A data storage device (DSD) enters a high spindle suppression (HSS) mode to reduce instances of rotation of a spindle motor of the DSD during the HSS mode. When a read command is received from a host to read requested data from the DSD in the HSS mode, it is determined whether the requested data is not stored in a solid state memory of the DSD. If it is determined that the requested data is not stored in the solid state memory, the spindle motor is controlled to rotate a disk of the DSD. The requested data is read from the disk and stored in the solid state memory before completing transfer of the requested data to the host.