SD cards can and do stop working eventually. However, there are steps you can take to extend the life of your SD card and recover data from one that has stopped working.
Why Do SD Cards Stop Working?
There are several reasons SD cards can stop functioning properly:
- Physical damage – Dropping or bending the card can damage the components inside.
- Corruption – Removing the card before it has finished writing data can corrupt the file system.
- Wear and tear – Repeated reading and writing to the card wears it down over time.
- Manufacturing defects – There can be flaws in the NAND flash memory or controller.
Physical Damage
SD cards have delicate electronic components inside that can fail if the card gets physically damaged. Dropping, bending, getting wet, or other physical impacts can break the card. The gold contacts are also susceptible to damage and corrosion.
Data Corruption
One common cause of SD card failure is file system corruption. This happens when you remove the card from a device before it has finished writing data. This can leave incomplete data on the card that causes problems. Using the “safely eject” function helps prevent corruption.
Wear and Tear
SD cards have a limited lifespan and can wear out from repeated use. The memory cells inside the NAND flash storage can break down after being rewritten thousands of times. The controller also has a finite lifespan. Higher quality cards typically last longer.
Manufacturing Defects
While rare, there can also be defects within the memory modules or controller chip that initially slipped past quality control. This can lead to premature failure of the SD card.
How Long Do SD Cards Last?
SD card lifespan varies substantially based on usage and environmental factors. Here are some estimates for average lifespans under typical conditions:
| SD Card Type | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Class 2 SD card | 2-5 years |
| Class 10 SD card | 4-8 years |
| UHS-I SD card | 8-12 years |
| UHS-II SD card | 12-15 years |
| UHS-III SD card | 15-20 years |
Higher speed class ratings generally indicate better quality cards with longer endurance. Top tier UHS-III cards can last up to 20 years with typical use. Lower class cards may last only 2-5 years before failure.
Usage Frequency
How often you read and write data to the SD card also affects its lifespan. Power-cycling the card when booting devices creates stress. Cards used daily in cameras or other gadgets tend to wear out faster than those used for occasional storage.
Environmental Conditions
Exposure to high heat, moisture, cold, and other environmental hazards can accelerate demise. Cards used exclusively indoors in climate-controlled conditions last longer. Large fluctuations in temperature and operating outside environmental limits decrease longevity.
Brand & Build Quality
Respected brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Sony tend to produce longer-lasting SD cards than some budget no-name brands. Higher priced cards typically use higher-grade NAND chips and more robust controllers.
How to Extend the Life of an SD Card
You can maximize the lifespan of your SD cards with proper maintenance and handling. Here are some tips:
- Use the “safely eject” function before removing cards to avoid corruption.
- Store cards properly in a cool, dry place when not in use.
- Be gentle and avoid dropping or bending cards.
- Don’t expose cards to liquids, dust, humidity, high heat, etc.
- Don’t use cards beyond their temperature rating.
- Replace cards used in demanding applications after 2-3 years.
- Consider using high-grade UHS-II or UHS-III cards for longevity.
- Reformat cards every 6-12 months to minimize bad sectors.
Safely Eject Before Removing
Always use the “eject” or “safely remove” function before taking out an SD card. This ensures all writes finish properly. Removing a card during a write can corrupt data.
Proper Storage Conditions
Try to store unused SD cards in a controlled storage environment. A cool, dry cabinet or drawer works best. Avoid letting cards sit in very hot or very cold places like a car on a summer or winter day.
Avoid Physical Damage
Be careful when handling SD cards to avoid bending or snapping them. Don’t force cards into slots. Use proper readers rather than janky USB adapters. Keep cards protected in cases when not in use.
Keep Away From Harmful Elements
Dust, dirt, liquids, and other contaminants can damage SD cards. Avoid getting cards dirty and watch out for humidity exposure. Never clean a card with anything other than a microfiber cloth.
Stay Within Temperature Ratings
Don’t use or store SD cards anywhere extremely hot or cold. Most are rated for -25°C to 85°C. Using a card outside its ratings, like in a hot car, can permanently damage it.
Replace Frequently Used Cards
For cards used heavily in DSLRs, dash cams, or other write-intensive devices, consider replacing them every 2-3 years. The extra expense helps avoid failures of irreplaceable data.
Invest in Better Cards
Higher-tier SD cards will survive more read/write cycles before failure. UHS-II and UHS-III cards have more robust memory and last through more operations.
Reformat Cards Periodically
Reformatting an SD card every 6-12 months allows the controller to remap any bad sectors on the memory. This avoids using failing sectors repeatedly.
How to Recover Data from a Dead SD Card
If you have irreplaceable photos or other data stored on an SD card that has stopped working, don’t panic yet. There are some steps you may be able to take to recover the data:
- Try the card in another device – Sometimes the issue is with the reader, not the card.
- Check for physical damage – Carefully inspect card for any visible damage or dirt.
- Recover data using software – Utilities like Disk Drill can read unreadable cards.
- Use a card reader – Dedicated USB card readers can sometimes access dead cards.
- Send to a recovery service – For valuable data, pros can dismantle the card in a lab environment.
Attempt Access in Another Device
The first step is trying the non-functional card in a different camera, computer, or device. If it works there, then the issue was with the original device’s card reader, not the card itself.
Inspect for Any Physical Issues
Closely check the SD card for signs of damage, like bends or snapped plastic. Also look for dirt, grime, or moisture that could be interfering with the gold contacts. Clean with isopropyl alcohol if dirty.
Use Data Recovery Software
Software like Disk Drill have specialized algorithms that can read unreadable cards and recover data. This works when the file system is corrupted but the NAND chips are still intact.
Try a Dedicated Card Reader
USB card readers with dedicated SD slots are less prone to compatibility issues. Trying a specialized reader may provide access to cards that don’t work in cameras or built-in computer readers.
Seek Professional Data Recovery
For business or personal data that absolutely cannot be lost, use a professional recovery service. They can dismantle cards in a cleanroom and rebuild the data at the component level.
Signs Your SD Card Is Failing
Watch for these warning signs that indicate your SD card may be on the verge of failure:
- Slow performance – Read/write speeds slower than normal
- Freezing and lag – Device freezes when accessing card
- Unmounting issues – Card unexpectedly unmounts from computer
- Corrupted data – Files or photos on card appear corrupted
- Recognition failure – Card not detected by devices
Declining Read/Write Speeds
One early sign of a dying SD card is substantially slower read and write times. As memory cells and the controller wear out, performance drops. Check speeds with a benchmark app.
Freezing and Lagging
SD cards on the brink of failure can cause freezing and lagging when the card is accessed, like when saving photos. The device may be unresponsive until the write operation finishes.
Spontaneous Unmounting
An SD card might randomly unmount itself from your computer if the card is having issues communicating properly with the interface. This usually means the card is faulty.
Data Corruption
Photos, videos, and other data on a failing SD card can appear corrupted. Images and videos may be unreadable or glitchy. The card controller is having trouble reliably reading data.
Not Detected by Devices
One surefire sign of total SD card failure is when it is no longer detected by cameras, computers, or other devices. The card reader chips are damaged or no longer powered on.
Best Practices to Avoid SD Card Failure
You can help prevent SD card failure by following these best practices:
- Buy reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung
- Match your card’s speed rating and type to device
- Use UHS-I or better for demanding applications
- Eject properly before removing card
- Format in camera vs. computer for reliability
- Handle gently and store in cases
- Back up important files to multiple locations
Stick With Reputable Brands
Quality SD cards from leading manufacturers like SanDisk, Samsung, and Sony tend to last considerably longer than cheap no-name cards.
Make Sure Card Meets Device Speed
Check your device documentation and get a card with the recommended speed class rating or higher. Using too slow of a card can cause issues.
Get UHS-I or Faster for Heavy Use
Cards with the UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) rating or faster are best for demanding devices. They handle repeated writes better for fewer failures.
Always Eject Properly
Never remove an SD card when it might still be writing data. Safely ejecting ensures the write cache is flushed first.
Format Cards in Camera
Cameras format cards in an optimized way for reliability. Formatting on your computer can increase the chances of corruption.
Handle With Care
Be gentle with SD cards. Don’t bend them or subject them to physical shocks that can damage the components inside. Use protective cases.
Backup Important Files
No SD card lasts forever, so always have backups of your valuable photos, videos, and other data stored in multiple locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SD card keep failing?
Frequent SD card failure can be caused by low quality cards with poor endurance, improper ejection before removing the card, exceeded temperature ratings, or physically damaging the cards.
Can you fix a broken SD card?
If the SD card case or components are physically damaged, it is usually impossible to fix. Software recovery tools can sometimes help retrieve data from a corrupted card.
Do SD cards go bad if not used?
SD cards can go bad over time even if not used frequently. The storage cells still slowly degrade. However, using cards accelerates wear compared to not using them.
Can you recover photos from a damaged SD card?
Specialized data recovery software can often recover photos from a corrupted or damaged SD card, as long as the NAND flash components are intact. But recovery success is not guaranteed.
Is it normal for SD cards to fail?
It is considered normal for SD cards to eventually fail after a certain amount of use, usually 2-10 years. Better quality cards fail less often. Failure rates up to 1-2% annually are not uncommon.
Conclusion
While SD card failure is inevitable at some point, there are ways to maximize card lifespan through proper handling, maintenance, and storage. Investing in high-end cards and reformulating regularly also helps avoid data loss. Backing up important files provides an extra safeguard. With some careful practices, you can get many years of reliable service from your SD cards.