How long does data on a not used SSD last?

[GTC]

I have an m.2 NVME SSD that has data on it, it hasn't been in a computer or used for over a year. Will the data on it degrade?

[Electronics Wizardy]

It should be just fine, but why not try it?

[Ryker Robb]

2 minutes ago, GTC said:

I have an m.2 NVME SSD that has data on it, it hasn't been in a computer or used for over a year. Will the data on it degrade?

It should be fine. Although there hasn't been a lot of testing done on this specific problem for some reason.

[GTC]

8 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

It should be just fine, but why not try it?

I don't currently have a PC 

[Agall]

12 minutes ago, GTC said:

I have an m.2 NVME SSD that has data on it, it hasn't been in a computer or used for over a year. Will the data on it degrade?

Yes, but to a point where it'll matter? Probably not. Unless it was a VERY well used and low quality SSD, that data should retain on it for a decade at least, though I have no data to back up that value.

 

Looks like my guess is about right on the industry standard, about 10 years.

[8tg]

It depends on the ssd tech used. Older drives were known to lose data without power for 5+ years, but modern nvme ssds have rated figures for decades. 

[dilpickle]

I wonder if you just watched the same video I did.

 

They reference a JEDEC standard for enterprise SSDs that lists 3 months shelf life as a worst case scenario. But in practical terms it will be much longer.

 

A year should be no problem but I would plug it in whenever possible to verify it.

[porina]

This topic comes up now and then. It should be noted they are for a SSD that is at rated endurance and elevated temperatures. For SSDs with moderate use and not stored at elevated temperatures, it is practically forever. SSDs also employ a degree of error correction so data doesn't need to remain 100% perfect on flash to be recoverable.

 

That doesn't mean there wont be data loss. I have had suspected cases of bit rot in lower cost branded SSDs which were in use. The exact mechanism is unknown in my cases but I've stopped buying low end SSDs. There hasn't been a problem with mid to high end SSDs.

[kokosnh]

If stored in cold environment, and it’s good TLC NAND preferably CTF one  ( not near it’s TBW, then over o year or even two is possible ).
 

the real problem is with QLC SSD, or when you leave it on sun.

 

but no, it will not last a decade… 

 

https://www.anandtech.com/show/9248/the-truth-about-ssd-data-retention

Error correction algorithm, can’t do miracle, ( most of the data has to be good for it to work ), if all values will shift one value down ( and that’s like 0.1-0.2V ) all data will be lost.

 

[GTC]

4 hours ago, dilpickle said:

I wonder if you just watched the same video I did.

 

They reference a JEDEC standard for enterprise SSDs that lists 3 months shelf life as a worst case scenario. But in practical terms it will be much longer.

 

A year should be no problem but I would plug it in whenever possible to verify it.

Yip, it was that exact video haha.

When Sam said SSDs last 3 months I was like "oh shit I have one i haven't used in like 16 months, better check on LTT forum if it will be ok!" Lol

[kokosnh]

I have MLC SSD Laing over 2 years no problem. 
but it all depends on the specific nand data retention… and the storage condition, and SSD wear, are also important.

[Ryker Robb]

4 hours ago, kokosnh said:

but no, it will not last a decade…

The article you gave us says otherwise...

Quote

"All in all, there is absolutely zero reason to worry about SSD data retention in typical client environment. Remember that the figures presented here are for a drive that has already passed its endurance rating, so for new drives the data retention is considerably higher, typically over ten years for MLC NAND based SSDs. If you buy a drive today and stash it away, the drive itself will become totally obsolete quicker than it will lose its data. Besides, given the cost of SSDs, it's not cost efficient to use them for cold storage anyway, so if you're looking to archive data I would recommend going with hard drives for cost reasons alone."

 

[worstalentscout]

then why do data stay intact on a thumbdrive that's not used for years ??

[Pickles von Brine]

Bitrot is a thing but most SSDs can retain data for years. I have SSDs that are 5-6 years old that I haven't touched. Plug em in and data is still there. Same for flash drives. They do degrade over time but it takes a long time. 

[kokosnh]

8 hours ago, Ryker Robb said:

The article you gave us says otherwise...

 

Well yes, MLC ones… as they have very large margins of errors for voltage shift in nand. And were produced in highest topology ( having more electrons per memory cell ) 
 

but I have to assume, it’s not MLC the OP has. And has TLC or QLC one… 

but he still didn’t said what type is it. 
 

Nowadays ssd constantly refresh the old data, but when TLC hit the market first time in 840 the ssd had problem reading 1 month old data, because of error in nand, caused by weak data retention, and necessity to use error correcting algorithms to read the data.