How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card without Losing Data

SD cards are those handy little chip-like memory cards used to store and transfer data like photos, music, and documents across various devices. You probably use SD cards without thinking, until something goes awry. As with all kinds of files and data, SD cards can become corrupted, making it difficult for you to access your files. However, there may be simple steps you can take to fix the corruption.

In this post, we explain what SD card corruption is, why it happens, and how to recover your files. If you know your SD card is corrupted and you’re worried about losing your important data, we can help. We provide SD card recovery services and won’t charge you if we can’t recover your data.

Signs of a Damaged or Corrupted SD Card

An SD card can become corrupted when the file system is disrupted, usually because of improper ejection from a device, sudden power loss, or switching between incompatible devices. Physical damage can also corrupt an SD card, as water, extreme temperatures, and wear and tear can cause data loss. The following sections help you distinguish between a corrupted or damaged SD card and what you can do next.

Signs of a Corrupted SD Card

When an internal issue like file system corruption or bad sectors affects how data is stored and read, your SD card can become corrupted, causing error messages or making the card unreadable by your device.

Signs of a corrupted SD card include:

Error messages that indicate the file is corrupted, unreadable, or inaccessible.
Your device’s memory reader is unable to detect or read your memory card.
Although the memory card appears, a read/write error prevents you from saving or accessing files.
The letter for the SD card is missing or not seen.
After opening files from the card, they appear distorted or you get an error message.
You can view the card’s folder, but not all the files are listed.
You can’t find a folder listed for the SD card.
The card shows up as RAW, indicating that either the file system is unrecognized or the card is corrupted.
When you attempt to use the card in any way, you notice your computer slows down or crashes completely.

Signs of a Damaged SD Card

The most common causes of damage include water exposure, dust, dropping the card, or experiencing electrical surges while connected to other hardware. You can also damage your SD card by improperly handling it when inserting it into a card reader on the computer.

Signs of a damaged SD card include:

Physical damage like cracks or scratches
Metal contacts on the SD card that are corroded
Your device can’t detect or read the card

If you know your SD card is physically damaged, remove it and dry it if it is wet. Make sure you place it in an anti-static bag, making notes of what happened to the card and its total and used capacity.

Don't try to repair the damaged SD card at home or you risk permanently losing your data. Secure Data Recovery knows how to fix a damaged SD card, with specialized tools that correct physical defects in the card. Contact us today if you need SD card recovery services.

Basic Troubleshooting Methods to Try First

Make sure to rule out basic issues before resorting to more advanced troubleshooting methods. If your SD card isn’t working, there may be an issue with the reader or connection. Restart your device, then run through these quick checks. If your card still isn’t working, move on to the next section.

Check for loose connections and make sure the card is properly inserted into your device’s port.
Not all SD cards are supported by the card reader on your device. Make sure your device supports your memory card or you’re using the proper adapter. For example, you need an adapter to use a micro SD card in a regular SD card slot.
Check the card reader for damage, dust, or debris. Damaged card readers shouldn’t be used, and dirty or dusty ones offer poor contact between the card and the card reader. Clean dust and debris with a can of compressed air made for electronic devices.
If the card is dirty, you can clean it by lightly wiping the area that is dirty with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol. You can also use a contact cleaner made for electronic devices.
Use the memory card on another compatible device. If it works, the card reader slot or USB drive on the original device may be damaged.
Check your SD card for write protection by locating the small switch on the side. If it's in the locked position, you can’t save or modify data on it. So switch it to the "unlocked" position.
Check for malware by scanning your computer, then remove malicious software because it can corrupt or hide files on your SD card.

If you still have issues with the memory card or card reader, you should check out the following section for more help on troubleshooting and recovering your SD card data.

How to Fix a Corrupt SD Card on Windows

Utilities like CHKDSK or the Windows Repair Tool can scan and repair file system errors. These tools can help identify what happened with the card, and they might help you with file recovery so you can avoid having to format SD cards that get corrupted. The following sections offer several different ways you can fix corrupted SD cards on Windows.

1. Show and Recover Hidden Files

Showing hidden files is a good first step to determining if your data is still on the card but just isn't visible. By choosing to reveal hidden files, you can recover the hidden items and rule out more serious corruption issues.

Here are two ways to show hidden files in Windows:

In File Explorer, go to View > Show > Hidden Items.
Alternatively, you can type Show Hidden Files into the search box located on the taskbar, and then click Show Hidden Files in File Explorer. Next to Show Hidden and System Files, toggle the switch to the on position.

If you can now view and access the files, they were simply hidden. However, if you don’t see any hidden files the loss is due to a deeper issue.

2. Try Windows Troubleshooter for External Device Repair

Windows has its own troubleshooting feature so you can fix issues related to hardware and external devices, including your SD card. The following steps show you how to run the Windows troubleshooter in both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.
Type the following in the blank labeled Open: msdt.exe-id Device Diagnostic. Click OK.
Click the Next button in the window that appears (Hardware and Devices) to begin the scan.

After you’ve finished the troubleshooting process, check to see if the memory card is recognized. If it still isn't working, move on to the next section.

3. Update SD Card Drivers

Sometimes, outdated or corrupted SD card drivers can fail to recognize the card properly, so update drivers to ensure compatibility between the operating system and SD card.

To update the card drivers:

Open the Device Manager, which you can find by searching for it in the Start menu.
Select and update the SD drivers and allow Windows to search for any more updates.

If Windows can’t find any, check out the manufacturers’ website to find the latest driver that you can install.

If you’re still running into issues with lost files, check out the next section for how to proceed.

4. Run CHKDSK to Fix Bad Sectors

A bad sector is an area on the SD card where data can’t be read or written properly, but you can use the CHKDSKWindows utility to fix it. This utility runs via the command-line interface, which allows you to input text commands from your keyboard for a variety of actions. CHKDSK, in particular, can fix file system errors like bad sectors so you can use your SD card again.

Make sure your data is backed up before taking this step, as accidents with the CHKDSK command can result in lost data.

To run CHKDSK, follow these steps in Windows:

Access the command prompt utility through one of the following ways.
- Type cmd into the search area of your Taskbar and select Command Prompt.
- Press the Windows + X key and select either PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
Either way, you may have to click “yes” to give the app permission to make changes to your computer.
In the black window that appears next, type chkdsk letter: /R /F /X then press Enter, but replace the word “letter” with whatever letter is assigned to your SD card.

The /F command in CHKDSK fixes any issues with the SD card’s file system, ensuring everything is organized properly. The /R command scans the entire card for damaged areas and tries to repair them. The /X command temporarily unmounts the card, making sure it’s safe to fix while it's not being used.

This process may take several hours, depending on the size and speed of your SD card, but you’ll need to wait for CHKDSK to complete.

5. Assign a New Drive Letter

A new drive letter can help eliminate conflicts that your SD card might have with other devices. It will help ensure that your card remains detected and accessible.

To manually assign a drive letter:

Press the Windows + X key
Select Disk Management
Right-click the SD card and select the Change Drive Letter and Paths option
Choose a new drive letter and confirm

If you’re still not able to access the data on your SD card, contact us for help recovering your data.

How to Fix a Corrupt SD Card on a Mac

If you’re a Mac user experiencing SD card corruption, you can use the Disk Utility to repair the file system errors or update macOS. Try the steps in this section if the basic troubleshooting methods don't work for you.

1.Update macOS

Updating macOS is a good place to start, as it can fix any bugs or glitches that might have prevented your SD card from working or being recognized. It can also help improve compatibility and performance.

As always when going to update a device, make sure you’ve backed up your data. Then, connect to the internet. Here’s how you can then update and reinstall your software:

From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings

Click General in the sidebar of the window that opens

Click Software Update on the right

If you don't have System Settings in the Apple menu, choose System Preferences instead. In the window that opens, select Software Update.

When you open Software Update, it will begin checking for new software to install. If it’s available, click the button to update or upgrade it. There is a chance that there is no software to update, which means you should be on the newest software version.

Use the App Store instead if your Mac doesn’t include Software Update. There should be an updates tab in your Applications folder that you can use to update your device.

If the memory card or card reader still does not work, go on to the next step.

2. Display and Recover Files

Important files may be hidden due to system errors, malware, or accidental changes. Revealing these files can help you determine whether the data is still on the card and recover it without needing more advanced repairs.

To view hidden files,

Open Finder to select your drive under "Locations" and open the Macintosh HD folder.
Press Command + Shift + . (period) to reveal hidden files. You can do this in other folders like Documents, Applications, and Desktop as well.

The files that are grayed out are system files you shouldn’t alter, but you can still view them. You can unhide any relevant files. Once done, press Command + Shift + . (period) again to hide the files and avoid accidentally changing anything.

If the memory card or card reader still does not work, go to the next step.

3. Repair Using Disk Utility

You can use Disk Utility to fix a corrupted SD card via the First Aid feature This feature will scan for and repair errors and can resolve issues that prevent your Mac from reading or writing to the card. Fixing these issues can get you access to your data again.

To check and repair a disk, you should run First Aid on each volume and container on the storage device, and then run First Aid on the storage device itself. If the disk is about to fail (Disk Utility will alert you), you need to not only back up your data but also replace the disk because you won’t be able to repair it.

The following process outlines how to use Disk Utility:

Go to View > Show All Devices while in the Disk Utility app.
Select a volume from the sidebar and click First Aid.
Select Run and follow the instructions.
Click done once First Aid finishes.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each volume on the storage device.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each container on the storage device by selecting each container in step 2 instead of a volume.
Repeat these steps (2 through 4) for your storage device by selecting the storage device in step 2 instead of a volume.

What Not to Troubleshoot

There are plenty of safe solutions for repairing SD cards on the Internet, but you need to be careful as sometimes professional help is the safest option for recovering data. Here is what you should avoid:

Formatting the SD card: This wipes all data, so only attempt it as a final option when after you’ve exhausted other options. As always, talk to a professional with a recovery tool to be sure that the data definitely can’t be recovered first.
DIY repairs for physical damage: When a SD card is physically damaged, it becomes very delicate, which means DIY fixes can cause you to lose your data permanently. So before you attempt any repair, consult data recovery services first.

If you encounter physical damage or can't resolve the issue through troubleshooting, it's best to contact a professional SD card recovery service like Secure Data Recovery.

Tips to Prevent SD Card Corruption

Preventing SD card corruption is the best way to help you avoid data loss and card failure. Here are some tips to help you avoid corruption:

Properly eject the SD card. Remove the SD card via the “eject” function to help prevent corruption.
Use high-quality SD cards. Trusted brands can be relied upon for quality SD cards
Use the SD card on select devices. Only use SD cards on devices with which they’re compatible to avoid data corruption.
Don’t force SD cards into slots. You can permanently damage your SD card if you don’t handle it carefully.
Store cards safely. When you’re not using your SD cards, store them in a safe, dry place to protect them from elements that can cause damage and data loss.
Avoid overfilling your SD card. You can keep your card in peak performance by keeping some space on your SD card.
Limit the number of write/erase cycles. You can wear out the memory cells of your SD card with excessive writing or erasing, which will increase the risk of data corruption.
Run CHKDSK regularly. Run CHKDSK regularly to fix file system errors and avoid SD card corruption.
Scan for malware. Consistently run reliable antivirus software on your device to keep it protected.
Keep computer software up to date. Updated software reduces the risk of SD card incompatibility and corruption.

Recovering Data from a Corrupted SD Card

If your SD card isn’t working, don’t worry. At Secure Data Recovery, our expert team uses advanced tools and data recovery software to retrieve files from all types of devices, including SD cards. With the “No Data, No Recovery Fee,” you will only pay if we can recover data. Put your mind at ease and give us a call today.

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How to Repair a Corrupted SD Card Without Losing Data