Summary: If the QNAP NAS that you’re using enters into the Missing Mode, you can’t access data on your NAS expansion storage. If you are suffering from the same problem, this article is suitable for you to read. Here, we provide some effective ways to fix this error and recover QNAP NAS from Missing Mode.

A NAS is a device that is not only used for file sharing, but also for data storage, virtualization, and other purposes. In addition, it’s often used for streaming TV from channels such as Netflix, Hulu, and more. QNAP has a new product line within its network-attached storage solutions known as Q-Smart. Q-Smart products are embedded with features unique to QNAP, including Hard/SoftRAID technology for data protection. You can easily expand the capacity of your new Q-Smart NAS by adding hard drives or SSDs in any configuration you choose.

QNAP NAS is a NAS that combines file server, storage server, and streaming server into one powerful network-attached storage system. It is easy to use with web-based utility, while cost-effective and maintainable. A QNAP NAS consists of one or more hard drives. However, you can also expand the NAS storage space by connecting expansion enclosures to it. This makes QNAP NAS an ideal choice for storing data backup, video surveillance storage, etc. Due to its convenience of use and high capacity storage, QNAP NAS has become popular among home users, small businesses, and corporates alike.

Once Storage Manager is opened, the Storage Manager will display an error icon in the overview section (see Figure A), and all daemons of NAS will go offline. If more than one expansion unit has gone offline, you will see a corresponding number of disconnection icons (see Figure B) in the Disks section.

A path is shown from the disconnected Figure A: Error icon showing disconnected expansion storage in the Overview section. device to a question mark over a cloud labeled “clouds. Then there’s a troubleshooting paragraph that explains how to fix this error. 

Once a NAS expansion unit is missing or disconnected from the network, the secure data protection feature of QTS – Missing Mode kicks in to block I/O access to protect the data stored on disconnected expansion units. Thus, you cannot access the data on the missing expansion units.

Ways to Recover QNAP NAS from “Missing Mode

If your QNAP NAS goes into Missing Mode, follow the given solutions to fix the issue and recover the data:

1. Fix Missing Mode Occurred Due to Accidental Disconnect

Disconnect the device from the power source and wait for sixty seconds to give time to disconnect completely.

• Safely disconnect the expansion unit of the QNAP NAS from its power outlet first. Remove all cables connected to it and ensure that the screws are properly tightened before reconnecting it. Power it on again to make sure that everything is running smoothly.
• Press the Power button to turn the unit ON.

If the system recognizes the disks or enclosures in the expansion unit, this indicates that there are some disks or enclosures present in the NAS. However, the most current system status does not include them.

 The host accidentally disconnected from the expansion enclosure by pressing “Cancel” or “Eject Button” without confirming the data saved in the disks will be discarded. Then, a warning message box is displayed to prompt the host to confirm whether or not to reconnect to the expansion enclosure. This improvement prevents unnecessary data loss and reduces many user troubles.

• The only way to recover the QNAP NAS from this mode is by rebooting it to Normal Mode. When the QNAP NAS goes into Missing Mode, it just needs a nudge to exit this state and restore itself properly. You can do this by clicking OK on the Recovery Mode pop-up box, or manually restarting it »

Storage Manager > Disks > Recover > Recover Enclosure

 The Recover Enclosure button is located on the inactive blade of the redundant power supply. Pressing this button will restart the primary enclosure if it has failed.

• If the Missing Mode issue is fixed, your Nintendo 3DS system has been successfully repaired. The system will be updated automatically. After the update, please do not turn off the power of your Nintendo 3DS system until further notice.

Also Read: Synology NAS Disk malfunctions? Here’s How to Fix It Fast:

2. Resolve Missing Mode Caused by Failed Expansion Unit (USB Bus Type)

If the USB expansion unit of your N2N Link Station has failed, moving the hard drives currently in the source expansion unit to a working expansion enclosure will restore the functioning of the NAS. Continued use of this failing USB expansion unit can lead to data loss on the hard drives.

To carry out this process safely, follow the below steps:

• Power OFF the defective unit.
• Disconnect the unit from NAS, and take out the hard drives.
• Next, insert the hard disks into a new expansion unit.

NOTE: If you are moving your system to a new home, make sure that you insert the disks in the order they were shipped to you. Place each disk in its protective sleeve, or if it is too large for an individual.

• An explanation on how to insert the disk in your NAS unit. Once you have done so, connect this replacement expansion unit to your NAS and then power it ON after making sure you have placed the disks in their original order.

NOTE: The new expansion unit must have an equal or greater number of bays than the failed unit.

• When you’re ready to restore the NAS, insert the replacement disks into the replacement units, and then reconnect to a power source. Storage Manager will detect that a replacement expansion unit has been added and auto-expand the storage capacity of the NAS for you.
• When you reinitialize an enclosure ID, the status of the enclosure changes to Redundant Enclosure, and all disk expansion storage is removed from the enclosure. If possible, make sure that you place the new disk in the same position in which the old ones were placed.

Also Read: Safety Warnings Of Thecus NAS Recovery

Conclusion

Open your door to the world of disks with the Disk-less NAS System. “QNAP NAS Missing Mode” indicates that either an expansion unit is disconnected from NAS or it has failed. To fix this problem, first, you need to check that all the expansion units are properly intact with the NAS. If there are no connection issues and the unit is powered ON, it might have failed.