Aspects of the disclosure provide a data storage device that includes a non-volatile memory and a controller. The controller includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to determine whether there is a deadlock in a communication link between the data storage apparatus and a host; and transmit, when there is a deadlock in the communication link between the data storage apparatus and the host, a recovery command to the host to re-establish a link layer connection between the data storage apparatus and the host.