Solved! Razer Blade doesn‘t recognize SSD anymore; boots to BIOS

[Olivier787]

I have a Razer Blade 15 which I bought almost 2 years ago and it‘s been working great until now. However, I've encountered a massive problem that has appeared yesterday out of nowhere.

I was working and suddenly the laptop froze and I got a BSOD with the error:
CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED

I thought nothing of it and restarted the laptop, it worked fine for a while but then the same thing happened again.
I tried a few more times and the laptop sometimes functioned normally but then just crashed out of nowhere.
It also one time displayed the error: KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR

Now,the real problem comes when it boots back up. The laptop boots into BIOS instantly and it doesn't even show that the SSD is plugged in. It doesn’t go to Windows anymore after the Razer logo. I can't even choose it from boot options because it appears as if it wasn't there, in the BIOS it says no NVME device found. Sometimes after a few restarts (ranging from 2 to ~15) Windows comes back up and boots normally and the cycle repeats itself.
There appears be a problem with the computer not recognizing the SSD, I‘m considering opening the laptop up and reseating it, would that be a good idea?

But since it was working just fine a couple times yesterday, the SSD can‘t be broken completely right?
I honestly don't know how to proceed and I'm desperate since I need this laptop for my work and there a lot of very very important files on it (although most are on the HDD, not the SSD that it‘s supposed to boot from). Please, if someone could take the time to help me I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[COLGeek]

It sounds like you have a defective SSD or motherboard. You could try re-seating the SSD. Good luck.

Keep in mind that NVME SSDs are securely mounted. The likelihood of it popping out of place is next to zero. A defective m.2 socket means a new motherboard would be needed. Hopefully, only the NVME SSD is the problem and it can be replaced.

Do you have a backup for the files kept on the SSD?

 

[Olivier787]

It sounds like you have a defective SSD or motherboard. You could try re-seating the SSD. Good luck.

Keep in mind that NVME SSDs are securely mounted. The likelihood of it popping out of place is next to zero. A defective m.2 socket means a new motherboard would be needed. Hopefully, only the NVME SSD is the problem and it can be replaced.

Do you have a backup for the files kept on the SSD?

Reseating it seems to be the only option I have by now, if that doesn‘t help I‘m probably gonna have to take it to a specialist.
But since it workes just fine sometimes, the SSD can‘t be completely fried right?

Unfortunately I have no backup for the files on the SSD. I ordered a backup drive just last week and didn‘t get to making a backup until now..

 

[COLGeek]

If the SSD is intact (operational), you may be able to access the files and save elsewhere (using something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Enclosure-Adapter-Tool-Free-Thunderbolt-External/dp/B08C2THR25).

Is the laptop still under warranty?

 

[Olivier787]

If the SSD is intact (operational), you may be able to access the files and save elsewhere (using something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Enclosure-Adapter-Tool-Free-Thunderbolt-External/dp/B08C2THR25).

Is the laptop still under warranty?

As it still functioned properly when I managed to boot the laptop into Windows every now and then, I suspect it indeed is still functional but there seems to be some kind of issue with the connection between SSD and motherboard. Guess I‘m gonna have to open the laptop, reseat the SSD and check the cables?


Unfortunately the laptop is not under warranty anymore.

 

[COLGeek]

The SSD (if NVME) will plug into an m.2 socket. Those are affixed directly to the motherboard. No cables to check.

Good luck.

 

[Olivier787]

Thank you for the help. If say it still won‘t work after reseating the SSD, do you think there‘s a good chance at having the files on the drives recovered by a professional?

 

[COLGeek]

Try the device suggested earlier before using a data recovery service. Those guys are super expensive.

Your SSD may be okay. The motherboard could be the issue.

 

[Olivier787]

So the device you linked before, I would just have to put the SSD in there and if it‘s only an issue with the motherboard, the laptop should boot up normally again?

 

[COLGeek]

So the device you linked before, I would just have to put the SSD in there and if it‘s only an issue with the motherboard, the laptop should boot up normally again?

No, you won't be able to boot from the USB device. However, if the SSD is working properly, you should be able to recover files from it. I assumed that was your intent.

If the SSD is good, then that would imply an issue with the motherboard itself. Those can be replaced, but can get pricey.

 

[Olivier787]

Got you, thanks for the clarification. I‘m gonna have to hope the SSD will be recognized again after I reseat it. I also read online that this might be an issue with the Razer Blade‘s battery somehow, so I will test that out as well.
Worst case would be a broken SSD. Do you know whether the files on my HDD would still be fine though eitherway?

 

[COLGeek]

Got you, thanks for the clarification. I‘m gonna have to hope the SSD will be recognized again after I reseat it. I also read online that this might be an issue with the Razer Blade‘s battery somehow, so I will test that out as well.
Worst case would be a broken SSD. Do you know whether the files on my HDD would still be fine though eitherway?

Maybe. Depends on what the problem actually is. Similar external enclosures exist for those, as well. The same logic as above would apply.

 

[Olivier787]

Hi, I just got done reseating the SSD. Unfortunately it still won‘t work. I‘m about to buy the external enclosure now that you linked. Assuming the SSD is still intact, could I then use the adapter to plug it in another pc to recover the files on the SSD?

 

[COLGeek]

Hi, I just got done reseating the SSD. Unfortunately it still won‘t work. I‘m about to buy the external enclosure now that you linked. Assuming the SSD is still intact, could I then use the adapter to plug it in another pc to recover the files on the SSD?

Yes, assuming the SSD is operational.