged device after the quote is accepted.*
Recovery Pricing
USB and Pen Drive Data
399€ – 990€
+ VAT
For Firmware Breakdowns
FLASH electronics repair. Corrupted device's internal SW or damaged firmware modules.
Contact890€ – 2.990€
+ VAT
Physical Failures (Controller/Memory Block)
Unrecognizable devices, sudden failures, or locked drives. Intervention on the device's controller or NAND chips.
ContactWhat determines the price
to recover your pen drive or USB stick?
The cost always depends on the damage to the device, the working hours and the technical equipment required. In any case, a prior diagnosis is essential to identify the type of fault before giving any final price.
Type and severity of damage
Accidental deletion or file system corruption is not the same as a physical failure of the controller or NAND chips. The type of fault determines both the tools required and the intervention time.
Working hours
Firmware or driver failures in FLASH memory require much longer processes than a simple accidental formatting. Rebuilding the NAND translation table or repairing the firmware can take tens of hours of specialized work.
Technical equipment
Recovery of damaged NAND chips requires direct reading equipment on memory chips, driver reconstruction tools, and specialized software that is not available to any laboratory.
File system deletion, formatting, or corruption
These are the most frequent cases and the ones with the highest success rate. The device is still recognized by the system but the data is not accessible. In many cases, the content remains intact on the memory chips and is recoverable with the right tools.
The exFAT format — the most common in pen drives — is especially vulnerable to corruption. An improper disconnection can be enough to corrupt the file system.
Damaged driver or faulty NAND chips
When the pen drive controller fails – due to short circuit, overvoltage, or extreme wear and tear – the device is no longer fully recognized. In these cases, it is necessary to read the NAND chips directly, extract the raw data, and reconstruct the controller's translation table.
It is the most complex and expensive process, but in many cases it is still possible to recover the data even if the device appears completely dead.
If we don't recover your data, we don't charge. Free diagnosis in less than 4 working hours. A closed quote without obligation before starting. No surprises.
What do you think of us?
ISO 9001
Laby has a quality management system certified in accordance with the international standard ISO 9001:2015, ensuring efficient processes, continuous improvement and a high level of satisfaction in each project.
INCIBE
Laby is registered with the National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), reinforcing its commitment to best practices in cybersecurity, digital protection and information security.
ISO 27001
Laby has an information security management system certified according to the international standard ISO/IEC 27001:2022, guaranteeing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
Frequently Asked Questions About USB and Pen Drive Data Recovery
What should I do if my computer doesn't recognize the USB flash drive?
If your computer doesn’t recognize the USB stick, it could be due to a variety of factors. Here are some solutions you can try:
- Make sure that the USB stick is properly connected to the USB port on your computer.
- Try plugging the USB stick into different USB ports on your computer.
- Check if other USB devices are recognized on the same port. This will help identify if the problem is specific to the USB stick or the port itself.
- If the USB stick is still not recognized, there may be a problem with the electronics, controller, or memory block. In that case, you might consider seeking help from data recovery professionals like Laby.
Is it possible to recover lost or damaged files on a pen drive or USB stick?
Yes, in many cases it is possible to recover lost or damaged files on a pen drive or USB stick. When files are accidentally deleted or memory has malfunctions, it is advisable to seek data recovery specialists. These professionals have the tools and knowledge to try to recover lost information. However, it is important to note that it is not always possible to recover all files and the likelihood of success depends on the state of the memory and the severity of the damage
What does it mean when the pen drive shows strange characters when connected to the computer?
When a pen drive shows strange characters when connected to the computer, it may indicate that the. Strange characters are usually the result of an error in the interpretation of the stored data. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including a corrupted or corrupted file system, problems with memory blocks, or device driver corruption. In cases like this, it is advisable to seek help from data recovery experts, who will be able to assess the state of the memory and determine the chances of recovery.
How can I prevent memory cell degradation on my pen drive or USB stick?
To avoid degradation of the memory cells on your pen drive or USB stick, it is advisable to follow some good practices:
- Properly eject the USB device before disconnecting it from the computer.
- Avoid working directly on files stored on the pen drive or USB stick. Instead, copy the files to your computer’s hard drive, edit them, and then save them back to your device.
- Avoid prolonged and constant use of the pen drive or USB stick without rest. Unplug it when you’re not using it.
- Keep your device’s firmware up to date, if possible, following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
These practices can help reduce wear and tear on memory cells and extend the life of your flash drive or USB stick.
If you want to know exactly the cost for you, the best thing to do is to contact us and we will give you a free quote without obligation.
What devices do we recover at Laby?
Mechanical Hard Disks
HDD disks have as main components the metal plates where data is stored, and the heads that access the information. The most common hard disk.
SSD Hard Drives
SSDs have no moving parts — hence "solid state." Information is stored in blocks with no heads required. Much more efficient and faster than HDD.
External Hard Drives
External hard disks let you store important backups outside your computer. A single failure can cause you to lose all that valuable data.
iPhone, iPad, iMac or MacBook
Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iMac, MacBook and Mac Mini. Reliable, elegant and powerful — and fully recoverable when something goes wrong.
Laptop Hard Disks
Your laptop holds important work and personal data. If a failure occurs, all that valuable information can be at risk — we can get it back.
NAS, SAN and DAS Disks
A compact enclosure of several hard disks connected via network cable to the system. Commonly known as a network hard disk — we recover all configurations.
RAID Systems
RAID disks are a redundant group of independent disks (HDD or SSD) forming a storage system to distribute or replicate data across multiple drives.
Pen Drives and USB Flash Drives
Pen drives consist of one or more memory blocks using the same Flash technology as SSD devices, making them fast but vulnerable to sudden failures.
Memory Cards
Memory cards store data from cameras, phones and tablets. They vary in capacity and speed — and when they fail, we recover what matters most.
Virus or Ransomware
We recover data encrypted by viruses or ransomware. Ransomware blocks your device until a ransom is paid — depending on the type, it encrypts the full OS or specific files.
Mobile Phones and Tablets
Recovery from smartphones and tablets is carried out by analyzing the electronics of damaged components or through the chip-off process for deeper failures.
Data Deletion
We offer certified secure data erasure and destruction, carried out either in our laboratory or remotely, with full documentation for compliance and legal purposes.
Forensic Analysis
Computer forensic analysis and expert evidence. We recover and certify critical information with legal value, with certified experts for reports and legal proceedings.