There are really instances when tape media can get corrupted or damaged and these are usually when they have been used improperly or mishandled. The erasure of tape drives, system failures or system shutdowns that were unexpected, failed tape libraries or backup systems or tape headers that have been damaged are also among those times when tape drives can be damaged. During these times, tape data recovery often works at the retrieving the data that have been lost.

There are two major processes when it comes to tape data recovery and these are the logical and the physical. Tape data recovery done the logical way is the most complicated as well as the most costly recovery procedure for tape media. This type of tape data recovery also includes the process of recovering data logically from the tape drives. Even information that was recorded successfully using the tape drive but could not be accessed now could even be retrieved through this kind of tape data recovery. A tape recovery software program is also used in this type of tape recovery data, as this is usually quite efficient in restoring as well as recovering the files and folders that are either inaccessible or really lost.

Physical data recovery, on the other hand, is the type of tape data recovery that is utilized when the problem with the tape drive is a physical one. This kind of tape data recovery involves such things as working on the broken tapes, magnetic coatings that have deteriorated, cartridges that have been sealed or cracked as well as taped that have either been folded or twisted. Tape data recovery done the physical way also deals with tape drives that have been damaged by debris, fire, mud or water, among others.