SSD Data Recovery
Samsung Elpis Controller Data RecoverySamsung 980 PRO / Samsung PM9A1 (OEM equivalent) / Late 970 EVO Plus revisions
Samsung's Elpis controller powers the 980 PRO and PM9A1 OEM drives. The well-documented 980 PRO firmware bug (3B2QGXA7) causes permanent read-only mode in affected 2TB drives, with SMART attribute 0E values indicating rapid degradation. We recover Samsung Elpis Controller-based SSDs using our PC-3000 system's Samsung-specific firmware tools at our Austin lab.
Samsung Elpis Controller Technical Details
Samsung's Elpis controller powers the 980 PRO and PM9A1 OEM drives. The well-documented 980 PRO firmware bug (3B2QGXA7) causes permanent read-only mode in affected 2TB drives, with SMART attribute 0E values indicating rapid degradation.
Samsung Elpis Controller Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Samsung
- Interface
- NVMe Gen4
- DRAM Cache
- Yes
- Channels
- 8-channel
- NAND Types
- 3D TLC
Portable III supports NVMe Samsung. 8nm, 128 I/O queues. Proprietary NAND encoding complicates chip-off.
Recovery Feasibility
Portable III supports NVMe Samsung. 8nm, 128 I/O queues. Proprietary NAND encoding complicates chip-off.
Drives Using the Samsung Elpis Controller
The following consumer SSDs use the Samsung Elpis Controller. If your drive is on this list, the failure modes and recovery approaches described on this page apply to your situation.
Samsung Elpis Controller Drive Models
3 models affected
Failure Modes
Each failure mode has a different root cause and requires a different recovery approach. Identifying the correct failure mode is the first step in any recovery.
980 PRO read-only failure
Firmware 3B2QGXA7 causes permanent read-only mode (primarily 2TB models). SMART attribute 0E balloons. Firmware fix 5B2QGXA7 prevents but cannot undo damage.
Symptoms you may notice
- Drive becomes read-only
- SMART attribute 0E increasing
- Cannot write any data
- Samsung Magician shows health warnings
Related search terms
Samsung Magician firmware update failure
Firmware update via Samsung Magician frequently fails, leaving drive in corrupted state.
Symptoms you may notice
- Drive not detected after firmware update
- Firmware update stuck or failed
- Drive bricked after Magician update
Related search terms
How We Recover Samsung Elpis Controller SSDs
Firmware-Level Recovery
We recover Samsung Elpis Controller-based SSDs using the PC-3000 SSD system with the Samsung Active Utility. This provides direct access to the controller's diagnostic interface for firmware repair and FTL (Flash Translation Layer) reconstruction.
Firmware-level access preserves the NAND chip layout and avoids the complications of chip-off recovery. For most Samsung Elpis Controller failures, this is the primary recovery path.
Chip-Off Recovery
Chip-off is possible but complicated for Samsung Elpis Controller drives. Hardware encryption or proprietary NAND encoding reduces chip-off success rates compared to firmware-level recovery.
We attempt firmware-level recovery first and only proceed to chip-off when no other option exists.
Portable III supports NVMe Samsung. 8nm, 128 I/O queues. Proprietary NAND encoding complicates chip-off.
Pricing
SSD firmware and logical recovery for the Samsung Elpis Controller typically costs $300 to $500. Controller-level failures requiring advanced diagnostics are $500 to $1,500. Chip-off recovery, when viable, is $1,500 to $2,500.
See our full pricing breakdown for details. Our No Data, No Fee guarantee means you pay nothing if we cannot recover your files.
Hard Drive Data Recovery Standards & Verification
Our Austin lab operates on a transparency-first model. We use industry-standard recovery tools, including PC-3000 and DeepSpar, combined with strict environmental controls to make sure your hard drive is handled safely and properly. This approach allows us to serve clients nationwide with consistent technical standards.
Open-drive work is performed in a laminar-flow bench filtered to 0.02 µm, verified using TSI P-Trak instrumentation.
Transparent History
Serving clients nationwide via mail-in service since 2008.
Media Coverage
Our repair work has been covered by The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider, with CBC News reporting on our pricing transparency. Louis Rossmann has testified in Right to Repair hearings in multiple states and founded the Repair Preservation Group.
Aligned Incentives
Our "No Data, No Charge" policy means we assume the risk of the recovery attempt, not the client.
Technical Oversight
Louis Rossmann
Louis Rossmann's well trained staff review our lab protocols to ensure technical accuracy and honest service. Since 2008, his focus has been on clear technical communication and accurate diagnostics rather than sales-driven explanations.
We believe in proving standards rather than just stating them. We use TSI P-Trak instrumentation to verify that clean-air benchmarks are met before any drive is opened.
See our clean bench validation data and particle test videoFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Samsung 980 PRO read-only bug?
What does SMART attribute 0E mean on a Samsung 980 PRO?
Can Samsung Magician brick my 980 PRO during a firmware update?
Is my data recoverable if the 980 PRO is in read-only mode?
How much does Samsung 980 PRO data recovery cost?
Other Samsung Controllers
We also recover SSDs using these Samsung controllers.
Not an SSD issue? We also recover hard drives, RAID arrays, and iPhones.
SSD Recovery Overview →Nationwide Mail-In Data Recovery Service
We serve all 50 states with secure mail-in data recovery. Ship your failed drive to our Austin lab using our free shipping kit, and we'll diagnose it within 24-48 hours. No geographic limitations—we've successfully recovered data for customers from Alaska to Florida.
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Samsung Elpis Controller SSD not working?
Ship it to our Austin lab for a free evaluation. No data, no charge.