Synology NAS systems are renowned for their dependable and high-performance data storage across businesses and home users alike. However, even the most reliable hardware can suffer from unexpected faults. One of the most concerning alerts you may encounter is:
"Attention – System Partition Failed."
This system-level fault can quickly render your NAS inaccessible, leaving no obvious route to repair. More critically, any incorrect recovery attempt can result in permanent data loss.
In this guide, we’ll clarify what a Synology system partition failure actually means, the actions you should and shouldn’t take, and why seeking professional data recovery services in the UK is often the only secure way to restore your files.
What Does “System Partition Failed” Mean on a Synology NAS?
The system partition on your Synology NAS holds the operating system, critical services, and core configuration data. When a system partition failure occurs, the device may:
Fail to start or complete its boot sequence
Display errors within Storage Manager
Show degraded volumes or missing drives
Restrict access to shared folders, installed applications, or scheduled backups
In most cases, Synology DSM doesn’t provide an immediate Repair option for this fault. As a result, many users are left uncertain about how to respond and any incorrect troubleshooting attempt can further compromise both the system and the stored data.
Common Causes of a System Partition Failure
A Synology system partition failure usually points to deeper issues within the storage hardware or an improper system shutdown rather than a simple software fault.
Typical causes include:
Failing or degraded hard drives, even when only one shows SMART warnings
Power interruptions or sudden shutdowns during firmware or DSM updates
Corruption within DSM system metadata
Removing or reseating disks while the NAS is in operation
RAID volume inconsistencies or misaligned arrays
Why Rebuilding, Reinitialising, or ‘Fixing’ the System Can Destroy Your Data
Even experienced IT technicians can accidentally make their data permanently unrecoverable by attempting to rebuild or reset a Synology NAS too quickly.
A typical chain of events looks like this:
One drive fails due to age or wear
The NAS still boots but shows partition or volume warnings
The failed drive is replaced and a rebuild is initiated
During the rebuild, another drive fails or read errors appear
The RAID volume collapses or becomes irreparably corrupted
Attempting to rebuild a degraded Synology RAID before creating full disk images is one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make.
If no complete images exist prior to a rebuild, you are effectively gambling with your data. Drives within the same array often fail within a short period of one another.
Introducing a new disk and starting a rebuild places extreme read stress on the surviving drives, increasing the likelihood of secondary failures and total data corruption.
For a deeper understanding of the technical risks and failure patterns during RAID rebuilds, refer to our detailed guide on RAID rebuild data loss scenarios.
What to Do When You See “System Partition Failed”
Step 1: Avoid Rebuilding or Resetting the NAS
Do not attempt to use DSM’s repair, format, or reinitialisation options. These operations can overwrite essential system metadata or RAID configuration records, drastically lowering the chance of a successful recovery.
Step 2: Power Down and Label Your Drives
If possible, perform a controlled shutdown of your Synology NAS. Label each drive clearly according to its slot position, this sequence is vital when reconstructing the array during recovery.
Step 3: Contact a Professional Data Recovery Specialist
Before attempting any further do-it-yourself measures, contact a reputable RAID and NAS recovery provider such as RAID Recovery Services. Professional assessment at this stage gives you the highest probability of restoring your data safely.
Fast turnaround times for business-critical data
Our Process for Synology System Partition Recovery
At RAID Recovery Services, we specialise in resolving complex Synology NAS failures, including:
Corrupted or inaccessible system partitions
Failed or degraded RAID configurations (RAID 5, RAID 6, SHR, SHR-2)
Logical volume errors and DSM system faults
Our structured recovery process involves:
Full-sector forensic imaging of every drive to preserve original data integrity
Safe virtual RAID reconstruction in a controlled environment
Manual system partition repair to restore DSM functionality
Comprehensive data verification to confirm complete and accurate recovery
Remote file preview for client validation prior to final delivery
By avoiding risky rebuilds and employing laboratory-grade methods, we ensure the highest possible success rate for complete Synology data recovery.
Real-World Impact: A Synology Failure Without a “Repair” Option
A client reached out after encountering a “System Partition Failed” message on their Synology DS920+. DSM offered no repair option. One drive had already failed, and they were preparing to replace it and begin a rebuild.
Fortunately, they paused and contacted our engineers before taking any action. We created forensic images of all drives, identified a second drive with unstable sectors, and successfully reconstructed the SHR volume in a controlled environment. All data was recovered intact, with no corruption or data loss.
Had the client initiated a rebuild without imaging, the second drive would almost certainly have failed mid-process, resulting in a total array collapse.
If you’re dealing with a similar situation, immediate professional intervention is vital. Our emergency data recovery services in the UK are designed to act quickly — reducing downtime and giving you the best chance of a full recovery.
Don’t Take the Risk. Get Expert Help Before You Rebuild
A Synology “System Partition Failed” warning can be alarming, but taking the wrong steps can turn a manageable issue into permanent data loss. If you encounter this fault:
Stop all rebuild or repair attempts immediately
Do not format, initialise, or reconfigure the volume
Contact RAID Recovery Services for a professional assessment
Our engineers have the expertise, diagnostic tools, and controlled environments needed to safely recover data from Synology NAS devices and restore operational integrity.
For a comprehensive look at our capabilities across multiple NAS brands, explore our NAS data recovery services.
Contact us today for urgent assistance and expert data recovery support throughout the UK.
Trust the experts with proven results
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “System Partition Failed” mean on a Synology NAS?
This message indicates that the system partition has become corrupted or unreadable, which prevents DSM from booting properly and disrupts normal NAS operations.
Why is there no “Repair” button in DSM?
In some cases, DSM cannot provide a repair option if it is unable to fully mount or detect the system volume. This often depends on the RAID configuration and the condition of the file system.
Is my data lost if the system partition fails?
Not necessarily. If you have not attempted a rebuild, reformat, or DSM reinstall, there is a strong chance your data can still be recovered by professional engineers.
Can I repair this issue myself?
It’s not recommended. Rebuilds, resets, or DSM reinstalls without full forensic imaging can permanently destroy recoverable data. Always seek professional assistance first.
How does RAID Recovery Services handle these cases?
We create forensic images of all drives, reconstruct the RAID array in a secure virtual environment, repair system partition corruption, and extract all intact data safely for verification.