A data storage device that includes a data storage medium and a controller communicatively coupled to the data storage medium. The controller is configured to receive commands from a host and to detect a hung state in the data storage device. The controller is also configured to determine an execution status of a command, of the commands from the host, associated with the hung state. The controller is further configured to dynamically carry out a self-recovery operation in the data storage device to clear the hung state. The self-recovery operation includes steps that depend upon the execution status of the command associated with the hung state.