Stellar Data Recovery Main Errors – Solution

Stellar Data Recovery is effective at restoring lost files, but obstacles like activation error, stuck scanning, drive not detected, and trial vs paid limitations can block a successful recovery if not handled correctly. The steps below compile reliable fixes aligned with Stellar’s documentation to prevent further media degradation while improving recovery outcomes. Favor Deep Scan, RAW recovery, and disk image workflows, and always save to a different drive to avoid overwriting recoverable data.

Activation and key

Without an active license, saving is restricted, so messages like license key not working or activation error are often the trial’s limitation rather than a software fault. Official guidance and videos confirm that Recover works fully only after entering the serial number for the correct product edition.

• Check the internet connection and activate via Help > Activate, entering the serial key carefully.
• Ensure the license is not already bound to another PC and that the edition matches the installed product.
• After successful activation, restart the app and attempt to save the found files again.

Long scan or stuck scanning

Long scan time commonly stems from slow connections (USB 2.0), large datasets, and bad sectors, which calls for an imaging‑first approach on unstable media. Stellar recommends Create Image and continuing recovery from the image to reduce risk and improve predictability.

• Connect via SATA or USB 3.0, avoiding USB 2.0 and unstable hubs.
• Allow the scan to complete if progress continues, factoring in drive size and health.
• Create a disk image in Stellar and use Resume Recovery to continue from the image.
• If drive health deteriorates, limit direct access and consider professional recovery services.

Drive not detected

If the OS does not detect the device, the software will not list it, so start with system‑level checks of cables, ports, drive letters, and Device Manager/Disk Management. Stellar’s “external hard drive not recognized” guides provide practical steps to restore visibility before scanning.

• Swap the cable/port and reconnect to a USB 3.0 port or directly to SATA.
• In Disk Management, assign a drive letter if the volume appears without one.
• Rule out an enclosure/bridge fault by testing the bare drive directly on a PC.
• For media with bad sectors, prioritize cloning and recover from the clone (as in Stellar case practice).

Preview not available

No preview does not mean the file cannot be recovered. Preview support varies by format and scan scenario. Deep Scan, precise type selection, and testing the saved file in an external app help work around the limitation.

• Run a Deep Scan if Quick Scan did not provide preview for the needed format.
• Narrow file types in the wizard to improve relevance and scanning efficiency.
• Save the item and test it in an external application even if in‑app preview is unavailable.

Cannot save to the same drive

Cannot save recovered files often results from attempting to write to the source disk or from insufficient free space, both of which should be avoided. Follow the save to different drive rule with ample free capacity and preserve scan sessions to save time.

• Choose a different physical drive as the destination for recovered data.
• Verify sufficient free space for the total size of selected items before saving.
• Save scan information and resume later through Resume Recovery when needed.

Shows files but asks to pay

This is normal trial vs paid behavior: preview is allowed, but saving requires an active license, which many mistake for an error. After purchase and activation, saving proceeds as expected.

• Purchase and activate the license, then run Recover to an external/secondary drive.
• Confirm the chosen edition includes the required features for the workflow.

If you want to try other programs for your PC’s health, we recommend checking out other similar programs in the Backup & Partitioning section.

Recovered files are corrupted

Causes include overwrites, damaged file systems, and bad sectors rather than a software failure, so Deep Scan, RAW recovery, and image‑based workflows are essential. Avoid all write activity on the source disk until the entire recovery is complete.

• Stop any write operations to prevent overwriting remaining fragments.
• Re‑scan with Deep Scan or RAW recovery when the directory structure is compromised.
• Create a disk image and continue recovery from the image to minimize risk.

Conclusion

Successful recovery with Stellar Data Recovery starts by ruling out system‑level causes, then applying Deep Scan/RAW recovery and image‑based methods while saving to a separate destination drive. A valid license is required to save results, while stuck scanning and drive not detected are best addressed with proper connectivity, disk imaging, and OS checks. This workflow minimizes risk and raises the chance that recovered files open correctly, even from problematic media.