Will data disappear from an SSD when power is cut off? Find the answer here!

Solid State Drives (SSDs) represent a novel and long-awaited era in storage technology. Undoubtedly, SSDs are currently one of the most sought-after storage options. But why is that? Because SSDs outlast and outperform any other HDD component in terms of durability, speed, and storage density per inch. There's no denying that SSDs are the future of storage media, but a common question arises: Do SSDs require power to retain data? Read on to find out. In this article, we'll provide you with a clear and in-depth analysis of SSDs, including how they work and related insights.

Do external SSDs need power?

Before delving into whether an external SSD needs power, it's crucial to understand that SSDs are electronic components that require electrical circuits to function. Hence, when it comes to power supply, it can vary depending on the type of SSD you're considering.

An external SSD draws less power, and a USB port can supply enough power for it. All USB ports have, on board, four minimum contact points specifically designed for this. Let's consider the old way, when a system user would buy a separate HDD and use it for a special function.

The HDD inside still needs power. For HDDs, though, it's a different story. Typically, they come in 2.5-inch form factors, which makes for a difference between external drives and external SSDs. In this case, the SSD has an advantage.

When it comes to SSDs, there are typically two types: external and internal. External SSDs are compact and portable, and they usually draw less power than their external counterparts. On the other hand, internal SSDs are designed to be installed on a system's motherboard and tend to consume more power when in operation.

Do I need a power supply for an internal SSD?

Both external and internal SSDs are electronic components, which means they require power to operate and function. The power source may differ, depending on the specific SSD model you're considering.

Internal SSDs (solid-state drives) are built specifically for installation inside a system. Internal SSDs usually come in M.2 and 2.5-inch form factors. Depending on their design, they connect in different ways and are always powered by their connection.

Given that 2.5-inch form factor SSDs often have similar power connections as HDDs, they usually connect to the system with two separate cables. One is a SATA cable for data transfer, and the other is a power cable that draws directly from the PSU.

For an M.2 SSD, the connection process is different. Given their design and shape that resemble RAM modules, there's no option for connecting wires. Instead, they usually connect directly to the system's motherboard through a PCIe slot. Generally, for SSDs with an M.2 form factor, the PCIe slot provides the power supply.

How do solid-state drives retain data without power?

SSDs can retain data without power because the memory chips they use, NAND flash memory, is inherently volatile and programmed electrically. Typically, an SSD requires a small amount of charge, or a minimal electromagnetic field, to function properly. Experts note that SSDs contain flash cells with high resistance that can hold a charge for extended periods.

If an SSD is not powered on regularly, the charge on the cells will eventually dissipate. Before we proceed, it's important to understand how an SSD works. Typically, an SSD consists of transistors with columns and rows that have values of 1s and 0s. Initially, the transistors are set to 1, which changes when data is stored.

As we know, these transistors are arranged in rows and columns, and at each intersection you have two transistors: one called the floating gate, and the other called the control gate. And when charge is injected to the control gate, it creates a positive charge that interrupts the flow of current, so when you apply the right voltage across the transistor, it outputs a unique pattern of ones and zeros. Now, a single-level NAND cell can store one bit per cell, and a multi-level type can store two bits per cell.

So, how long can data be retained on an SSD when it's not powered? According to experts, an SSD can retain data for up to a year even when it's not powered at 30°C. As we discussed earlier, SSDs generally store data by trapping electrons inside the NAND gates, and data loss mainly occurs due to electron leakage. You can't predict the exact number of years an SSD will keep your data. Generally speaking, an SSD might lose its data if it has been years without power. Studies show that an SSD can hold onto data for a minimum of 2-5 years without power. Some SSD manufacturers even claim that their SSDs can preserve data for up to 15 to 20 years without a regular power supply.

When the Worst Happens | SSD Recovery

If you lose data from your SSD due to power outage for a long time, you can use an SSD Data Recovery Software to help recover your data. It is a reliable third-party Hard Drive Data Recovery Software with advanced features like deleted file recovery, formatted recovery, raw recovery, and various data restoration scenarios such as after OS reinstallation, hard drive failure, software crash, human errors, and power failures for formatted recovery.

Step 1: Scan the SSD

Launch tools Data Recovery Wizard, select the SSD where you lost data, and then click the "Scan" button.

Step 2: Check the results

After the scan, check the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders and use the "Filter" and "Search" options to restore lost SSD data.

Step 3. Recover Files from SSD

Select the files you need and click on the “Recover” button to get your lost SSD files back.

This tool efficiently recovers photos, documents, and videos from SSD or HDD. The best part about this tool is that it offers a free trial version for you to test, and the paid version comes with three different plans, such as monthly, annual, and lifetime upgrades. Now, let's delve into some of its advantages:

- Supports over 1000 file types - High precision in data recovery - User-friendly, with a simple 3-step process to restore files - Able to recover data from formatted drives

Conclusions

Undoubtedly, we all know the importance of data, and most of us use SSD for advanced storage. However, if you have critical data on your SSD, we recommend not leaving it unpowered for extended periods. But if you accidentally lose important data from your SSD, we suggest using the most reliable and efficient data recovery tool, which is tools Data Recovery Wizard. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section; we'll be glad to assist.