SSD Data Recovery
WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ Data RecoveryWD Black SN770
The WD Black SN770 uses a proprietary SanDisk Polaris MP16+ controller with a DRAM-less HMB design. WD's proprietary controller architecture makes third-party recovery tool development harder than for Phison or SMI-based drives. Our Austin lab uses board-level diagnostics and NAND-level techniques for WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ recovery.
WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ Technical Details
The WD Black SN770 uses a proprietary SanDisk Polaris MP16+ controller with a DRAM-less HMB design. WD's proprietary controller architecture makes third-party recovery tool development harder than for Phison or SMI-based drives.
WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Western Digital
- Interface
- NVMe Gen4
- DRAM Cache
- No (HMB)
- Channels
- 4-channel
- NAND Types
- 3D TLC
WD proprietary architecture limits third-party tool support. Tri-core, no hardware AES-256 encryption.
Recovery Feasibility
WD proprietary architecture limits third-party tool support. Tri-core, no hardware AES-256 encryption.
Drives Using the WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+
The following consumer SSDs use the WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+. If your drive is on this list, the failure modes and recovery approaches described on this page apply to your situation.
WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ Drive Models
1 model 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.
HMB dependency failure
DRAM-less HMB design complicates recovery if host system is unavailable. Mapping tables stored in host RAM are lost on crash.
Symptoms you may notice
- NVMe SSD not detected
- Drive failure after system crash
- Partition table lost
Related search terms
WD Dashboard firmware corruption
Firmware corruption from WD Dashboard updates. Proprietary controller makes third-party tool development difficult.
Symptoms you may notice
- Drive bricked after Dashboard update
- Firmware update failure
- SSD not detected after WD software update
Related search terms
How We Recover WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ SSDs
Firmware-Level Recovery
The PC-3000 does not yet have full Active Utility support for the WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+. Recovery relies on manufacturer-specific diagnostic modes, service pin access, and NAND-level techniques.
We monitor PC-3000 firmware updates for new controller support. When utility support becomes available, firmware-level recovery will be the preferred path for this controller.
Chip-Off Recovery
Chip-off is possible but complicated for WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ 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.
WD proprietary architecture limits third-party tool support. Tri-core, no hardware AES-256 encryption.
Pricing
SSD firmware and logical recovery for the WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ 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
Why is the WD Black SN770 harder to recover than Phison or Samsung drives?
What does HMB dependency mean for SN770 recovery?
Can a WD Dashboard update brick my SN770?
Does the SN770 have hardware encryption that prevents recovery?
How much does WD Black SN770 data recovery cost?
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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WD/SanDisk Polaris MP16+ SSD not working?
Ship it to our Austin lab for a free evaluation. No data, no charge.