SD cards have become an essential storage device for many of our gadgets, from phones to cameras. They’re convenient, portable, and can hold a lot of data. However, like any storage medium, SD cards can become corrupted over time. This renders them unusable and can cause you to lose all of the data stored on them. When this happens, you’re probably wondering – can I reformat a corrupted SD card to fix it?
What does a corrupted SD card mean?
An SD card is considered corrupted when the file system on the card becomes damaged. This prevents the operating system from being able to access the data on the card. There are a few common signs that your SD card is corrupted:
- You get error messages when trying to access the card
- Files you know are on the card are missing or seem to be deleted
- The card is no longer recognized by your device
- You experience frequent crashes and freezes when trying to use the card
Corruption usually occurs when the card was improperly ejected before all writes were completed, when there was a sudden loss of power, or due to physical damage. It can happen to cards that are full or have been reused many times.
Quick Fixes
Before reformatting your corrupted SD card, there are a few quick troubleshooting steps you can try:
Try another device
Insert your SD card into a different device like a computer or phone and see if you can access it properly. If it works in one device but not another, the issue is with the card reader, not the card itself.
Check the lock switch
SD cards have a small toggle switch on the side to lock and unlock them. Make sure this switch is in the correct unlocked position so your device can write to the card.
Clean the contacts
Use a soft pencil eraser to gently rub the gold contacts on your SD card. This can help remove any dirt or debris that is causing a connection issue.
Test with recovery software
Try using data recovery software that can scan and repair corrupted cards. This may fix the file system issues so you can access the card again.
When to reformat the SD card
If the quick fixes don’t work, reformatting is the next step. Reformatting basically recreates the file system on your card so your device can store files again.
You SHOULD reformat your SD card if:
- The card is completely unreadable and unusable
- You’ve tried other troubleshooting options without success
- The card errors happen frequently and consistently
- You don’t need to recover any data from the card
You SHOULD NOT reformat if:
- You need to recover lost files and photos from the card
- The card still partially works or you can access some files
- You have not attempted any other troubleshooting steps
Reformatting will wipe out any stored data, so it should only be done if the data on the card is expendable.
How to reformat an SD card
Reformatting an SD card is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:
1. Backup data (if possible)
If there is any data you need to restore from the corrupted card, try to back it up first before reformatting. Put the card in a device that can still read it and copy the files elsewhere.
2. Insert card into computer
Put the SD card into your computer’s card reader slot. This allows you to reformat using the computer.
3. Launch Disk Utility
On a Mac, open the Disk Utility app. On Windows, access the Disk Management utility. These let you erase and format drives.
4. Select SD card
Locate your connected SD card in the utilities. Make sure you have the correct drive selected.
5. Click “Erase”
In Disk Utility, click “Erase” at the top. In Disk Management, right-click the volume and select “Format”.
6. Choose format
SD cards use the FAT32 file system. Select “MS-DOS (FAT)” on Mac or “FAT32” on Windows when prompted.
7. Start erasing
Click “Erase” or “OK” to begin the reformatting process. This removes any previous files and rewrites the file system.
8. Reinsert card
Once done, eject the SD card from your computer and insert it back into your device like a camera or phone. It should now be able to store files again.
Using SD Card Formatter
For the most thorough reformatting, you can use the official SD Card Formatter app from the SD Association. Steps include:
- Download and install SD Card Formatter for Mac or Windows
- Insert your corrupted SD card into the computer
- Open SD Card Formatter and select the drive
- Click “Option” and check “Quick Format” if desired
- Click “Format” to start reformatting process
This utility erases all data and optimizes the card for performance. The “Quick Format” option speeds up the process but may not fix all corruption issues.
Reformatting risks
While reformatting can make an unreadable SD card usable again, there are some risks involved:
- It will erase all data on the card. Back up first if possible.
- There is no guarantee it will fix all corruption issues if damage is severe.
- The card could still fail again soon if it’s degrading.
- You could further corrupt the card if interrupted during reformatting.
To avoid data loss, it’s best to regularly back up your SD cards before they become corrupted.
Improving SD card lifespan
To minimize your chances of a corrupted card, here are some tips:
- Buy name brand cards from reputable retailers
- Handle the card carefully and store in a protective case
- Use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option before taking out the card
- Don’t expose cards to moisture, high heat, or magnets
- Avoid using very old cards that have been overwritten hundreds of times
- Regularly back up important data from the card
Following best practices for using and storing SD cards will help prevent file system corruption down the road.
Recovering lost data from an SD card
If you have important files stored on the corrupted SD card, you may want to attempt data recovery before reformatting. Some options include:
Data recovery software
Programs like Disk Drill and Recuva can scan SD cards and pull intact files from them even if corrupted. This is your best bet for DIY file recovery.
Send to a recovery service
For mechanical failures or major corruption, a professional data recovery service can dismantle the card and attempt to recover the flash memory chips inside. This is expensive but can rescue data even if software can’t.
Use recovery commands
The Linux terminal has tools like TestDisk and Photorec that experts can run to try reconstructing corrupted file systems non-destructively.
If you value the data, it’s worth trying recovery before reformatting as a last ditch option. But reformatting is still the go-to for reviving unusable SD cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reformat an SD card using my phone?
Most modern smartphones have an option in the storage settings to erase or format an SD card. However, using a computer allows for more customizable reformatting options.
How long does it take to reformat an SD card?
If you use the quick format option, reformatting can take just a few minutes. A full format scan can take 30 minutes or more for large capacity cards above 64GB.
Will reformatting fix my SD card corruption?
In many cases, yes. Reformatting rewrites the file system which can resolve errors caused by corruption. But there’s no guarantee it can fix cards with physical damage.
Can I reformat an SD card without losing data?
Unfortunately no, reformatting erases all data on the card. If you need to recover anything, make sure to try copying files or data recovery before reformatting.
Is it safe to reformat an SD card that isn’t corrupted?
You can safely reformat a healthy SD card if desired without damaging it. Just be aware this erases all content, so backup any files or data first.
Summary
- Corrupted SD cards have file system errors that make them unreadable.
- Before reformatting, try quick fixes like using a different device or cleaning the contacts.
- Use Disk Utility on Mac or Disk Management on Windows to erase and reformat the SD card.
- SD Card Formatter provides a more thorough reformatting utility.
- This will fix many corruption issues, but will erase all card data.
- Recovery software can possibly restore lost files before reformatting.
Reformatting your SD card is a reliable solution for restoring usability when it becomes corrupted. But the process will wipe the card, so recover what you can first or use reformatting as a last resort if the card is totally unusable. With software tools for recovery and reformatting, you can usually revive even badly corrupted cards.