How to Repair a Damaged SD Card Without Data Loss | 2024

How to fix corrupted SD card? What steps will you take when your SD card becomes corrupted or unreadable? Follow the content navigation, and you'll find a comprehensive guide to fixing a corrupted SD card on your own:

An SD card, also referred to as a memory card, is a small, portable, and versatile device commonly utilized for "on-the-go" storage across various devices like digital cameras, Android phones, tablets, and more, enabling the expansion of their storage capabilities.

However, due to frequent insertion and removal of the SD card with an SD card reader, especially without proper ejecting, it's prone to cause file system corruption or bad sectors on the card. If your SD memory card becomes inaccessible or the card is corrupted and unreadable, don't worry. Continue reading, and you'll discover excellent methods to perform SD card repair.

Common Signs of SD Card Corruption/Damage

Aside from improper handling of the SD card, there are numerous common factors that can lead to its malfunction. These include virus infections, interruption during data transfer, removing the SD card while files are being written to it, and more.

Here, we compile a list of symptoms indicating SD card corruption or damage to assist you in promptly identifying whether your SD card is corrupted or damaged. Review the following signs, and you'll determine the condition of your SD card.

How to determine if your SD card is corrupted or damaged:

Upon determining whether your SD card is corrupted or damaged, you can initially attempt to recover data from the corrupted SD card using this link. Subsequently, employ the methods outlined in this tutorial to commence the process of fixing corrupted or damaged SD cards.

How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card Without Losing Data

When your SD card becomes corrupted, the first step is to recover files from the SD card. Data might be lost during the repair process, so it's advisable to retrieve your files beforehand.

您可以尝试以下3种解决方案来恢复损坏的SD卡文件：

• 1. Switch to Powerful SD Card Recovery Software
• 2. Display Hidden Files on SD Card
• 3. Attempt Manual Data Recovery Services

#1. Recover SD Card Data with Data Recovery Software Tools

When your SD card becomes RAW or Windows prompts you to format it before usage, proceed cautiously. The files are still present on the SD card. As quickly as possible, utilize Data Recovery Wizard software to recover the SD card data to another location.

Data recovery software is professional in retrieving deleted, formatted, or inaccessible data in various data loss scenarios.

It's the optimal choice to retrieve your data from a corrupted SD card thanks to its powerful SD card recovery functionality and user-friendly interface.

• 00:30 Introduction to SD card recovery
• 02:58 Connect the SD card to the computer
• 04:15 Recover data with data recovery software

It also functions in retrieving data from computer hard drives, restoring formatted SD cards, and all sorts of storage devices such as USB flash drives, CF cards, etc.

We hope you can share this article to recommend the tool Data Recovery Wizard to more users and assist them in recovering deleted files from SD cards!

#2. Show Hidden Files on SD Card To display hidden files on an SD card, follow these steps: 1. **Connect your SD Card**: Insert the SD card into your device (e.g., computer or smartphone) using a card reader or directly if supported. 2. **Open File Explorer/Manager**: On your device, launch the file explorer or file manager application. This is usually represented by a folder icon. 3. **Enable Hidden File Visibility**: - **Windows**: In the top menu, click on "View" and check the box next to "Hidden items." - **Mac**: In the Finder, go to "View" in the top menu bar, then click "Show Hidden Files." - **Android**: If using the default file manager, tap the three dots (settings) in the top right corner, then choose "Show hidden files." - **iOS**: Hidden files are not directly visible, but you can access them through third-party file managers with hidden file support. 4. **Browse Hidden Files**: Now, navigate to the SD card's directory within the file explorer. You should be able to see files with a dot prefix (e.g., ".hiddenfile") or those that are normally hidden. 5. **Be cautious**: Hidden files may contain system or app data, so avoid modifying or deleting them unless you know what they are. 6. **Disable Hidden File Visibility**: After you're done, repeat step 3 to turn off the visibility of hidden files to prevent accidental changes.

Applies to: Resolves issues where an SD card suddenly appears empty or only displays some files.

If your SD card suddenly appears empty or only displays partial data after fixing the corruption error, the data might be hidden. The alternative is to find hidden files on the SD card:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your PC and press Windows key + E to open Windows Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on the SD card and select "Properties."

Step 3. Go to the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, and click "Show hidden files, folders, and drives".

Step 4. Click "Apply," then "OK."

You'll see the files appearing on the SD card. You might also be interested in learning more ways to show hidden files, and the section below can assist you with that:

Sure, please provide the text that needs to be translated.

How to Display Hidden Files in Windows 10 [4 Easy Methods]

How can you show hidden files in Windows 10? It's not complicated – discover four straightforward ways to do it. Read more >>

#3. Resort to Manual Data Recovery Services

If the SD card recovery tool fails to scan and locate your lost data on the SD card, don't worry. You still have the option to try utilizing professional data recovery services.

Tools Data Recovery Services

Click here to contact our experts for a free evaluation

Consult with Tools Data Recovery Experts for personalized manual recovery assistance. After a FREE diagnosis, we can provide the following services:

• Rebuild RAID without data loss, repair unbootable Windows OS and corrupted virtual disk files (.vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx, etc.)
• Recover/repair lost partitions and re-partitioned drives
• Undeformat hard drive and repair raw drives (including BitLocker encrypted drives)
• Resolve disks that have become protected by GPT partitions

How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card on Windows 11/10/8/7 [9 Methods]

Inspect the symptoms and promptly apply the appropriate solutions for repairing a corrupted/damaged SD card. This video has presented you with five advanced tips to follow.

• 00:19 Main symptoms of a corrupted SD card
• 00:45 Check and clean the SD card
• 01:11 Use the CHKDSK command
• 02:16 Format the SD card

The listed solutions are applicable to fix various levels of SD card corruption, and it is recommended for SD card users to try each method sequentially, from the simplest to the more complex.

1. #1. Reconnect SD Card or Try Another Device
2. #2. Assign a New Drive Letter to SD Card
3. #3. Fix Corrupted SD Card File System with CHKDSK Command
4. #4. Repair Corrupted SD Card With Error Checking
5. #5. Run Windows Troubleshooter
6. #6. Reinstall or Update SD Card Driver
7. #7. Run DiskPart Attributes Command
8. #8. Format SD Card
9. #9. Contact the Manufacturer

Altogether, the 9 ways of SD card repair solutions also work to fix corrupted memory cards, USB drives, external, or internal hard drives. Let's get started.

Fix 1. Reconnect SD Card - Switch SD Card Reader, USB Port, or Try a Different Computer

Applies to: Resolves issues where an SD card is not readable or not detected by computers, cameras, or other devices.

Occasionally, connection problems or power issues might lead to the SD card becoming unreadable. Firstly, it's advisable to rule out external factors that can be resolved with some simple tricks.

Step 1. Unplug and reconnect your SD card to the computer.

Step 2. If your SD card is not showing up, try the following 3 tips:

1. 1. Replace the SD card reader with a new one, insert the SD card into it, and connect it to your PC.
2. 2. Try plugging the SD card into a different USB port on your computer and reconnect it.
3. 3. Connect your SD card to another computer that has not been used before.

接下来，检查你的SD卡是否可见或可读。如果可以，直接跳到本页末尾的损坏或损坏的SD卡恢复部分，立即找回所有重要文件。

如果没有找到任何内容，继续进行以下修复。

Fix 2: Change or Assign a New Drive Letter to the SD Card

Connect your SD card to your computer. If you didn't see the drive letter for your SD card in Disk Management, it's because its drive letter is in conflict with another drive. In this case, your computer won't recognize the SD card, and it will appear corrupted or unreadable.

Changing or assigning a new drive letter to the SD card in Disk Management will fix this error. To add a new drive letter to your card, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Win + X keys and select "Disk Management".

Step 2. Right-click on your SD card and choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths...".

Step 3. Click "Add" or "Change" and assign a new drive letter for the SD card. Then click "OK" to confirm.

Fix 3: Run CHKDSK to Fix and Repair Corrupted SD Card File System

SD cards, like other removable storage devices, have a limited lifespan. They can develop bad sectors or experience file system corruption after extended use.

The CHKDSK command will detect corruption errors in the SD card's file system and eliminate bad sectors. This is also the most feasible method to repair a corrupted SD card without formatting.

Step 1. Insert your SD card into a card reader, then plug the card reader into your computer.

Step 2. Type cmd in the search bar, then right-click on Command Prompt and choose "Run as Administrator".

Step 3. Type chkdsk F: /f /r /x and press Enter.

• "F:" represents the drive letter of the corrupted SD card that needs repairing.
• "/f" is to fix any detected errors.
• "/r" is to locate bad sectors and retrieve readable information.
• "/x" forces the volume to be dismounted before the utility initiates a scan.

Step 4. Type exit when the checking and fixing process is complete.

Upon completing these steps, if you see "Windows has made corrections to the file system" in the command prompt, congratulations. The corrupted SD card has been successfully fixed, and you can now view and use your data again.

Fix 4: Repair Corrupted SD Card with Error Checking

Another practical method to fix SD card corruption errors is by running Windows Error Checking. Follow these steps to repair a corrupted SD card on your own:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

Step 3. Right-click the SD card and select Properties.

Step 4. Go to the Tools tab, and click the Check button.

Allow the scanning process to complete, and then close the scan window once it's finished.

Once that's done, you should be able to access and view your SD card files again. If this method helped you fix your corrupted SD card, please share it with other users.

Fix 5: Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter can identify and rectify issues related to hardware and drivers. If the problem lies with the SD card, the Windows Troubleshooter will attempt to:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Under the Hardware and Devices section, click "Run the troubleshooter".

Wait for the troubleshooting process to finish, and then restart your computer. The issue with the SD card being inaccessible or unreadable should be resolved.

Fix 6: Reinstall the SD Card Driver and Make the SD Card Detectable

Applies to: Resolve the issue where an SD card is not detected or recognized due to an outdated drive driver.

When the SD card is not recognized by Windows at all, it will be invisible both in Windows Explorer and Windows Disk Management. A likely cause for this issue is an outdated SD card driver.

You can attempt to reinstall the driver or update the drivers on Windows 11/10 to make it reappear in the Windows Device Manager:

Step 1. Press the Windows + X keys and select "Device Manager" from the menu.

Step 2. Expand Disk Drives, right-click on the name of your SD card, and select "Uninstall."

Update SD Card Driver to Fix Corruption

Step 3. Click "OK". Restart your computer.

Step 4. Unplug and plug the SD card back into your computer.

Following this, Windows will automatically install the latest driver and restore detection of the SD card.

Fix 7. Run the DiskPart Attributes Disk Clear Read-Only Command to Unlock SD Card 1. Press Windows + X keys and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". 2. Type "diskpart" in the command prompt and press Enter. 3. In the DiskPart console, type "list disk" and press Enter. This will display a list of available disks on your system. 4. Identify the disk number for your SD card. It's usually the smallest one. 5. Type "select disk [number]" (replace [number] with the actual disk number) and press Enter. For example, if the SD card is Disk 1, you would type "select disk 1". 6. Type "attributes disk clear read-only" and press Enter. This command will remove the read-only attribute from the SD card. 7. Type "exit" and press Enter twice to close DiskPart and the Command Prompt. Now, try accessing your SD card again to see if the read-only issue has been resolved.

Occasionally, your SD card might become locked or switch to read-only mode, or it could be write-protected/encrypted by third-party encryption software.

A quick solution is to use the DiskPart utility to clear the read-only attribute. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer. Press Windows key + X, then click "Command Prompt (Admin)".

Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter in the command prompt window.

Step 3. Enter the following command lines one by one and press Enter after each:

Translate the following text into English:
• list disk
• select disk 1
• attributes disk clear readonly

Replace 1 with the disk number of your SD card.

Step 4. Type exit to close the DiskPart window once the process is complete.

Following this, you should be able to open your SD card and access the saved files again. You can read further to learn how to remove write protection on an SD card or USB:

Sure, please provide the text you want me to translate.

The Disk Is Write Protected: Remove Write Protection from USB

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Fix 8: Format SD Card to FAT32 or exFAT

If the card appears as RAW in Windows Disk Management, or the file system of your SD card is unsupported by the Windows computer or camera devices, you'll need to change the file system of the SD card to a compatible one.

Formatting the SD card to NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT can be the optimal solution. This method also helps to restore the SD card's full capacity if it only displays a partial or half capacity.

You can use File Explorer to format the SD card as shown below, or you can utilize an SD card formatter for assistance:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your PC and open File Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on the corrupted SD card, and choose "Format".

Step 3. Choose a suitable file system from NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT.

勾选“快速格式化”然后点击“开始”。

Please note that formatting the data will result in data loss. You can utilize SD card recovery software, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, to retrieve lost files after formatting.

Fix 9. Seek Help from SD Card Manufacturer

Prominent SD card manufacturers such as Seagate, WD, Sony, Samsung, and others also offer services to assist users in fixing SD card corruption or malfunction issues.

If your SD card has a similar error and you can't fix it with the previous 9 solutions, contacting the SD card manufacturer may be your last resort.

If you've already fixed the corrupted SD card, share these useful methods on social media to help more users!

Other Useful Tips to Repair SD Card

Here's a list of potential solutions you can attempt to fix the corrupted SD card:

1. #1. Change the SD Card connection, SD Card adapter, or try a new USB port/PC.
2. #2. Clean the dust on the SD Card chips and reconnect it to the PC.
3. #3. Contact the manufacturer for assistance if it's still under warranty.
4. #4. Bring the damaged SD Card to a local repair center for repair.

Tips 3 and 4 are particularly effective in repairing a physically damaged SD card.

Conclusion

On this page, we have outlined some common symptoms that can help you determine if your SD card is corrupted. Rest assured, you don't need to worry about losing data from the corrupted SD card.

We've gathered over 10 methods to fix a corrupted SD card, along with 3 dependable SD card data recovery solutions to assist you in retrieving lost data after repairing the card. For a swift and secure data recovery process, consider using the tool Data Recovery Wizard as your top choice.

No need to worry about losing your data. Take steps to breathe new life into your corrupted SD card.

"Damaged SD Card Recovery FAQs"

This is the final section of the text, and we hope you have gained more insights into damaged SD card recovery from this part:

**1. Can I retrieve data from a damaged SD card?**

Yes, the optimal solution for recovering data from a corrupted SD card is by using a data recovery tool. You can recover a corrupted SD card with Data Recovery Wizard in just three steps, and this software is also capable of retrieving data from a corrupted hard drive.

Translate the following text into English: 1. Connect your corrupted SD card to a computer and run the Data Recovery Wizard tool to scan it. 2. After clicking the 'Scan' button, the software will immediately start scanning. You can select files during the scanning process. 3. The final step is to recover your files once and for all.

**2. How do I know if my SD card is damaged or not?**

通常，有一些迹象可以让你知道SD卡是否损坏：

1. Digital cameras or other suitable devices fail to recognize the SD card.
2. Desktop computers and card readers display the card as a read-only folder.
3. Files on the SD card appear distorted or show error messages when opened.
4. The card is visible as a folder, but not all of its files are displayed.

3. How to perform an SD card repair?

You can fix your SD card using the following methods:

1. Reconnect the SD card. 2. Assign a new drive letter to the SD card. 3. Repair the corrupted SD card file system using Command Prompt. 4. Fix the corrupted SD card with error checking. 5. Run the Windows Troubleshooter. 6. Reinstall or update the SD card driver. 7. Execute the DiskPart Attribute command. 8. Format the SD card. 9. Contact the Manufacturer for assistance.

4. Can formatting a corrupted SD card fix the issue?

It's one of the available solutions to fix a corrupted SD card. If the SD card is physically damaged, formatting it won't be very helpful.