Data recovery cost depends mainly on what kind of failure the drive has, how big and what type of device it is, and how much effort the recovery takes. A file deleted by mistake or a drive that Windows cannot read is usually the cheapest case. A drive with a mechanical or circuit fault costs more because it needs specialist handling. The most useful thing you can do before asking for a quote is to stop using the device. At Xigox the inspection is ₹350, and if nothing can be recovered there is no recovery fee.
Prices vary because the cases vary so much. Two drives of the same size can need very different work, and a figure quoted without looking at the device is a guess. This guide explains what moves the price, how to read a recovery quote, what to do in the first hour and which steps to avoid. It does not print a rate, because the live figures sit on our price list.
The two kinds of failure
Logical failure. The drive works, but the information that tells the computer where the files are has been lost or damaged. Causes include an accidental delete or format, a corrupted file system, a drive that shows as RAW and a virus. These are usually handled with specialist software and are generally the lower-cost cases.
Physical failure. Something in the drive has broken: the read heads, the platters or motors in a hard disk, the memory chips or controller in an SSD or a pen drive, or the circuit board. The drive may click, not spin, not be detected or disappear. These cases need the device to be examined and repaired in controlled conditions, which takes more time and skill and costs more.
What decides the price
- The type of failure. Logical cases sit at the lower end, physical cases at the upper end.
- The type of device. Hard disks, SSDs, pen drives, memory cards and laptops with soldered storage each have their own methods. SSDs and pen drives often cost more to recover than comparable hard disks because the data sits on chips and is controlled by firmware.
- The capacity and how much needs recovering. A bigger drive takes longer to read, and a drive with many bad areas takes longer still.
- Encryption. A drive protected by BitLocker or a similar system can only be read with the password or the recovery key. Without it, recovery is not possible whatever the price.
- The condition of the drive. A drive used further after the fault appeared is harder to recover than one switched off straight away.
- Urgency. Some providers charge more for a rush job than for one with time to spare.
Why deleted files on an SSD are harder
On a hard disk, a deleted file's data often stays on the surface until something overwrites it, so recovery has a fair chance if you stop using the drive. Most modern SSDs use a feature called TRIM, which clears deleted data to keep the drive fast. Once it has run, the data may be gone for good. That is why the advice for an SSD is the same, but more urgent: switch it off and do not keep working on it.
What to do in the first hour
- Stop using the device. Every write reduces what can be recovered. Do not save, install or copy anything to it.
- Do not format, reinstall or initialise. Formatting is the most common way people make a recoverable case harder.
- Do not run repair tools on a drive that clicks or disappears. They write to the drive and can damage it more.
- Disconnect it. Unplug an external drive. For a laptop, shut it down and leave it off.
- Write down what happened. Note what you were doing, any noises and any error messages. It helps the technician.
- Keep any passwords and recovery keys ready. They are needed for encrypted drives.
Our guides on an external hard drive that is not showing up, on recovering data from a dead laptop and on the signs a hard drive is failing cover the common situations.
How to read a data recovery quote
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is this a logical or a physical fault, and how do you know? | It tells you why the price is what it is |
| What will you recover, and can I see what is recoverable before I pay? | A list of recoverable files avoids paying for nothing |
| What happens if nothing can be recovered? | A clear answer protects you from paying for a failed attempt |
| Is there a fee for the inspection, and is it separate? | You should know what you pay before the work begins |
| How long will it take? | Ask for a date, because physical cases take longer |
| Where will the recovered files be delivered? | They should go to a separate drive, not back onto the failing one |
| What are your privacy practices? | Your drive holds personal files, and you should know who handles them |
Be careful with anyone who promises full recovery before seeing the device, or who asks for the full payment before telling you what is recoverable. No provider can know in advance.
Prevention is cheaper
The cheapest recovery is the one you never need. Keep at least two copies of anything important, with one stored away from the device. Our backup guide and the one on external SSDs for backup help you plan it. A backup costs a fraction of a recovery, and it does not depend on the failed drive surviving. Test that you can restore from it.
How we handle it
You can book through a call or WhatsApp, and we collect the device within 2 hours. The inspection costs ₹350, as it does for every service. The technician explains what the inspection found, including whether the fault looks logical or physical, and the quote follows. If nothing can be recovered there is no recovery fee, and you pay only the inspection. The data recovery page explains the service, and you can start from laptop repair near me or computer repair near me to find the nearest branch.
If you are in Thane, our guide on choosing a data recovery service in Thane covers the questions to ask there as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is data recovery always possible?
No. Success depends on the failure and on what has been done to the device since. Anyone who promises a result before seeing it is not being straight with you.
Is it cheaper to recover from a hard disk or an SSD?
Hard disks with logical faults are usually the more economical cases. SSDs and pen drives often need more specialist work, and deleted data on an SSD may be gone because of TRIM.
Can you recover files after a factory reset or a Windows reinstall?
Sometimes, if nothing has been written to the drive since, and on an SSD the chance is lower. Stop using the device and bring it in as soon as you can.
Will you get all my files back?
We tell you what the inspection found before you decide on the work. We cannot promise more than the device allows.
