NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Effects, and Data Recovery

Has your NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U 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-431U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Effects, and Data Recovery
Data Recovery Tool

QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U 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-431U. 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-431U RAID Controller Failure: Causes, Effects, 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 a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) help minimize data loss risks during power outages or disruptions for NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U devices?

Yes, the use of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) can help minimize data loss risks during power outages or disruptions for NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U devices. A UPS provides backup power to the NAS device, allowing it to continue operating even when the main power source is unavailable. This ensures that the NAS can gracefully shut down or continue running until power is restored, reducing the risk of data loss or corruption. Additionally, a UPS can also protect the NAS from power surges or fluctuations, which can damage the device or its components.

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

Although the NAS Turbo Station TS-431U 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-431U. 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-431U 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-431U 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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Comments (1)

  • 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-431U, 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 steps to access files on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U from a remote location?

    To access files on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U from a remote location, you can follow these steps:

    1. Set up the NAS: Connect the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U to your network and configure it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure it has internet connectivity.
    2. Enable remote access: Log in to the NAS web interface using the administrator account. Go to "Control Panel" > "System Settings" > "General Settings" > "Network Services" and enable services like FTP, SFTP, or WebDAV for remote file access. Make sure to configure appropriate security settings.
    3. Configure port forwarding: If your NAS is behind a router, you may need to set up port forwarding to allow remote access. Access your router's administration panel and forward the necessary ports (e.g., FTP port 21, SFTP port 22, or WebDAV port 5005) to the NAS's local IP address.
    4. Set up dynamic DNS (optional): If your internet service provider assigns you a dynamic IP address, consider setting up a dynamic DNS service. This allows you to access your NAS using a domain name instead of the changing IP address.
    5. Configure firewall settings: Ensure that your NAS's firewall allows incoming connections on the necessary ports for remote access. You may need to add specific rules to allow traffic from your remote location.
    6. Secure remote access: It is recommended to use secure protocols like SFTP or VPN to access your files remotely. Enable encryption and strong passwords to protect your data during transmission.
    7. Access files remotely: From your remote location, open a file browser or FTP client and enter the public IP address or dynamic DNS domain name of your NAS. Use the appropriate protocol (e.g., FTP, SFTP, or WebDAV) and enter your NAS login credentials to access your files.

    Note: The exact steps may vary depending on the specific configuration of your NAS and network environment. It is recommended to refer to the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U's user manual or consult the QNAP support website for detailed instructions.

  • Are there any specific security measures or settings that need to be configured to ensure secure remote access to files on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U?

    Yes, there are several security measures and settings that you can configure to ensure secure remote access to files on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U NAS. Here are some important ones:

    1. Enable HTTPS: Use HTTPS (HTTP over SSL/TLS) instead of HTTP for secure communication. Go to "Control Panel" > "System Settings" > "General Settings" > "Security" and enable HTTPS.
    2. Set Strong Passwords: Ensure that you have a strong password for your NAS admin account and any other user accounts. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
    3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for an additional layer of security. It requires users to provide a second verification factor, such as a code from a mobile app, along with their password.
    4. Configure Firewall: Set up a firewall on your NAS to block unauthorized access. Go to "Control Panel" > "System Settings" > "Security" > "Firewall" to configure firewall settings.
    5. Use VPN for Remote Access: Set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your NAS to establish a secure connection when accessing files remotely. This ensures that your data is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping.
    6. Enable Network Access Protection: Go to "Control Panel" > "System Settings" > "Security" > "Network Access Protection" and configure settings to limit access to your NAS based on IP addresses or subnets.
    7. Regularly Update Firmware: Keep your NAS firmware up to date to ensure that you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. Check for updates regularly and install them when available.
    8. Disable Unnecessary Services: Disable any unnecessary services or features on your NAS that you do not use. This reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of vulnerabilities.
    9. Enable Network Recycle Bin: Enable the Network Recycle Bin feature to prevent accidental deletion of files and provide an additional layer of data protection.
    10. Regularly Backup Data: Implement a regular backup strategy to ensure that your files are protected in case of any unforeseen events or security breaches.

    Remember to review the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U user manual and consult the QNAP support website for detailed instructions on configuring these security measures and settings specific to your NAS model.

  • Are there any limitations or restrictions when accessing files on the NAS QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U from a remote location, such as file size or transfer speed?

    When accessing files on the QNAP Turbo Station TS-431U from a remote location, there may be some limitations or restrictions to consider. Here are a few:

    1. Bandwidth: The speed of file transfers will depend on the available bandwidth of the remote location and the NAS itself. If the remote location has limited upload or download speeds, it may affect the transfer speed.
    2. Internet Connection: The stability and quality of the internet connection at both the remote location and the NAS will impact the file transfer process. If the connection is unstable or intermittent, it may affect the transfer speed and reliability.
    3. File Size: There is typically no inherent file size limitation when accessing files on the NAS from a remote location. However, the transfer speed may be affected if you are transferring large files due to the bandwidth limitations mentioned earlier.
    4. Network Configuration: The network configuration and settings of the NAS and the remote location's network infrastructure may affect remote file access. Firewalls, port forwarding, or VPN configurations may need to be properly set up to enable remote access.
    5. User Permissions: The NAS may have user permission settings that restrict or limit access to certain files or folders. Ensure that the appropriate permissions are set to allow remote access to the desired files.

    It is important to note that these limitations or restrictions may vary depending on the specific configuration and settings of the NAS, the remote location's network, and the internet connection quality.
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