WD My Passport Data Recovery
My Passport not showing up? Dropped it? Set a password and forgot it? WD Passports have hardware encryption that complicates recovery; we specialize in bypassing it. We recover data from encrypted, clicking, and damaged Passports daily.
Important: WD My Passport Hardware Encryption
Since 2015, WD My Passport drives use hardware encryption by default, even if you never set a password. This has major implications for recovery:
- ⚠Removing the drive from the enclosure gives you encrypted garbage
- ⚠The encryption key is stored on the USB bridge board
- ⚠You need BOTH the original board AND the drive for recovery
- ⚠Do NOT throw away the enclosure, even if it seems dead
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 ULPA-filtered laminar-flow bench, validated to 0.02 µm particle count, 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 videoCommon WD My Passport Problems
Not Showing Up / Not Detected
The drive doesn't appear in File Explorer or Disk Management when connected.
Possible causes:
- • USB bridge board failure (most common)
- • Cable or USB port issue
- • Internal drive not spinning
- • Encryption chip malfunction
Recovery: Usually $300-$600
Clicking Sound
You hear clicking/ticking when the drive is connected. This indicates head failure.
What's happening:
- • Read/write heads are damaged
- • Heads can't find servo tracks
- • Each click attempt risks more damage
Recovery: $1,000-$1,500 (head swap needed)
Dropped / Physical Damage
The drive was dropped while running or while connected. May or may not show symptoms immediately.
Potential damage:
- • Head crash (clicking)
- • Platter damage (grinding)
- • PCB damage (not detected)
- • Connector damage
Recovery: $500-$1,500 depending on damage
Password Forgotten
You set a WD Security password and can't remember it. Drive is locked.
Recovery options:
- • If drive hardware is intact: Decryptable
- • Depends on encryption implementation
- • Some older models more recoverable
- • Contact us for assessment
Recovery: Case-by-case evaluation
WD Passport Models We Recover
My Passport (Standard)
- • 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB capacities
- • USB 3.0 / USB-C models
- • WDBYNN, WDBYFT, WDBPKJ series
- • Hardware encrypted (post-2015)
My Passport Ultra
- • Premium metal design
- • USB-C with USB-A adapter
- • WDBFTM, WDBC3C series
- • Same encryption as standard
My Passport for Mac
- • Pre-formatted HFS+/APFS
- • Same internal drive as Windows version
- • Time Machine compatible
- • Same recovery process
WD My Passport Recovery Pricing
| Service Tier | Price Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| USB Bridge Repair | $200-$400 | Bridge board failure, encryption key extraction |
| Logical + Encryption | $300-$500 | Healthy drive, need decryption and file recovery |
| Mechanical + Encryption | $1,000-$1,500 | Clicking drive, head swap, then decrypt |
No Data, No Charge: If we can't recover your data, you pay nothing.
Related Recovery Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Can data be recovered from an encrypted WD My Passport?▾
Yes. WD My Passport uses hardware encryption tied to the USB bridge board. If you never set a password, the encryption key is stored on the bridge. We extract this key and decrypt the data. If you set a password and forgot it, recovery depends on the specific failure.
Why is my WD My Passport not showing up?▾
Common causes include USB bridge board failure, internal drive failure (clicking, not spinning), encryption chip issues, or simple cable/port problems. Try a different cable and port first. If it still doesn't show up, professional diagnosis is needed.
Can I remove the drive from the enclosure myself?▾
You can physically remove it, but newer Passports (2015+) use hardware encryption. Connecting the bare drive to a computer shows only encrypted data. You need both the original USB bridge board AND the drive for recovery. Do not discard the enclosure.
WD My Passport Not Working?
We specialize in encrypted Passport recovery. Free evaluation, no data no charge.