How to Recover Data from a Damaged SD Card

7 Ways to Repair a Damaged SD Card and Recover Files:

1. Method 1. Try a different USB port, adapter, or card reader.
2. Method 2. Use SD card data recovery software to retrieve files from it.
3. Method 3. Perform corrupted SD card recovery using professional data recovery services.
4. Method 4. Change the SD card's drive letter.
5. Method 5. Repair the corrupted file system on the SD card with the CHKDSK command.
6. Method 6. Update the SD card driver to fix the corrupted SD card.
7. Method 7. Format the corrupted SD card without losing data.

# How to Tell If an SD Card Is Corrupted ## Part 1: Identifying the Signs of a Corrupted SD Card 1. **Experience unusual errors while using the SD card.** If you're getting error messages or your device is having trouble reading the card, it might be corrupted. 2. **Photos or files are missing.** Check if files that were previously saved on the SD card are no longer accessible or have disappeared. 3. **Files become corrupted or unreadable.** You may see file names change, files appear as empty folders, or you get error messages when trying to open them. 4. **The SD card appears empty.** Even if you know there should be content on the card, it shows no files or folders when you view it. 5. **The SD card suddenly becomes write-protected.** You can't save new data or delete existing files, and the "write protect" switch is in the correct position. 6. **The card reader or device doesn't recognize the SD card.** It might show up as "unknown device" or not appear at all in the file explorer. ## Part 2: Checking the SD Card for Corruption 1. **Insert the SD card into a card reader.** Connect the card reader to your computer to access the card's contents. 2. **Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).** Navigate to the SD card to view its contents. 3. **Scan the SD card with your operating system.** * **Windows:** Right-click the SD card, choose "Properties," then click "Tools." Under "Error checking," click "Check." * **Mac:** Open "Disk Utility" from the "Utilities" folder in "Applications." Select the SD card and click "First Aid." 4. **Use a third-party disk utility tool.** * Tools like H2Testw (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) can help identify corruption issues. 5. **Format the SD card (with caution).** * If the previous steps don't resolve the issue, formatting may be necessary but will erase all data. Make sure to back up any recoverable files first. ## Part 3: Recovering Data from a Corrupted SD Card 1. **Use data recovery software.** * Programs like Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or TestDisk can help recover lost files. 2. **Transfer recovered files to a new SD card or storage location.** 3. **Consider professional data recovery services.** * If DIY methods fail, professional services might be able to retrieve your data, although they can be expensive. Remember, prevention is key. Regularly back up important data and handle SD cards with care to minimize the risk of corruption.

"Corruption" is a broad term, and it's difficult to pinpoint precisely what indicates a corrupted SD card. Typically, when a Windows PC, Android phone, or digital camera fails to read or recognize a memory card, it begins displaying unusual error messages that hinder access to the data stored on it. This suggests that the SD card has become corrupted.

If you notice any of the following signs on your memory card, your SD card could be at risk of losing data.

• SD card files not appearing
• No memory card detected on Android or camera
• SD card not visible in Windows Explorer
• SD card displays no media in Disk Management
• SD card shown as RAW in Disk Management
• SD card damaged, attempt reformatting
• Unable to open SD card due to access denied
• Memory card is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?

When your SD memory card begins to act up, arm yourself with some fundamental knowledge to rectify the issue. Unless the SD card is physically dead, broken, or irreparably damaged, you can typically修复大多数损坏的SD卡，借助许多功能强大的SD卡修复工具。

The standard procedure for addressing a corrupted SD card consists of two stages: 1. Corrupted SD Card Recovery; 2. Repairing the Corrupted SD Card. Let's first explore how to recover data from a corrupted SD card, followed by the top five methods to fix the issue.

How to Recover Data from a Corrupted SD Card Without Formatting

We typically access the connected SD card through File Explorer (by pressing the Windows Key + E). If the card is corrupted, it won't show up here 99% of the time. In such a scenario, you can check the SD card using Windows Disk Management (right-click on 'This PC' or 'My Computer' > Manage > Disk Management). The SD card might appear as RAW or unallocated space.

1. Recover Corrupted SD Card with Data Recovery Software

The most effective method to recover data from a corrupted SD card is by utilizing the Data Recovery Wizard tool, which can scan any storage device that you're unable to open or access.

Download the free corrupted SD card recovery software to retrieve files such as photos, videos, and all personal data from the damaged SD card.

Step 1. Connect the SD card, memory card, or CF Card to your computer and launch the memory card recovery software on your PC. The SD card will be listed under the Devices section. Select the SD card and click "Scan" to initiate the search for your lost data.

Step 2. The software will automatically initiate a scan. This scan is powerful enough to locate all lost files, including those with missing file names. Once the scanning process is complete, you can find deleted items from the tree-view panel on the left. If you're searching for a specific file type, like photos, documents, videos, or emails, click on "Filter."

Step 3. You can directly double-click the files to preview their content. After that, select the desired files and click "Recover" to restore them to a secure location on your PC or other external storage devices.

If you found the above guide on corrupted SD card recovery useful, share it with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to assist them in recovering deleted files from the SD card!

2. Corrupted SD Card Recovery Using Data Recovery Services

In the former part of the article, we introduced the efficient corrupted SD card recovery software for you to recover all kinds of data files from the corrupted SD card.

Data security is paramount when dealing with a corrupted or inaccessible memory card. Thankfully, third-party data recovery software can assist in salvaging most of the lost data. However, a common issue is that recovered files won't open after the process. If your files have been compromised due to a corrupted SD card, it's advisable to consult professionals for file repair services to fix the corrupted files on the SD card. Expert data recovery tools can recover data from corrupted SD cards without the need for formatting.

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SD Card Recovery Services by Tools

Contact our experts for a free evaluation now.

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

• Repair damaged RAID configurations, unbootable Windows operating system, and corrupted virtual disk files (e.g., .vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx)
• Recover or repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives
• Undo formatting of hard drives and fix raw drives (including BitLocker encrypted drives)
• Resolve disks that have become protected by GPT partitions

3. Retrieve Data from a Corrupted SD Card via Backup

If your SD card is corrupted, you might be able to recover the data from a backup. The method will depend on the type of backup you have.

For example, if you have a backup on your computer:

Step 1. Go to the location where your backup file is saved.

Step 2. Choose the files you wish to restore and click the "Restore" button.

Step 3. Select the location where you want to save the recovered files and click "OK".

Alternatively, if you have a cloud-based backup, you can download the data from the backup onto your computer and then transfer it to the SD card. Translation: Alternatively, if you have a backup in the cloud, you can download the data from the backup to your computer and then move it to the SD card.

Four More Methods to Recover a Corrupted SD Card

As most corrupted SD memory cards can be repaired, we'll offer you five solutions to completely fix and recover a corrupted SD card on Windows 10/8/7.

1. Change the SD Card Drive Letter

A drive letter conflict can cause Windows to fail to recognize an externally connected removable disk, such as an SD card, leading it to appear corrupted. Assigning a new, unique drive letter to the SD card can help Windows re-detect it.

Step 1. Insert the SD card into your computer and open Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click on the SD card and select "Change drive letter and paths..."

Step 3. Assign a new drive letter to the card.

Once the process is complete, check if you can access your card.

2. Recovering a Corrupted SD Card Using CMD (Command Prompt)

When the file system of the SD card, whether it's NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT, becomes corrupted, you will typically encounter error messages such as "File system is RAW," "Disk needs formatting," "Drive is not accessible," and so forth. This renders the memory card unable to function properly.

Here, we'll attempt to repair the corrupted SD card using Command Prompt.

Step 1. Insert the corrupted SD card into your PC using a card reader.

Step 2. Go to "This PC" and locate your SD card. Note the assigned drive letter.

Step 3. Click on the "Start" button and type "cmd" in the search box.

Step 4. Right-click "Command Prompt" and then choose "Run as administrator."

Step 5. Type the command: chkdsk [sd card drive letter]: /f /r /x and press Enter. Replace the SD card drive letter with the actual letter assigned to your SD card drive.

Caution: Note that this command will result in permanent file loss. Therefore, before executing the operation, make sure you recover data from your corrupted SD card using the reliable Data Recovery Wizard tool.

Chkdsk will begin scanning and rectifying any potential errors on the corrupted SD card, making it readable once more.

3. Update the SD Card Driver to Recover the Corrupted SD Card

The worst scenario is when the SD card doesn't appear in Windows Disk Management. How do you rectify a severely corrupted SD card? You need to consult the Windows Device Manager to check for any updates on the SD card driver. An outdated or damaged driver can also lead to SD card malfunctions.

Step 1. Connect the corrupted SD card to your PC, right-click on This PC/My Computer, and choose "Manage".

Step 2. Click on "Device Manager" and expand "Disk drives".

Step 3. Right-click on the SD card and select "Update driver".

Step 4. Click "Search automatically for updated driver software" and wait for the process to finish.

Step 5. The next time you turn on your computer, Windows will automatically install the latest driver for your SD card.

4. Restore Corrupted SD Card by Formatting

Disk formatting is the most commonly used and effective method to resolve most memory card issues. Bear in mind that formatting the card will erase the data on the SD card. Hence, we recommend performing the SD card data recovery steps beforehand. If you have already formatted the corrupted SD card without backing up its data, you can still utilize tools like Data Recovery Wizard to recover data from the formatted SD card.

Step 1. Keep the SD card connected to your PC. Right-click on 'This PC' or 'My Computer' and select "Manage".

Step 2. Click "Disk Management", locate the SD card, right-click on it, and select "Format".

Step 3. Choose FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT as the file system for the SD card and click "OK" to confirm.

Additional Tips to Prevent Memory Card Corruption

By safeguarding your SD card data, you can reduce the likelihood of potential corruption and loss. Here are some tips:

• Use a reputable brand of SD card and ensure it's compatible with your devices.
• Avoid exposing the SD card to extreme temperatures.
• Store the SD card in a secure, dry location when not in use.
• Do not remove the SD card while it's being used by a device.
• Frequently back up your data to prevent loss of important files.

By following these tips, you can help safeguard your SD card data from corruption and loss. However, despite taking all these precautions, there remains a possibility that issues may still occur. Hence, it's crucial to have a backup strategy in place to retrieve your data when needed. You can create a backup plan using Todo Backup - an acclaimed, free disk imaging backup software.

Share these helpful solutions for recovering damaged SD cards on your social media to assist others facing the same issue.

Conclusion

If your SD card becomes corrupted, there are several options for retrieving the data. You can attempt to recover it from a backup on your computer or another external storage device, or you can utilize data recovery software to scan and restore lost files. However, it's crucial to take measures to protect your SD card data to reduce the likelihood of corruption and loss. By implementing these precautions and having a backup strategy, you can guarantee that your valuable data remains secure and easily accessible.

How to Recover Data from Damaged SD Card - Frequently Asked Questions

Don't worry if you still encounter issues; refer to the frequently asked questions and answers below for further assistance.

< strong >1. Can a corrupted SD card be restored?

Indeed, there are some tips you can attempt to repair a corrupted SD card.

• Resort to Powerful SD Card Recovery Software
• Display Hidden Files on SD Card
• Attempt Manual Data Recovery Service

**2. How do I recover corrupted files from my micro SD card?**

To restore corrupted files on a micro SD card, you can utilize data recovery software, such as the data recovery software tool. This program is capable of scanning and retrieving lost or damaged files from various types of SD cards, including Micro SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards.

3. How to recover data from a corrupted SD card without formatting? To recover data from a corrupted SD card without formatting, you can follow these steps: 1. **Connect the SD Card**: Insert the corrupted SD card into your computer using a card reader or directly into a device with a built-in SD slot. 2. **Stop Using the Card**: Once connected, avoid writing any new data to the card as it may overwrite the existing corrupted files. 3. **Download Data Recovery Software**: Choose a reliable data recovery software, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Stellar Phoenix. Many offer free trial versions. 4. **Launch the Software**: Install and run the chosen data recovery program on your computer. 5. **Scan the SD Card**: Select the corrupted SD card from the list of available drives and initiate a deep scan. This process might take some time, depending on the size of the card. 6. **Preview and Recover Files**: After the scan is complete, browse through the recovered files, preview them (if possible), and select the ones you wish to save. Make sure to save them to a different location than the corrupted SD card. 7. **Repair the SD Card**: If the data recovery process is successful, consider using tools like SD Card Formatter or Disk Utility (on macOS) to format the SD card, which can help fix corruption issues. However, formatting will erase all data, so ensure you've recovered important files first. Remember that data recovery is not always guaranteed, and prevention is key by regularly backing up your files.

To retrieve data from a damaged SD card without formatting, you can utilize data recovery software that supports RAW file systems. Alternatively, you can attempt using the CHKDSK command in Windows or seek professional SD card data recovery services to fix the file system.

< strong > 4. How to recover data from a corrupted SD card on Android?

To retrieve data from a corrupted SD card on an Android device, connect the SD card to a computer and utilize data recovery software for SD card repair. Once the data is recovered, you can fix the corrupted SD card on Android through various methods, such as running chkdsk in the command prompt to repair a damaged Android SD card.