Last updated: March 2026 — Reviewed by the RecuperaTusDatos Technical Team
Quick Answer — What should I do if I lost my data?
If you have lost data, follow these 5 steps:
1) Turn off the device immediately.
2) Do not install recovery software on the affected drive.
3) Do not open the hard drive — it requires a cleanroom.
4) Contact a professional data recovery laboratory.
5) Request a free diagnosis — free phone: 900 899 002
Every minute of use reduces the chances of recovery. The sooner you act, the higher the success rate.
The 5 Emergency Steps Explained
Step 1: Turn Off the Device Immediately
Every second the system remains on, the operating system writes temporary files, cache and paging data that can overwrite your deleted data. On SSDs with TRIM enabled, the controller can permanently erase freed sectors within minutes. If the drive has mechanical damage (clicking, buzzing), continued operation worsens the physical damage to the platters and heads.
Action: Shut down the computer. If it is an external drive, disconnect it. If it is a phone, turn it off. Do not open applications, do not browse, do not save anything.
Step 2: Do Not Install Recovery Software
Installing any program —including free recovery software— writes new data onto the drive, potentially on top of the files you want to recover. Additionally, many free tools perform aggressive scans that can damage drives with incipient physical failures.
Action: Do not download or run Recuva, TestDisk, PhotoRec or any other program on the affected drive. If you must use software, do so from a separate drive and only if you are certain the problem is logical, not physical.
Step 3: Do Not Open the Hard Drive
Mechanical hard drives (HDD) contain magnetic platters spinning at 5,400–15,000 RPM with nanometre tolerances between the heads and the surface. Opening a drive outside a certified cleanroom (ISO Class 5) allows dust particles in that scratch the platters and destroy data permanently.
Action: Do not remove the drive cover. Do not attempt to repair it. Take the drive as-is to the laboratory.
Step 4: Contact a Professional Laboratory
A professional laboratory has a certified cleanroom, specialised tools (PC-3000, DeepSpar) and technicians with experience across thousands of cases. Look for a laboratory with ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications (quality management and information security). Be wary of services that do not show their laboratory or do not allow visits.
Action: Choose a laboratory with its own facilities, verifiable certifications and a “no recovery, no fee” policy.
Step 5: Request a Free Diagnosis
The best laboratories offer a free, no-obligation diagnosis. At RecuperaTusDatos, the diagnosis takes 4 hours and we tell you exactly what data can be recovered, the timeframe and the exact cost before we start.
How to contact us:
Free phone: 900 899 002
WhatsApp: 628 076 740
Email: info@recuperatusdatos.es
What You Should NEVER Do If You Lose Data
- ✗ Do not put the drive in the freezer. This is an internet myth. Condensation and humidity damage the electronic components and corrode the platters.
- ✗ Do not run recovery software on the same drive. Writing data to the affected drive can destroy the files you want to recover.
- ✗ Do not open the hard drive casing. Without a cleanroom, dust particles scratch the platters irreversibly.
- ✗ Do not shake or hit the device. The heads can scratch the magnetic platters, causing permanent data loss.
- ✗ Do not continue using the drive. Every write operation —even browsing the internet— reduces the chances of recovery.
Can Lost Data Actually Be Recovered?
Yes — in 95 % of cases data can be recovered, provided you act correctly from the outset. The key is not making the damage worse: stop using the drive, do not install software and go to a professional laboratory as soon as possible. Even drives with severe physical damage —damaged heads, corrupt firmware, partially scratched platters— can be recovered with the right tools and expertise.
At RecuperaTusDatos we apply a strict “no recovery, no fee” policy: if we cannot recover your data, you do not pay. The diagnosis is always free.
Device-Specific Quick Tips
Hard Drive (HDD)
If you hear clicking or buzzing, shut down immediately: the heads may be damaged. Do not power the drive on again. Take it to a laboratory with a certified cleanroom. Recovery rate: very high when you act quickly.
SSD / NVMe
TRIM permanently erases data within minutes. Disconnect the SSD as soon as possible and do not reconnect it until a professional examines it. Do not attempt firmware updates or formatting. Recovery requires specialised equipment (chip-off or direct NAND reading).
Phone / Tablet
Turn the phone off. Do not attempt a factory reset. If it has fallen into water, do not charge or turn it on: the current can cause a short circuit. Gently dry the outside and take it to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not use rice — it does not work and leaves residue.
RAID / NAS
Do not rebuild or swap drives if the RAID is degraded with more than one failed disk. Shut down the NAS and do not change the drive order. Label each drive with its bay number. A failed rebuild can destroy all the data.
Lost Your Data? Act Now
The sooner you contact a professional, the higher the chances of recovery. Free diagnosis in 4 hours. No recovery, no fee.
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