RAID Array Recovery on NAS QNAP TL-D1600S: How to Handle a Break

Has your NAS QNAP TL-D1600S suddenly lost its network drive and you’re unsure what to do next? Did the RAID array collapse, making your files inaccessible? Is the device throwing errors during startup? Perhaps you accidentally rebuilt the RAID array or several hard drives failed at the same time?

RAID Array Recovery on NAS QNAP TL-D1600S: How to Handle a Break

QNAP TL-D1600S NAS Data Recovery in 2025

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to rebuild your RAID and recover data from an TL-D1600S. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

RAID Array Recovery on NAS QNAP TL-D1600S: How to Handle a Break

RAID Recovery™ 2.8
Recover data from damaged RAID arrays inaccessible from a computer.
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Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like QNAP often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

Can improper shutdown or unclean system reboots lead to data loss on NAS QNAP TL-D1600S devices?

Improper shutdown or unclean system reboots can potentially lead to data loss on NAS QNAP TL-D1600S devices, as with any other storage device. When a system is not shut down properly, there is a risk of data corruption or incomplete write operations. This can result in files becoming unreadable or even lost.

To minimize the risk of data loss, it is important to follow proper shutdown procedures and ensure that any ongoing read/write operations are completed before restarting or shutting down the system. Additionally, regularly backing up important data to an external storage device or cloud service is highly recommended to safeguard against potential data loss.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS TL-D1600S can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

  1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

    WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

  2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

  3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

  4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

    Go to view
    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

    How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

Hetman Raid Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with QNAP TL-D1600S. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

Go to view
How to recover data from a QNAP

How to recover data from a QNAP

TL-D1600S has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 50;
  • RAID 60;
  • RAID 6;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 10;
  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • ZFS;
  • EXT4;
  • EXT3;
  • exFAT;
  • FAT32 (External Disk Only);
  • NTFS (External Disk Only);
  • HFS+ (External Disk Read Only);

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

  • Overwriting during the recovery process;
  • Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
  • User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

  2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

  3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Image Creation Wizard
  4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

    Hetman RAID Recovery: Choose a disk or save the image via FTP

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The QNAP TL-D1600S network-attached storage keeps QTS (QuTS hero) operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Product Operating system RAID controller support Supported file systems Virtual RAID controller support Data recovery from damaged RAID File preview
Hetman RAID Recovery Windows, Linux, MacOS Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext4, Ext3, Ext2, ReiserFS, Btrfs, VMFS, Hikvision, XFS, UFS, ZFS Yes Yes Yes
DiskInternals RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 10 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
R-Studio Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
UFS Explorer RAID Recovery Windows, Mac, Linux Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes
EaseUS Data Recovery Windows Yes, over 20 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ No Yes Yes
ReclaiMe Free RAID Recovery Windows Yes, over 100 controllers FAT, NTFS, Ext2/3/4, HFS+ Yes Yes Yes

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We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (3)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 9.08.2022 12:31 #
    If you want to ask a question about data recovery, from NAS TL-D1600S, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Holbrook Herle
    Holbrook Herle 15.09.2023 07:49 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS QNAP TL-D1600S device be done if the storage disks have bad sectors?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 15.09.2023 09:00 #

      Data recovery from a NAS QNAP TL-D1600S device can be challenging if the storage disks have bad sectors. Bad sectors are physical damage to the disk surface, and they can prevent the system from accessing or recovering data stored on those sectors.

      However, there are still some possibilities for data recovery in such cases:

      1. Professional Data Recovery Services: You can contact professional data recovery services that specialize in recovering data from damaged storage devices. They have specialized tools and techniques to deal with bad sectors and recover data from them. Keep in mind that this option can be expensive.
      2. DIY Data Recovery Software: There are data recovery software programs available that can help recover data from disks with bad sectors. These tools often have features to bypass or skip bad sectors during the recovery process. However, success rates may vary depending on the severity of the damage.

      It is important to note that attempting any data recovery process on your own may further damage the disks or reduce the chances of successful recovery. It is always recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service in such critical situations.

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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is SSH and how does it work?

    SSH, which stands for Secure Shell, is a cryptographic network protocol used for secure communication between two devices over an unsecured network. It provides a secure channel for remote login, file transfer, and other network services.

    SSH works by establishing an encrypted connection between a client and a server. The client initiates the connection by sending a request to the server. The server responds by generating a pair of cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is shared with the client, while the private key remains securely stored on the server.

    Once the keys are exchanged, the client uses the server's public key to encrypt a random session key. This encrypted session key is then sent to the server, which uses its private key to decrypt it. Both the client and server now possess the session key, which is used to encrypt and decrypt the data transmitted between them.

    During the SSH session, all data, including commands, responses, and file transfers, is encrypted using the session key. This ensures that even if someone intercepts the data, they cannot understand or modify it without the session key.

    SSH also provides authentication mechanisms to verify the identity of the server and the client. This is typically done using public key cryptography, where the client presents its public key to the server for verification.

    Overall, SSH provides a secure and encrypted way to access and manage remote devices or servers, protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the communication.

  • How does the NAS QNAP TL-D1600S utilize SSH protocol for secure remote access?

    The NAS QNAP TL-D1600S utilizes the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol for secure remote access by providing a secure channel for communication between the client and the NAS device. Here's how it works:

    1. SSH is a cryptographic network protocol that allows secure remote login and command execution over an unsecured network. It provides strong encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect data transmission.
    2. The QNAP TL-D1600S has an SSH server installed, which allows remote users to connect securely to the NAS device.
    3. To enable SSH access, the administrator needs to configure the SSH server settings on the QNAP NAS. This typically involves enabling the SSH service and setting up user access permissions.
    4. Once the SSH server is configured, remote users can establish an SSH connection to the NAS device using an SSH client application.
    5. The SSH client initiates the connection by providing the IP address or hostname of the NAS device and the appropriate credentials (username and password or SSH key).
    6. The SSH server on the QNAP NAS verifies the credentials and establishes a secure connection with the client.
    7. All data transmitted between the client and the NAS device is encrypted using strong cryptographic algorithms, ensuring that it cannot be intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized parties.
    8. Once the SSH connection is established, remote users can securely access the command-line interface (CLI) of the NAS device and execute various commands and operations remotely.

    Overall, the QNAP TL-D1600S utilizes the SSH protocol to provide secure remote access to the NAS device, protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the network.

  • What are the benefits and security features of using SSH in the NAS QNAP TL-D1600S?

    Using SSH (Secure Shell) in the QNAP TL-D1600S NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device offers several benefits and security features:

    1. Secure Remote Access: SSH provides secure remote access to the NAS device over an encrypted connection. It ensures that data transmitted between the client and the NAS remains confidential and protected from eavesdropping or interception.
    2. Encrypted Data Transfer: SSH encrypts all data transferred between the client and the NAS, preventing unauthorized access or tampering. This is particularly important when transferring sensitive or confidential data over the network.
    3. Authentication and Access Control: SSH uses public-key cryptography or password-based authentication to verify the identity of the client connecting to the NAS. This ensures that only authorized users can access the system, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access.
    4. Secure File Transfer: SSH supports secure file transfer protocols like SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and SCP (Secure Copy) for transferring files between the client and the NAS. These protocols provide encryption and integrity checks, ensuring the data remains secure during transit.
    5. Remote Management: SSH allows administrators to remotely manage and configure the NAS device using command-line access. This enables advanced configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring capabilities without the need for physical access to the device.
    6. Firewall-Friendly: SSH uses a single port (default: port 22) for both authentication and data transfer, making it firewall-friendly. It simplifies network configuration and allows SSH traffic to pass through firewalls or network security devices easily.
    7. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): QNAP NAS devices often support two-factor authentication, including SSH. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second authentication factor, typically a time-based one-time password (OTP) generated by a mobile app or hardware token.
    8. IP Access Control: QNAP NAS devices usually provide IP access control lists (ACLs) for SSH, allowing administrators to specify which IP addresses or ranges are allowed to connect via SSH. This helps restrict access to trusted networks or specific devices, further enhancing security.
    9. Audit Logs: SSH servers on QNAP NAS devices typically maintain detailed audit logs of SSH sessions, including login attempts, successful connections, and command execution. These logs can be useful for monitoring and investigation purposes, helping detect any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts.

    Overall, using SSH in the QNAP TL-D1600S NAS provides secure remote access, encrypted data transfer, authentication mechanisms, and advanced management capabilities, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data stored on the device.