A Secure Digital (SD) card is a type of micro storage card designed to hold large amounts of data in portable devices like smartphones, tablets, and high-definition cameras. It offers great convenience for those needing to store substantial amounts of data.

While SD cards come with some great benefits, one downside is that files can get automatically deleted. You don't usually run into this issue with internal storage, but it's pretty common with SD cards.

How to fix the SD card deleting files automatically issue? This article will introduce you to five methods to resolve the problem of the SD card deleting files on its own, along with an extra tip to protect your SD card data. After reading this post, you can choose any method to fix this error.

Why do files get automatically deleted from an SD card?

Before delving into the five practical methods to fix the issue of SD card deleting files on its own, let's first understand the reasons behind such occurrences. There can be multiple reasons for this problem to happen, with the most prominent and common ones being:

  • Card malfunction: This is the most common reason behind the issue. An SD card can get corrupted due to malicious files.
  • Bad sectors: A bad sector is a damaged part of an SD card. Because of bad sectors, an SD card might delete files on its own.

5 Ways to Fix SD Card Deleting Files Automatically

Losing important files can be a major headache for end-users and can even result in significant financial or personal loss due to the absence of crucial data. Here are five of the best methods to prevent SD cards from deleting files automatically, thus averting such scenarios.

  1. Method 1. Format SD Card to Normal State
  2. Method 2. Use CHKDSK to Fix Disappeared Files on SD Card
  3. Method 3. Unmount/Reinsert SD Card
  4. Method 4. Uninstall Faulty Applications
  5. Method 5. Delete .nomedia Files

Please provide the text you want to translate, and I'll translate it into English for you as soon as possible.

Method 1: Format the SD Card to Normal Status

The primary solution listed here is to format the SD card to normal. Why should you <a href="/computer-instruction/why-format-sd-card.html">format SD card</a>? Sometimes, there might be malicious files on the SD card causing serious issues like deleting files automatically. Formatting the SD card to normal can solve the issue of deleted files. However, you need to keep in mind that formatting an SD card will wipe all data stored on it. So, you should <a href="/backup-utility/how-to-backup-sd-card-before-formatting.html">back up SD card</a> before formatting. Here is a simple way to format your SD card.

Step 1: Connect the SD card to your computer and locate it.

Step 2: Right-click its icon, and select "Format."

Step 3: Now, choose either the FAT32 or NTFS format type and proceed with the formatting.

Select either FAT32 or NTFS

Method 2: Use CHKDSK to Solve the Problem of Missing Files on SD Card

CHKDSK is a system utility command in the Windows operating system used to check and scan connected drives for issues. It can resolve various logical errors, such as bad sectors. You can use this system tool to address the issue of deleted files on your SD card. Here's how: 1. **Connect the SD Card**: Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card reader or use a USB card reader. 2. **Open Command Prompt**: - Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" from the menu. You'll need administrator privileges to run CHKDSK. 3. **Run CHKDSK**: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press `Enter`: ``` chkdsk /f /r X: ``` Replace `X:` with the actual drive letter assigned to your SD card. Make sure you use the correct letter, as it might be different from `X`. 4. **Wait for the Process**: CHKDSK will start scanning the SD card for errors and bad sectors. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the SD card. 5. **Repairing Errors**: If any errors are found, CHKDSK will attempt to repair them automatically. Once the process is complete, type `Exit` and press `Enter` to close the Command Prompt. 6. **Check for Restored Files**: After the CHKDSK process, open File Explorer and navigate to your SD card to see if the deleted files have been recovered or if their integrity has been restored. Please note that CHKDSK may not always recover deleted files, especially if they've been overwritten. However, it can help fix logical issues that could be causing file loss or corruption. For more comprehensive data recovery, consider using dedicated data recovery software.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the "Run" command. Then, type CMD in the search bar to open the Command Prompt.

Step 2. If your SD card drive is named “g,” type `chkdsk g: /r /f` into the Command Prompt, then press Enter.

Type in Command Prompt

Windows will scan and fix any bad sectors it finds. Once it's finished, you can check to see if the problem is resolved.

Method 3: Eject and Reinsert the SD Card

Another solution is to unmount and remount the SD card. The process of unmounting/remounting differs between PCs and Android devices. On an Android device, go to Settings > Storage > Unmount SD card to unmount it first. Then, you can physically unmount/remount the SD card.

On the other hand, ejecting/remounting an SD card on a computer is relatively straightforward. Find the drive for your SD card and right-click on it. Now, hit the “Eject” option to safely virtually remove the SD card. You can also physically eject/remount the SD card from the reader and USB slot.

Click on "Popup" Click on Popup option

Unmounting/reinserting the SD card is a simple, if inelegant, solution to this problem.

Method 4: Uninstall the Problematic App

Sometimes, an infected or corrupted app on the SD card can be the reason behind the automatic deletion of files. If you have any faulty apps installed on your SD card, it's advisable to uninstall them. This might resolve the issue of the SD card deleting files on its own.

Method 5: Delete the .nomedia File

This issue is specific to the SD card on Android devices. An SD card connected to an Android device typically does not contain media files, which indicates to installed media players that there are no available media files.

Deleting the .nomedia file

A "No Media" file can hide other files in the same folder. In this case, the card itself is fine, and you just need to delete the "No Media" file.

Using an SD Card Backup Software

Your SD card stores your important files like photos, documents, etc. You should pay special attention to the security of the data on your SD card. You can try any of the above methods to fix the issue of SD card deleting files by itself. And you can recover the files with a data recovery tool. But prevention should be your top priority. An SD card connected to a computer is treated as part of the local storage. So, you can use SD card backup software to back up your SD card. In this case, tools Todo Backup Home can be very helpful.

Todo Backup Home is a cloud storage solution that not only keeps your computer safe from viruses, but also allows you to back up your entire system and drives to the cloud, where you can access them from anywhere.

Now, let's see how to use Todo Backup Home to backup SD card.

Step 1: Choose what to back up

Create disk backup step1

Step 2: There are four backup categories: Files, Disks, OS, and Mail. Click on Disks.

Create disk backup step 2

Step 3: You can back up either the entire disk or a specific partition. Choose the option you need and click “OK.”

Disk Partition Backup

Step 4.  Select the location where you want to save your backup.

Select the backup destination

Step 5. For disk/partition backups, you can choose to save the backup to a local drive or a NAS.

Step 5 of Disk Backup

Step 6: Once the backup is complete, the task will appear on the left. Right-click on any task to manage your backups further – for example, to restore a backup or create an incremental backup.

Disk Backup Step 6

Bottom line

If you have important data stored on your SD card, the loss of files that get deleted on their own can be devastating. While there are data recovery programs available, it's best to avoid the risk altogether. Try any one of these five solutions to fix the problem.

Aside from that, it's always advisable to back up important data. Using cloud storage for backup purposes is a better option than resorting to recovery software. Tools like Todo Backup can be used to back up all your important data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my files get deleted automatically?

There can be multiple reasons for your files getting deleted repeatedly. These include the presence of malicious files/applications or bad sectors on the SD card.

2. Which virus deletes files?

CIH, also known as the Chernobyl virus or Spacefiller, is a virus that specifically targets Windows systems and is capable of deleting files stored on SD cards.

3. Can I get a virus without downloading anything?

Yes, connecting your device to an infected device or visiting a malicious website can infect your device with a virus.

Why did my SD card suddenly become damaged?

Your SD card might suddenly become corrupt due to improper usage, malware, bad sectors, manufacturing defects, or physical damage.