NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Consequences, and Data Recovery

Has your NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U 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?

NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Consequences, and Data Recovery

QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U 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 Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Consequences, and Data Recovery

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 the use of redundant power supplies reduce the chances of data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U devices?

Yes, the use of redundant power supplies can help reduce the chances of data loss on NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U devices. Redundant power supplies provide backup power in case one power supply fails, ensuring continuous operation of the device. This helps prevent unexpected shutdowns or power surges that could potentially lead to data loss. By having redundant power supplies, the NAS device remains powered and operational even if one power supply fails, minimizing the risk of data loss.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U 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 Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U. 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

Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U has 4 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

  • ZFS;
  • EXT4;
  • EXT3;
  • 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 Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U 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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  • 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 Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U, feel free to leave a comment!
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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 are the different file access security features available on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U?

    The QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U NAS (Network Attached Storage) device offers several file access security features. Some of the key features include:

    1. User and Group Management: The NAS allows you to create and manage user accounts and groups. You can assign different access permissions to each user or group, controlling their ability to read, write, or execute files.
    2. Shared Folder Permissions: You can set specific access permissions for each shared folder on the NAS. This allows you to control who can access and modify the files within each folder.
    3. Access Control List (ACL): The NAS supports ACL, which enables more granular control over file access permissions. With ACL, you can set permissions for individual users or groups on specific files and folders.
    4. Windows Active Directory (AD) Integration: The Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U can integrate with an existing Windows Active Directory domain. This allows you to leverage your existing AD infrastructure for user authentication and access control.
    5. IP Access Control: You can restrict access to the NAS based on IP addresses or ranges. This feature allows you to specify which IP addresses are allowed or denied access to the NAS.
    6. HTTPS and SSL/TLS Encryption: The NAS supports HTTPS (HTTP over SSL/TLS) for secure web-based file access. This ensures that data transmitted between the NAS and clients is encrypted and secure.
    7. File-Level Encryption: The Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U supports file-level encryption, allowing you to encrypt specific files or folders. This provides an additional layer of security for sensitive data.
    8. Antivirus Protection: QNAP NAS devices come with built-in antivirus software that can scan files for malware and viruses. This helps to protect your data from potential threats.

    These are some of the file access security features available on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U NAS. The device offers a comprehensive set of tools to secure your files and control access to them.

  • How can users ensure secure file access and prevent unauthorized access on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U?

    To ensure secure file access and prevent unauthorized access on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U, users can follow these steps:

    1. Change the default admin password: The first step is to change the default admin password to a strong, unique password. This will prevent unauthorized access to the NAS.
    2. Enable and configure firewall settings: The NAS should have a built-in firewall that can be enabled and configured to restrict access from external networks. Users should review and customize the firewall settings to allow only necessary network traffic.
    3. Create user accounts with strong passwords: Create individual user accounts for each person who needs access to the NAS. Ensure that each account has a strong password that is not easily guessable.
    4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): QNAP NAS devices support 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security. Enable this feature and require users to authenticate using a second factor, such as a mobile app or a physical security key.
    5. Set up access control lists (ACLs): Use access control lists to define which users or groups have access to specific folders or files on the NAS. This allows fine-grained control over file access permissions.
    6. Enable network encryption: QNAP NAS devices support protocols like SSL/TLS to encrypt network traffic. Enable encryption to secure data transmission between the NAS and connected devices.
    7. Regularly update firmware and applications: Keep the NAS firmware and installed applications up to date to ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched.
    8. Enable and configure IP blocking: Use the IP blocking feature to block suspicious IP addresses or repeated failed login attempts. This helps prevent unauthorized access attempts.
    9. Disable unnecessary services: Disable any unnecessary services or protocols on the NAS to reduce the attack surface. Only enable the services that are required for your specific use case.
    10. Regularly backup data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your data is protected in case of any security incidents or hardware failures.

    By following these steps, users can enhance the security of their QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U NAS and prevent unauthorized access to their files.

  • Can the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U be integrated with existing authentication systems for enhanced file access security?

    Yes, the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-420 / TS-420U can be integrated with existing authentication systems for enhanced file access security. It supports various authentication methods such as Windows Active Directory (AD), LDAP directory services, and local user accounts. By integrating with these systems, the NAS can leverage existing user accounts and access permissions, making it easier to manage and control file access for users within the organization.