How to Recover Data from a Damaged SD Card Using 8 Methods

We've all been there – you have a corrupted SD card, and it's incredibly frustrating, especially when you think you've lost precious personal photos or other data forever. However, if you know what to do, it's relatively easy to recover data from a damaged SD card, and that's what we're here to talk about.

Apart from severe third-party interference through spyware and computer viruses, we may also accidentally lose data on our SD cards when we format or delete files from them unintentionally. Sometimes, we might damage the SD card due to mishandling, incorrectly inserting or removing it from devices, or interrupting the formatting process. Let's walk through how to address all these situations and recover all stored information step by step.

Recover Data from a Damaged SD Card with 2 Effective Methods

When your SD card gets corrupted, stop using the device immediately to prevent overwriting the data. Then, use either of these two most effective methods to recover your data.

Method 1: Use an SD Card Data Recovery Program

There are many users searching for a simple way to recover corrupted SD card. Data Recovery Wizard Professional is renowned in the data industry.

Top features and advantages of a SD card data recovery tool:

• Recover Data from Corrupted SD Card, and fix damaged, formatted, or virus-infected SD cards
• Retrieve lost photos, videos, documents, and other media files from a damaged SD card
• Supports SD card recovery for all major brands including SanDisk, Transcend, Sony, Lexar, and more

Download the professional data recovery software, and then follow the steps below to fix your corrupted SD card.

Step 1: Select the SD Card to Scan

• Download and install the Data Recovery Wizard tool on your Windows computer.
• Connect your SanDisk/Lexar/Transcend SD card to the computer correctly.
• Open the SD card recovery software, and select "SD Card Recovery" on the left side. All connected drives will be displayed here. Choose your SD card and click "Scan."

Step 2: Review the scan results

• Wait for the scanning process to finish.
• Select one or more file types to display, like pictures or videos.
• Click "Preview" to check if they're the files you need.

Step 3: Recover Data from SD Card

• Preview the recovered files, then click “Restore.”
• Choose a location other than the original SD card to save the restored files.

Please share this professional SD card recovery tool on your network to help more users easily restore their lost files.

Method 2: Repair the Damaged SD Card with a Data Recovery Service

If your SD card is severely damaged, you won't be able to retrieve data with recovery software. In this case, sending your damaged SD card to a professional data recovery center is a good option. Our professional data recovery service employs the following top-notch technologies to achieve this.

And, of course, China must handle its new role carefully.

Tool Data Recovery Services

Contact our experts for a free evaluation.

Consult with Tool Data Recovery specialists for one-on-one manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Format SD cards without data loss
• Repair RAW SD cards
• Recover data that cannot be retrieved by data recovery software
• Retrieve data from SD cards in various severe conditions, including undetected SD cards, wrong capacity, or unknown file systems

6 More Ways to Recover Data from a Damaged SD Card

There are more effective solutions that can help you fix the corrupted SD card and recover lost data.

Method 1: Access the data using another device or card reader

If the issue is with the card reader, using a new memory card reader might help resolve the problem, and this can work in some cases. You can also try using a different device to read your SD card, as sometimes the issue can be with the system of the device you're using.

Method 2: Try the SD Card in Another Computer or Camera

Sometimes, the computer or camera you're using to read the SD card might be the problem. Try another device, and you may solve the issue and recover your files quickly.

Method 3: Repair the SD Card with CHKDSK

Running the CHKDSK command can sometimes help recover data from a damaged SD card. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Insert the SD card into your computer/laptop using a card reader.

Step 2. Type cmd in the search bar and press “Enter.”

3. Click cmd.exe to open the Command Prompt window.

Type CHKDSK F: /f /r /x.

Method 4: Assign a New Drive Letter to the SD Card

Assigning a new drive letter to the SD card can also help recover data from a corrupted SD card.

Step 1. Connect the Micro SD card to your computer and select “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Find your SD card and right-click on it.

Step 3: Click “Change drive letter and paths.”

After you've made the changes, restart your computer and try connecting the SD card again to see if your data has returned.

Method 5: Update the SD Card Driver

In some cases, outdated SD card drivers fail to read the data on the card, so updating them can fix the problem.

Step 1: Right-click on Device Manager in the Start menu.

Step 2: Click on "Drive" to expand the section.

Step Three: Right-click on the SD card and choose “Update.”

4. Remove the SD card, and then restart your computer.

Method 6: Format the SD Card

Sometimes, formatting the unresponsive or corrupted SD card can help resolve the issue and let you read the data files stored on it again.

Step 1: Open “My Computer” or “File Explorer.”

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

Step 3: Choose either FAT32 or exFAT. Then, click “Start.”

Understanding SD Card Damage

We've already mentioned the reasons for SD card damage, but now we should delve deeper into these scenarios to fully understand the causes.

Physical Damage: Given their small size and fragile construction, microSD cards can be easily damaged physically. While many cards are water-resistant, severe water damage is still possible. Since microSD cards contain electronic components, they can be damaged if a device fails and causes an electrostatic discharge.

Corrupted File System: The file system is essential whenever you want to access data saved on an SD card. Hence, any malfunction in the file system can damage your SD card first and make it inaccessible.

Interrupted SD card formatting: You might format your SD card for various reasons, and if the process is abruptly stopped by the user or an error occurs during it, this can damage the card.

Wrong insertion/removal: A SD card's circuits can be damaged — and the card rendered unusable — if it is inserted or removed incorrectly or with too much force.

Virus or Malware: A virus or malware attack can cause an SD card to fail, as the virus will immediately access the data stored on the SD card. The data may become unreadable, and the card may become inaccessible.

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Tips for Preventing SD Card Damage in the Future

Store the SD cards safely. Make sure that the SD cards are stored in a case so they don't get scratched or bent. Also, store all of your SD cards in a place that isn't too humid or hot, as this can damage the electronics and the data stored on them.

Use the Eject Function: Make sure to use your computer's "eject" function before removing the memory card from the reader, as the computer may still be transferring/retrieving data from the card. Pulling it out of the USB port on your computer while it's still active can damage the SD card.

Caution: Handle the SD card with care: Avoid accidentally deleting, formatting, or using the SD card in multiple devices.

Update the SD card firmware: Make sure that the device firmware is up to date to ensure compatibility and prevent potential issues with the SD card.

?Back up data: Regularly copy data from the SD card to another location in case of damage or loss.

The bottom line?

Small and portable, SD cards are used by most of us to store important data, including precious photos and videos. So when they fail – especially after we've used them in a camera or to store work-related files on a phone – it can be a major headache.

We've discussed the most common reasons for SD card damage, including physical damage, virus attacks, formatting issues, and more. These can all be avoided if you handle the card properly. However, damage can still occur, and you find yourself unable to open or read files stored on your SD card.

In this case, you can try some solutions like using the CHKDSK command, changing the drive letter, inserting it on another device, or updating it. However, these methods may fail, and in that case, using professional data recovery software such as the Data Recovery Wizard tool would be your best option.