NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies After Component Wear

Has your NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j 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 Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies After Component Wear

Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j 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 DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j. 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 Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j RAID Arrays: Data Recovery Strategies After Component Wear

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.

Can the type of file system used on NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j devices affect data loss risks?

Yes, the type of file system used on NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j devices can affect data loss risks. The file system is responsible for organizing and managing the data stored on the NAS device. Different file systems have varying levels of robustness, reliability, and data protection mechanisms.

For example, the most commonly used file system on Synology NAS devices is the Btrfs (B-tree file system), which offers advanced features like data checksums, snapshots, and data scrubbing. These features help in detecting and recovering from data corruption or disk errors, reducing the risk of data loss.

On the other hand, older file systems like EXT4 or FAT32 may not have the same level of built-in data protection features. They may be more susceptible to data corruption or file system errors, increasing the risk of data loss.

It is important to choose a file system that suits your needs and provides the necessary data protection mechanisms. Additionally, regularly backing up your data to a separate storage device or offsite location is always recommended to mitigate the risk of data loss.

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

Although the NAS DiskStation DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j 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 DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j. 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 DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j has 4 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 DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j 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 DS416 / DS416play / DS416slim / DS416j, 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 and measures provided by the NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series to ensure data security?

    The NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series provides several key features and measures to ensure data security. Some of these features include:

    1. RAID Protection: The DS416 series supports various RAID configurations (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10) to protect against data loss in case of drive failure. This redundancy ensures that data remains accessible even if one or more drives fail.
    2. Data Encryption: The DS416 series supports AES 256-bit encryption, which encrypts the data stored on the NAS. This encryption ensures that even if the drives are physically stolen, the data remains secure and inaccessible without the encryption key.
    3. User Access Control: The DS416 series allows administrators to control access to the NAS by setting up user accounts and assigning different levels of permissions. This ensures that only authorized users can access and modify the data stored on the NAS.
    4. Firewall and IP Blocking: The DS416 series has built-in firewall and IP blocking features to prevent unauthorized access to the NAS. These features help protect against potential attacks and ensure that only trusted devices can connect to the NAS.
    5. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Synology provides a built-in antivirus solution that scans files for viruses and malware. This helps to prevent the NAS from becoming infected and ensures the integrity of the stored data.
    6. Snapshot and Backup: The DS416 series supports the creation of snapshots, which capture the state of the system at a specific point in time. Snapshots can be used to quickly restore data in case of accidental deletion or modification. Additionally, the NAS supports various backup methods, including local backup, remote backup, and cloud backup, providing additional layers of data protection.
    7. Two-Factor Authentication: The DS416 series supports two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security to user accounts. This requires users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a verification code from a mobile app, in addition to their password.

    These features and measures provided by the NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series help ensure the security and integrity of data stored on the device.

  • How does the NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series protect against unauthorized access and potential data breaches?

    The NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series incorporates several security measures to protect against unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Here are some of the key security features:

    1. User Access Control: The DiskStation DS416 series allows administrators to create multiple user accounts with customizable access privileges. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access specific files and folders.
    2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Synology supports 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a second authentication factor, such as a verification code from a mobile app, in addition to their password.
    3. Firewall and IP Blocking: The built-in firewall on the DiskStation DS416 series helps prevent unauthorized access to the system. It also supports IP blocking, allowing administrators to restrict access from specific IP addresses or IP ranges.
    4. Encryption: The NAS supports AES 256-bit encryption for shared folders, ensuring that data stored on the device is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.
    5. HTTPS and SSL/TLS: The DiskStation DS416 series supports HTTPS connections, encrypting data transmitted between the NAS and connected devices. It also supports SSL/TLS certificates for secure remote access.
    6. Antivirus and Malware Protection: Synology provides a built-in antivirus solution that can scan files and folders for potential threats, protecting the NAS from malware and viruses.
    7. Network Intrusion Prevention: The NAS includes a Network Intrusion Prevention System (NIPS) that can detect and block suspicious network traffic, preventing unauthorized access attempts.
    8. Automatic Security Updates: Synology regularly releases security updates and patches to address any vulnerabilities. The DiskStation DS416 series can be set to automatically install these updates, ensuring the system is always up to date with the latest security enhancements.

    It is important to note that while the DiskStation DS416 series incorporates these security features, users should also follow best practices such as using strong passwords, regularly updating firmware, and implementing additional security measures to further protect against unauthorized access and data breaches.

  • Can you explain the backup and disaster recovery options available on the NAS Synology DiskStation DS416 series to safeguard data in case of hardware failure or other emergencies?

    The Synology DiskStation DS416 series offers several backup and disaster recovery options to ensure data safety in case of hardware failure or emergencies. These options include:

    1. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): The DS416 series supports various RAID configurations, such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 10. RAID provides data redundancy by distributing data across multiple drives, so if one drive fails, the data can be rebuilt from the remaining drives.
    2. Snapshot Replication: This feature allows you to take point-in-time snapshots of your data, capturing its state at a specific moment. In case of accidental deletion or data corruption, you can easily restore your files or folders from a previous snapshot.
    3. Hyper Backup: Synology's Hyper Backup application provides a comprehensive backup solution. It allows you to schedule backups to remote destinations, including other Synology NAS devices, external hard drives, cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, or even to another DiskStation at a different location.
    4. USB Copy: With USB Copy, you can connect an external USB drive to the DS416 series and easily create backups by pressing a button. It provides a quick and convenient way to safeguard important data.
    5. Cloud Sync: This feature allows you to sync your data stored on the DS416 series with various cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and more. It ensures that your data is replicated to the cloud, providing an additional layer of protection.
    6. High Availability: The DS416 series supports High Availability (HA) configuration, where two DiskStations are set up in a redundant manner. In case of a hardware failure in one DiskStation, the other takes over seamlessly, ensuring continuous access to data.
    7. External Backup: You can also use the DS416 series as a backup target for other devices on your network. This can be achieved through various backup protocols such as rsync, FTP, or using Synology's own backup applications like Synology Drive or Active Backup.

    These backup and disaster recovery options offered by the Synology DiskStation DS416 series provide a range of choices to safeguard your data and ensure business continuity in case of hardware failure or emergencies.