Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N16000PRO and Recovering Deleted Files: Best Practices

Has your NAS Thecus N16000PRO 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?

Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N16000PRO and Recovering Deleted Files: Best Practices

Thecus N16000PRO 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 N16000PRO. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Preventing Data Loss on NAS Thecus N16000PRO and Recovering Deleted Files: Best Practices

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 Thecus 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 configuration of network settings or IP addresses result in data loss on NAS Thecus N16000PRO devices?

Yes, improper configuration of network settings or IP addresses can potentially result in data loss on NAS Thecus N16000PRO devices. If the network settings are not properly configured, it can lead to connectivity issues, making it difficult to access or transfer data to and from the NAS device. Additionally, incorrect IP address configuration can cause conflicts or prevent proper communication between the NAS device and other network devices, potentially leading to data loss or corruption. It is important to ensure that network settings and IP addresses are correctly configured to maintain proper functionality and prevent any potential data loss.

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

Although the NAS N16000PRO 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 Thecus N16000PRO. 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 Thecus

How to recover data from a Thecus

N16000PRO has 16 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

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

NAS supports:

  • EXT3;
  • EXT4;
  • XFS;

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 Thecus N16000PRO network-attached storage keeps OS Linux 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 N16000PRO, feel free to leave a comment!
  • Brooks Keith-Lucas
    Brooks Keith-Lucas 13.09.2023 21:45 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS Thecus N16000PRO device be done if the device is showing signs of hardware failure?
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 13.09.2023 21:59 #

      It is possible to recover data from a NAS device even if it is showing signs of hardware failure. However, the success of the data recovery process will depend on the extent of the hardware failure and the specific situation. In some cases, it may be necessary to consult a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices to recover the data.

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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 necessary steps to access files on the NAS Thecus N16000PRO from a remote location?

    To access files on Thecus N16000PRO NAS from a remote location, you need to follow these necessary steps:

    1. Ensure the NAS is properly set up and connected to your network with a valid IP address.
    2. Configure network settings on the NAS, including port forwarding and dynamic DNS (DDNS) if necessary. This allows you to access the NAS remotely.
    3. Enable remote access on the NAS by configuring the appropriate settings. This typically involves enabling FTP, SSH, or other remote access protocols.
    4. Set up user accounts and permissions on the NAS to control access to files and folders remotely.
    5. Install and configure a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on the NAS if you want to establish a secure connection from a remote location.
    6. Make sure the NAS firmware is up to date to ensure compatibility and security.
    7. Configure your router or firewall to allow incoming connections to the NAS from the internet. This involves setting up port forwarding rules to redirect specific ports to the NAS.
    8. Obtain the public IP address of your network. You can find this by searching "What is my IP" on a search engine.
    9. Use a remote access client or software to connect to the NAS from a remote location. This can be an FTP client, SSH client, or Thecus-specific software like Thecus Connect or Thecus Dashboard.
    10. Enter the appropriate connection details, including the public IP address or DDNS hostname, port number, username, and password to establish a remote connection.
    11. Once connected, you should be able to access and manage files on the NAS as if you were locally connected.

    Please note that the specific steps may vary depending on your network setup, NAS configuration, and the software or client you are using for remote access. It is recommended to refer to the NAS manufacturer's documentation or support resources for detailed instructions.

  • Can you explain the security measures in place to ensure safe file access on the NAS Thecus N16000PRO from a remote location?

    The Thecus N16000PRO NAS (Network Attached Storage) device provides several security measures to ensure safe file access from a remote location. Here are some of the key security features:

    1. Secure Remote Access: The NAS supports secure remote access protocols such as SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) encryption. This ensures that the data transmitted between the remote location and the NAS is encrypted, preventing unauthorized access or interception.
    2. VPN Support: The NAS has built-in support for Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. VPNs create a secure and encrypted tunnel between the remote location and the NAS, allowing users to access files securely as if they were on the same local network.
    3. Access Control: Thecus NAS devices offer robust access control mechanisms. Administrators can create user accounts with specific permissions and access rights, ensuring that only authorized users can access files remotely. Access control lists (ACLs) can be set up to define user-level or group-level permissions.
    4. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The NAS supports two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security. Users can enable 2FA, which requires them to provide a second form of authentication (such as a mobile app-generated code) in addition to their password when accessing files remotely.
    5. Firewall and IP Blocking: The NAS has a built-in firewall to protect against unauthorized access attempts. It can also block specific IP addresses or ranges to prevent potential threats or brute-force attacks.
    6. Data Encryption: Thecus NAS devices support data encryption at rest. Users can enable encryption for specific folders or the entire NAS, ensuring that data stored on the device is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.
    7. Auditing and Logging: The NAS maintains detailed logs and auditing capabilities, allowing administrators to monitor and track file access activities. This helps in identifying any suspicious or unauthorized access attempts.

    It is important to note that while the Thecus N16000PRO provides robust security measures, it is also crucial for users to follow best practices such as using strong passwords, regularly updating firmware, and keeping backups of important files to ensure overall data security.

  • Are there any specific limitations or requirements for accessing files on the NAS Thecus N16000PRO from a remote location, such as network configurations or software compatibility?

    To access files on the Thecus N16000PRO NAS from a remote location, there are a few limitations and requirements to consider:

    1. Network Configuration: You need to have a stable internet connection with sufficient upload and download speeds. The NAS should be connected to a router or modem that is properly configured to allow remote access.
    2. Port Forwarding: You may need to set up port forwarding on your router to allow external access to the NAS. By default, the NAS uses port 8080 for HTTP and port 443 for HTTPS. Ensure that these ports are open and forwarded to the NAS's internal IP address.
    3. Dynamic DNS: If your internet connection has a dynamic IP address (which changes periodically), you will need to set up a dynamic DNS service. This service associates a domain name with your changing IP address, allowing you to access the NAS using a static domain name instead of the changing IP.
    4. VPN: It is recommended to set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for secure remote access. A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your remote device and the NAS, ensuring that your data remains secure during transmission.
    5. Software Compatibility: The Thecus N16000PRO supports various file sharing protocols such as SMB, AFP, FTP, and NFS. Ensure that the remote device you are using supports these protocols or has appropriate software to access the files on the NAS.
    6. User Permissions: Configure user permissions on the NAS to control access to specific files or folders remotely. This ensures that only authorized users can access the files.

    It is essential to consult the user manual or documentation provided by Thecus for specific instructions on remote access setup, as the process may vary based on firmware versions and configurations.