A Synology NAS is a storage device you can use for home use. Indeed, this smart storage system lets you keep all your personal files. In business, it connects to the local network and stores all important documents. The advantage of the Synology NAS is the ability to access its files via a browser or an application. It is the file system that guarantees you optimal security. For this purpose, it uses two disks. These can fail after prolonged use. Its LED indicator is still on, but you can no longer access the data? How do you go about recovering your files in this case? The answer is in this article.

A reminder about this storage device

The Synology NAS is not just a simple networked hard drive. It plays the role of a server perfectly and offers many features. First, it acts as a download station, a private cloud, or a media server.

Raid 1 allows hard drives to be mirrored in pairs. Each pair contains identical information. Data stored on the first is copied onto the second. This system is aimed mainly at people seeking better data security. Raid 1 also benefits from perfect redundancy. Thus, when one disk in a pair fails, the user is able to recover the data.

The Synology NAS server: popular with small organizations and individuals

The NAS server is a storage medium where data is accessible over a network. Some servers offer access via a USB port. However, its operation relies mainly on the network. This feature allows it to manage data centrally.

It is mainly used by small organizations such as SMEs, associations, and schools. In all cases, it suits organizations where a NAS is used as a data storage space. Using a Synology NAS server helps secure data on the network, free up storage space on individual computers, and save time managing storage space.

A Synology NAS in Raid 1 can fail

Admittedly, disk failures are rare. However, in some cases, users can no longer access the disk on the network. This phenomenon occurs with no apparent reason. Generally speaking, it can fail for the following reasons:

  • The integrity of the enclosure is compromised;
  • The NAS operating system has malfunctions;
  • The files stored on the NAS are corrupted;
  • The hard drives show signs of damage.

It is rare for a Synology Raid 1 to fail. However, it can happen. Rest assured, there are several solutions for recovering your files on the hard drive(s).

First method: the simplest solution

Recovering files from a Synology Raid 1 can be done in the simplest way. Indeed, all you need to do is buy the same Synology NAS model. Then, simply replace the disks in the enclosure and restart the server.

After restarting, the NAS switches to migration mode. After a few minutes, you will find all your data and files on the network again. Note that this solution is costly despite its simplicity. Therefore, if your budget does not allow it, there are other solutions available to you.

Second method: less expensive, but more complex

Synology NAS devices on the market run mainly on Linux. This is why the RAID 1 system is standardized. To recover the files, you need to connect your hard drive to a PC via a USB dock or directly inside your tower.

When the PC starts up, Windows will ask you to format the disk. You must decline this step. To access the data on the disk, all you need to do is use dedicated software. By doing a bit of research online, you can find paid or free tools such as Linux Reader.

Recovery requires very little in the way of resources, and can even be free. However, this method only works with systems such as Raid 0 and Raid 1.

Third method: highly difficult, but free

The third solution consists of recovering the files on the disks by connecting them to a computer running Ubuntu. With this method, mounting the disks remains easy under Linux. You will find your data again after running three to four commands.

So, when a Synology NAS fails, there is no need to panic. You have several solutions at your disposal to recover your files. You can buy a new NAS and recover your files via Linux, or use Windows with the help of specialized software (such as Hexascan).

If you encounter difficulties with these various methods, you can also contact us.