RAID Controller Failure on NAS Synology DiskStation DS1813+: Recovery Options and Data Recovery Strategies

Has your NAS Synology DiskStation DS1813+ 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 Controller Failure on NAS Synology DiskStation DS1813+: Recovery Options and Data Recovery Strategies
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Synology DiskStation DS1813+ 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 DiskStation DS1813+. 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 Controller Failure on NAS Synology DiskStation DS1813+: Recovery Options and Data Recovery Strategies

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 Synology 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.

Are there any security vulnerabilities that can result in data loss for NAS Synology DiskStation DS1813+ devices?

Yes, there have been security vulnerabilities in the past that could potentially result in data loss for Synology DiskStation DS1813+ devices. It is important to regularly update the firmware and software on your NAS device to protect against known vulnerabilities. Additionally, it is recommended to follow best practices for securing your NAS, such as using strong passwords, enabling firewall settings, and restricting access to your device.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS1813+ 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 Synology DiskStation DS1813+. 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 Synology

How to recover data from a Synology

DiskStation DS1813+ has 8 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR);
  • RAID 6;
  • RAID 5;
  • RAID 10;
  • RAID 1;
  • RAID 0;
  • Basic;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • Btrfs;
  • EXT4;
  • EXT3 (External Disk Only);
  • FAT32 (External Disk Only);
  • exFAT (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 Synology DiskStation DS1813+ network-attached storage keeps DSM (DiskStation Manager) 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 DiskStation DS1813+, 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 key features of the Synology DiskStation DS1813+ NAS?

    The key features of the Synology DiskStation DS1813+ NAS are as follows:

    1. High storage capacity: It supports up to eight 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives or solid-state drives, allowing for a maximum raw capacity of 112TB (with 14TB drives).
    2. Scalability: The DS1813+ offers the ability to expand storage capacity by connecting up to two Synology DX513 expansion units, providing a total of 18 drive bays.
    3. High performance: It is powered by a dual-core 2.13GHz processor and 2GB of RAM (expandable up to 4GB), ensuring fast data access and efficient multitasking.
    4. Dual LAN ports: It features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports that support link aggregation and failover, providing increased network bandwidth and redundancy.
    5. Versatile connectivity: The NAS offers four USB 3.0 ports and two eSATA ports, allowing for easy connection to external devices such as printers, USB drives, or additional storage expansion units.
    6. RAID support: It supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and JBOD), providing data redundancy and protection against drive failures.
    7. Data protection and backup: The DS1813+ includes advanced data protection features like Snapshot Replication, which allows for point-in-time recovery, and Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), which optimizes storage capacity and protects against drive failures.
    8. Virtualization support: It is VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft Hyper-V certified, enabling seamless integration with virtualization environments.
    9. Comprehensive file and sharing management: It offers a range of file sharing protocols (SMB, AFP, NFS, FTP, and WebDAV) and supports Windows AD and LDAP for easy integration into existing network environments.
    10. Advanced security features: The NAS provides robust security measures such as AES 256-bit encryption, firewall, and IP blocking to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.
    11. Rich application ecosystem: It runs on Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, which offers a wide range of applications for file management, multimedia streaming, surveillance, and more.
    12. Energy-efficient design: The DS1813+ is designed to be energy-efficient, consuming only 75.6W during full operation and 36.8W in HDD hibernation mode.

    Overall, the Synology DiskStation DS1813+ NAS offers high storage capacity, performance, scalability, and a comprehensive set of features, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses or advanced home users requiring a reliable and versatile network storage solution.

  • How does the Synology DiskStation DS1813+ ensure data security and protection?

    The Synology DiskStation DS1813+ ensures data security and protection through several features and mechanisms:

    1. RAID Protection: The DS1813+ supports various RAID configurations (including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10) to provide redundancy and protect against data loss in case of drive failures.
    2. Disk Encryption: The DS1813+ supports AES 256-bit encryption, allowing you to encrypt the data stored on the drives. This ensures that even if the drives are stolen or accessed without authorization, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible.
    3. User Access Control: The DiskStation has comprehensive user access control mechanisms, including user account management, customizable user privileges, and two-factor authentication. This allows you to control who can access the data and what actions they can perform.
    4. Firewall and IP Blocking: The DS1813+ has a built-in firewall that can be configured to block unauthorized access attempts from specific IP addresses or IP ranges. This helps protect against external attacks.
    5. Network Security: The DiskStation supports various network security protocols, including SSL/TLS encryption, IPsec VPN, and firewall rules, ensuring secure communication between the DiskStation and other devices on the network.
    6. Data Backup and Snapshot: The DS1813+ provides various backup options, including local backups to external drives or other Synology devices, remote backups to cloud storage services, and snapshot technology that allows you to take point-in-time snapshots of data for quick recovery in case of accidental deletion or modification.
    7. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Synology offers built-in antivirus and malware scanning capabilities, allowing you to regularly scan the files stored on the DiskStation and detect any potential threats.
    8. System Updates: Synology regularly releases firmware updates that include security patches and bug fixes. By keeping the DiskStation up to date with the latest software, you ensure that any known vulnerabilities are addressed.

    Overall, the combination of RAID protection, disk encryption, user access control, network security, data backup options, antivirus protection, and regular system updates helps ensure data security and protection on the Synology DiskStation DS1813+.

  • Can you explain the scalability options and expandability features of the Synology DiskStation DS1813+?

    The Synology DiskStation DS1813+ is a network-attached storage (NAS) device that offers various scalability options and expandability features to meet growing storage needs. Some of the key features include:

    1. Storage Capacity: The DS1813+ comes with 8 drive bays, allowing you to install up to 8 hard drives or solid-state drives (SSDs). This provides a significant amount of storage space initially, and you can utilize various RAID configurations (including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10) to optimize data protection and performance.
    2. Expansion Units: If the 8 drive bays are not sufficient, you can expand the storage capacity by connecting up to two DX513 expansion units. Each DX513 unit provides an additional 5 drive bays, allowing you to add up to 10 more drives to the DS1813+.
    3. High Capacity Drives: The DS1813+ supports large-capacity drives, including 16TB drives, which allows for a maximum raw storage capacity of 160TB (with 10TB drives) when fully expanded with the DX513 units.
    4. SSD Cache: To enhance performance, the DS1813+ supports SSD caching. By installing SSDs as cache drives, frequently accessed data can be stored in the faster SSDs, resulting in improved read and write speeds.
    5. RAM Upgrade: The DS1813+ comes with 2GB of RAM by default, but it can be expanded to a maximum of 4GB. Increasing the RAM can improve the overall system performance, especially when handling multiple concurrent tasks and running resource-intensive applications.
    6. Expansion Ports: The DS1813+ features two expansion ports that allow you to connect additional Synology expansion units or other compatible devices for further expansion or functionality.
    7. Virtualization Support: The DS1813+ is compatible with various virtualization technologies, including VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft Hyper-V. This allows you to integrate the NAS into existing virtualization environments, providing storage for virtual machines.
    8. Synology DSM: The DS1813+ runs on Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) operating system, which offers a wide range of built-in applications and third-party packages. DSM provides a user-friendly interface and allows for easy management and customization of the NAS.

    Overall, the DS1813+ offers a flexible and scalable storage solution, allowing you to expand the capacity, improve performance, and integrate into existing IT environments as your storage needs grow.
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