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Devices · nas unit recovery

NAS data recovery in Bristol.

Crashed volume, a NAS that won't boot, a failed rebuild or shares deleted by mistake? We recover Synology, QNAP and every other make — SHR, Btrfs and ext4. We image every disk and rebuild the volume off the box, so a dead NAS never means lost data.

From £500 · multi-bay
Most jobs — no fix, no fee
Synology · QNAP · +
~ nas_2026-001 — live RECOVERED
$ bdr diagnose /dev/nas
 NAS: Synology DS920+ · 4 × 4 TB · SHR
 Status: VOLUME CRASHED — disk dropped, Btrfs damaged
 Client: Hayes, M. · Fishponds BS16

$ bdr engineer-working
 Member disks: all 4 imaged read-only
 SHR + LVM: reassembled off the box
 Btrfs: repaired · volume mounted

$ bdr verify
 ✓ shares — 11.2 TB
 ✓ photos + backups — restored
 ✓ NAS recovered — data back
!

Don't let a failed NAS repair or rebuild itself.

If your NAS shows a crashed or degraded volume, has lost a disk, or won't boot, stop — don't let it repair, rebuild or re-sync the volume. A rebuild writes to the disks and can overwrite the very data we need, and a NAS disk put into a Windows PC will be offered up to format. Power the unit down, note which disk came from which bay, and call us. The first attempt at recovery is always the safest.

// faults we recover from

NAS faults we fix.

From a crashed volume to a NAS that won't boot, these are the NAS failures we recover from most — volume, hardware, rebuild and logical.

NAS won't boot or dead boxThe NAS itself won't start, but the disks inside are usually fine. Send us the disks and we reassemble the volume off the box and recover your shares — a dead NAS is no barrier.HardwareDead boxVolume crashed or failedA Synology "Volume crashed" or QNAP volume error usually means a disk dropped or the file system is damaged, not lost data. We rebuild the volume from the disks and recover it.VolumeCrashedMultiple drive failureMore disks have failed than the NAS can tolerate and the volume is offline. We image every disk and rebuild the array from copies to recover the data.Multi-diskOfflineFailed rebuild or repairA repair or rebuild after swapping a disk has stalled or failed. Rebuilds are where NAS volumes are most often lost — we stop, image everything and reconstruct it safely.RebuildHigh riskAccidental reset, delete or reconfigureReset the NAS, deleted a shared folder or recreated the volume by mistake? As long as little has been written since, we can usually rebuild the original volume and recover your data.LogicalResetFirmware, DSM or QTS update failedA firmware or DSM/QTS update that bricked the NAS or lost the volume? The disks still hold your data — we read them, rebuild the volume and recover your shares off the box.FirmwareUpdateNAS ransomware (QLocker, DeadBolt)NAS units are a target for ransomware like QLocker and DeadBolt. Where we can, we recover unencrypted or earlier copies of your data — ransomware needs special handling, so ask us.LogicalRansomwareSHR or Btrfs file-system damageSynology SHR, Btrfs or ext4 volumes can corrupt after a power cut or a bad disk. We reassemble the array and repair the file system to recover your files and snapshots.File systemSHRDisks removed or out of orderDisks pulled and put back in the wrong bays, or removed during a fault? We identify each disk's correct place and rebuild the NAS volume from there.OrderMembers
// nas units we recover

Every NAS. Every volume.

We recover every NAS — Synology, QNAP, WD, NETGEAR, Buffalo and the rest — every RAID level, SHR, Btrfs and ext4, from a two-bay box to a rack of bays. The make decides the method, not whether we can help.

SynologyQNAPWD My CloudNETGEARBuffaloAsustorTerraMasterDroboThecusSeagateLaCieZyxelSHRBtrfsext4RAID 1RAID 5RAID 6RAID 10JBODDSMQTSmdadmLVM

Synology (DSM, SHR, Btrfs), QNAP (QTS), WD My Cloud, NETGEAR ReadyNAS, Buffalo TeraStation, Asustor, TerraMaster and Drobo · RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 and SHR · ext4 and Btrfs · 2-bay, 4-bay, 8-bay and rack units, plus expansion bays.

// our recovery process

How we recover a NAS.

NAS recovery means reading your data off the disks, not the box. A NAS stores everything on a Linux RAID volume — not a format Windows can read — so we image every disk, reassemble the array and file system, and recover your shares independently of the NAS itself.

01

Free diagnostic

Tell us the NAS — make, number of bays, RAID type, what happened. We assess it and send a written quote, usually within 48 hours. Note which disk came from which bay if you can.

02

Image every disk

We take a read-only image of every disk in the NAS on specialist hardware, including failing ones, so all the work happens on copies and your originals are never touched.

03

Repair failed disks

Where a disk has failed mechanically or electronically, we repair it — swapping heads, rebuilding the board — enough to image it. Drive-level repairs need 50% of the fee upfront.

04

Reassemble the volume

We reassemble the RAID or SHR array, the LVM layer and the ext4 or Btrfs file system from the images — exactly as the NAS had it, off the box.

05

Recover the shares

We extract your shared folders, files, photos, backups, virtual machines and snapshots from the rebuilt volume — pulling the most consistent copy of the data.

06

Verify

We check the recovered shares and files actually open and are complete before anything is returned to you.

07

Return your data

We return your data on a new drive or NAS sized for the volume, ready to put back into service.

// what we recover from

Every NAS. Your data back.

We recover every NAS — Synology, QNAP, WD, NETGEAR and the rest — imaging every disk and rebuilding the RAID or SHR volume off the box, so a dead NAS never means lost shares.

Every NAS
Synology, QNAP +
Read-only
disks never altered
Off the box
volume rebuilt
48 hr
Diagnostic turnaround
From £500
Multi-bay units
25 yrs
Recovering data
// get a custom quote

Get a custom quote

Tell us what happened and we will get back to you, usually within one working day.

Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137 · Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm

// pricing

Clear, fixed pricing.

Clear, tiered pricing for NAS recovery — with a free diagnostic and a written quote before any work starts.

NAS data recovery
£500 + VAT
From, for a multi-bay NAS — RAID 5, 6, 10 or SHR. Two-bay mirrors start at £500, 3 disk Raid 5 start at £800. Most jobs are no fix, no fee.
  • Free diagnostic and a written quote first
  • Two-bay NAS mirror recovery from £500 + VAT
  • Multi-bay NAS — RAID 5, 6, 10, SHR — from £800 + VAT
  • Every disk imaged read-only — your originals are never written to
  • Your recovered data back on a new drive or NAS
// recent recoveries

Failed NAS units. Real recoveries.

A snapshot of recent NAS recoveries across crashed volumes, dead boxes, failed rebuilds and reconfiguration. Names redacted, results verified.

// CASE 2026-040recovered
Synology DS920+ · 4×4 TBSHR · BtrfsVolume crashed

Synology that showed Volume crashed and dropped all the shares.

A disk had failed and the Btrfs volume corrupted. We imaged all four, reassembled the SHR array and recovered every share.

// CASE 2026-034recovered
QNAP TS-453 · 4×6 TBRAID 5Won't boot

QNAP that wouldn’t power on after a storm.

The NAS hardware was dead but the disks were intact. We rebuilt the RAID 5 volume off the box and recovered the lot.

// CASE 2026-028recovered
Synology DS220+ · 2×4 TBSHR mirrorBoth disks failed

Two-bay Synology where both disks failed within days.

Neither disk was fully dead. We repaired and imaged each, then rebuilt the mirror to recover the family photos.

// CASE 2026-021recovered
QNAP TS-873 · 8×8 TBRAID 6Failed rebuild

QNAP RAID 6 corrupted during a rebuild after two disks were swapped.

The rebuild had partly overwritten the volume. We imaged every disk and reconstructed the original layout to recover it.

// CASE 2026-014recovered
WD My Cloud · 1×6 TBSingle diskNAS dead

WD My Cloud that died and took the only copy of years of photos.

The box had failed but the disk was healthy. We read the Linux volume off it and recovered everything.

// CASE 2026-007recovered
Synology DS418 · 4×3 TBSHRReset by mistake

Synology volume deleted during a botched DSM reconfiguration.

Little new had been written. We reconstructed the original SHR volume and recovered the shares and backups.

// client reviews

NAS units recovered. Customers relieved.

Reviews from real Bristol and South West clients whose NAS units we recovered.

★★★★★
Our Synology came up with “Volume crashed” and we lost access to the whole business overnight. They rebuilt it and recovered every share. I cannot recommend them enough.
M
Michael H.Fishponds, Bristol · March 2025
★★★★★
Our NAS just died with years of family photos on it and no other copy. They got every one of them back. Worth every penny and lovely people to deal with.
S
Sarah J.Bath · November 2024
★★★★★
A rebuild on our QNAP went wrong and corrupted the volume with all our work on it. They reconstructed it and got everything back. Fast, fair and completely honest.
D
David T.Keynsham · August 2023
★★★★★
Our WD My Cloud died and two other places said the photos were gone. These read the disk and recovered the lot. Genuine experts.
P
Priya K.Clifton, Bristol · May 2022
★★★★★
Gave us a clear fixed quote up front, no fix no fee, and kept us updated throughout. Recovered our two-bay Synology after both disks failed. Brilliant service.
T
Tom W.Bristol · January 2021
★★★★★
I deleted our QNAP volume by mistake and thought we’d lost everything. They reconstructed it and recovered all our shares. Honest, skilled and reassuring.
L
Linda M.Portishead · September 2019
// sending your device in

Two simple steps.

Send us your device for a free diagnostic, and tell us a little about what happened — an engineer will review it and confirm your exact quote in writing before any work begins.

1

Send us your device

Recovering your data starts with getting the device to us. Pack it safely, add your contact details, and send it over — after we run a free diagnostic, we’ll confirm your exact price in writing before any work begins.

How to pack it
  • Package the device into a small, sturdy box or padded envelope.
  • Leave out caddies, cables and power supplies — we won’t need them for the recovery.
  • Include your details inside the package: name, address, phone and email — on a slip of paper, or use our shipping form — then seal it up.
Post toBristol Data Recovery
Castlemead, Lower Castle Street
Bristol BS1 3AG
Shipping formPDF · print & include with your devicePDF ↓

Posting it in? We recommend a tracked, insured service. Prefer to drop it off? You’re welcome Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm — please still package the device as above.

2

Need more information?

If you need more information on our data recovery service, fill out the form with more detail about your issue and an engineer will review it and give you a custom quote.

An engineer reviews every enquiry personally — we usually reply within 30 minutes during the day. Prefer to call? 0117 332 1137.

Thanks — your message is in.

We’ll be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, call 0117 332 1137.

// frequently asked questions

NAS recovery, answered.

The questions we are asked most about recovering a NAS unit.

Usually not. A crashed volume normally means a disk has dropped out or the Btrfs or ext4 file system is damaged, not that the data is gone. We image every disk, reassemble the SHR or RAID array and repair the volume to recover your shares. Don't let the NAS repair or rebuild it first.

Usually, yes. A NAS that won't boot has almost always failed at the box — the mainboard or power — while the disks inside are fine. Once you take the disks out and send them to us, we rebuild the volume off the box and recover your shares, so you don't even need the NAS working.

No — and please don't try. A NAS stores data on a Linux RAID volume with an ext4 or Btrfs file system, which Windows can't read, and it will offer to initialise or format the disk, which destroys the data. Bring us the disks and we'll rebuild the volume properly.

Yes, please — send every disk, including any that have failed, and note which bay each came from if you can. NAS recovery works by reassembling the volume from all the disks together, and even a dead disk often holds data we need to fill in the gaps.

Two-bay NAS mirror recoveries start at £500 + VAT. Multi-bay units — RAID 5, 6, 10 and SHR — start at £800 + VAT, depending on the number of disks and the work needed. Every job begins with a free diagnostic and a written quote, and most are no fix, no fee.

On most jobs, yes. For drive-level repairs we take a 50% deposit upfront and the rest is only due if we recover your data — so if we can't, you are not left with the full bill.

Every make — Synology, QNAP, Western Digital, NETGEAR, Buffalo, Asustor, TerraMaster, Drobo and the rest, every RAID level and SHR, ext4 and Btrfs. The make decides the method, not whether the data can be recovered.

Sometimes. NAS units are a common ransomware target, and where there are unencrypted files, snapshots or earlier versions left, we can often recover those. Ransomware that has fully encrypted the volume needs special handling, so ask us about that separately and don't pay anything before you do.

Usually, yes. A failed rebuild is the most common way NAS volumes are lost, because rebuilding writes to the disks. We stop, image every disk read-only and reconstruct the original SHR or RAID array from the copies, so a failed rebuild rarely means the end.

Most two-bay NAS units are done within 3 to 4 working days. Multi-bay units usually take 4 to 7 working days, depending on the number of disks and whether any need drive-level repair first. The free diagnostic is normally finished within 48 hours, and urgent business cases can often be prioritised.

Please take the disks out of the NAS yourself and send us just the disks — we don't remove drives from NAS or RAID devices ourselves. Label which bay each disk came from and pack them so they can't knock together. You can drop them off at our Bristol location Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, or post them to us fully insured. Include your name, address, phone number and email so we can book it in and quote before any work begins.

// nas failed?

Volume crashed, dead box or failed rebuild? We'll recover it.

Free diagnostic, clear tiered pricing from £500 for multi-bay units, and no fix no fee on most jobs — every NAS recovered, Synology, QNAP and the rest, off the box. Start your recovery today.

Call us — 0117 332 1137
Mon–Fri · 9am–5:30pm · No fix, no fee
Start a free diagnostic →