Steps to Avoid Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror and Recover Deleted Files

Has your NAS WD My Cloud Mirror 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?

Steps to Avoid Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror and Recover Deleted Files
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WD My Cloud Mirror 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 My Cloud Mirror. We’ll walk through the most common causes of failure and demonstrate proven methods to restore files from a lost or degraded RAID array.

Steps to Avoid Data Loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror and Recover Deleted Files

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 WD 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 overheating or improper ventilation cause data loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror devices?

Yes, overheating or improper ventilation can potentially cause data loss on NAS WD My Cloud Mirror devices. NAS devices, including the WD My Cloud Mirror, contain hard drives that generate heat during operation. If the device is not properly ventilated or the cooling system is inadequate, the excessive heat can lead to hard drive failure or data corruption, resulting in data loss.

Heat can reduce the lifespan of the hard drives and increase the likelihood of read/write errors. It can also cause damage to other components inside the NAS device, further increasing the risk of data loss. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure proper ventilation and cooling for NAS devices to maintain optimal operating temperatures and prevent potential data loss.

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

Although the NAS My Cloud Mirror 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 WD My Cloud Mirror. 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 WD

How to recover data from a WD

My Cloud Mirror has 2 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

  • RAID 0;
  • RAID 1;
  • JBOD;

NAS supports:

  • Ext2;
  • Ext3;
  • Ext4;

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 WD My Cloud Mirror 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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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 My Cloud Mirror, feel free to leave a comment!
    Reply
  • Hal Addinall
    Hal Addinall 12.09.2023 00:39 #
    Can data recovery from a NAS WD My Cloud Mirror device be done if the device is showing signs of disk or storage media errors?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 12.09.2023 02:00 #

      Yes, data recovery from a NAS WD My Cloud Mirror device can be done even if the device is showing signs of disk or storage media errors. However, it is important to note that data recovery from a faulty NAS device can be a complex and delicate process. It is recommended to consult with a professional data recovery service that specializes in NAS devices to ensure the best chances of successful recovery. Attempting DIY recovery methods without proper knowledge or expertise may further damage the data or make it unrecoverable.

      Reply
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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

  • How do I access the settings menu on my WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device?

    To access the settings menu on your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device, follow these steps:

    1. Connect your computer or mobile device to the same network as your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device.
    2. Open a web browser on your computer or launch the My Cloud app on your mobile device.
    3. Enter the IP address or device name of your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device in the address bar of your web browser or select the device from the list in the My Cloud app.
    4. Press Enter or tap on the device name to access the login page.
    5. Enter your username and password to log in to the device.
    6. Once logged in, you will be directed to the dashboard or home page of your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device.
    7. Look for a settings icon or menu option, usually represented by a gear or cog symbol. Click on it to access the settings menu.
    8. In the settings menu, you will find various options to configure and customize your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device. Explore the different categories and subcategories to access specific settings.
    9. Make the desired changes to the settings as per your requirements.
    10. After making the necessary changes, remember to save or apply the settings before exiting the menu.

    Note: The exact steps and appearance of the settings menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and interface of your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device.

  • What are the available options and configurations in the settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror NAS?

    The settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror NAS offers a variety of options and configurations. Some of the available options include:

    1. General Settings:
      • Device Name: Allows you to change the name of your NAS device.
      • Language: Choose the preferred language for the user interface.
      • Time Zone: Set the correct time zone for your location.
      • Firmware Update: Check for and install firmware updates for your NAS.
    2. Network Settings:
      • Network Mode: Choose between DHCP (automatically obtain IP address) or Static IP (manually set IP address).
      • Port Forwarding: Configure port forwarding to access your NAS from outside your local network.
      • DNS: Set up DNS servers for your NAS.
    3. Users:
      • User Management: Create, modify, or delete user accounts with different access privileges.
      • Group Management: Create and manage groups to assign permissions to multiple users simultaneously.
    4. Shares:
      • Share Management: Create and manage shared folders on your NAS.
      • Access Control: Set permissions for individual users or groups for each shared folder.
      • Quotas: Set storage limits for individual users or groups.
    5. Cloud Access:
      • Cloud Access: Enable or disable remote access to your NAS through the My Cloud mobile app or web portal.
      • Cloud Services: Connect your NAS to popular cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
    6. Media:
      • DLNA Media Server: Enable or disable the built-in DLNA server to stream media to DLNA-compatible devices.
      • iTunes Server: Enable or disable the iTunes server to stream media to iTunes clients.
      • Media Streaming: Configure media streaming options for supported file types.
    7. Backup:
      • Backup: Set up backup tasks to automatically back up data from your NAS to external storage or another NAS.
      • Safepoints: Create and manage safepoints, which are complete backups of your NAS data.
    8. Notifications:
      • Email Notifications: Configure email notifications for various events like system alerts or backup completion.
      • Event Logging: View and manage system event logs.
    9. Utilities:
      • System Factory Restore: Restore the NAS to its factory settings.
      • System Diagnostics: Run diagnostics tests to check the health and performance of your NAS.
      • Energy Saver: Configure power-saving options for your NAS.

    These are just some of the available options and configurations in the settings menu of the WD My Cloud Mirror NAS. The exact options may vary depending on the firmware version and specific model of the NAS.

  • How can I customize the backup and synchronization settings on my WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device?

    To customize the backup and synchronization settings on your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device, you can follow these steps:

    1. Access the WD My Cloud Mirror Dashboard: Open a web browser and enter the IP address or hostname of your NAS device. You can find this information in the user manual or use the WD Discovery tool to locate your device on the network.
    2. Login to the Dashboard: Enter your username and password to log in to the WD My Cloud Mirror Dashboard.
    3. Navigate to the Backup/Sync section: Once logged in, click on the "Backup/Sync" tab or section in the Dashboard.
    4. Configure Backup/Sync settings: In this section, you can customize various backup and synchronization settings. Some common settings include:
      • Selecting the source and destination folders: Choose the folders you want to back up or synchronize. You can select specific folders or the entire NAS device.
      • Setting up backup/sync schedule: Define the frequency and timing of backups or synchronization. You can choose daily, weekly, or specific days of the week, along with the desired time.
      • Choosing the backup/sync method: Decide whether you want to perform a full backup/sync or incremental backups/syncs. Incremental backups/syncs only copy new or modified files, while full backups/syncs copy all files each time.
      • Selecting backup/sync options: Depending on the NAS device model and firmware version, you may have additional options like encryption, compression, or versioning. Enable or configure these options as per your requirements.
      • Configuring destination settings: If you are backing up or synchronizing to an external device or cloud storage, you may need to configure the destination settings. This includes providing login credentials or configuring the connection details.
    5. Save and apply the settings: Once you have customized all the desired backup/sync settings, click on the "Apply" or "Save" button to save the changes.

    Note: The exact steps and options may vary slightly depending on the model and firmware version of your WD My Cloud Mirror NAS device. It is recommended to refer to the user manual or official documentation for detailed instructions specific to your device.
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