Having corrupted or lost videos on your SD card can be extremely frustrating. SD cards are prone to corruption and data loss for a variety of reasons – everything from removing the card before properly ejecting it, to hardware failures, viruses, or even accidental deletion. Thankfully, in many cases it is possible to recover your lost or corrupted videos with the right software and techniques.
What causes video files on an SD card to become corrupted?
There are several potential causes of video file corruption on SD cards:
- Improperly removing the SD card from your camera or device without properly ejecting it first. This can cause file system corruption.
- Damage to the SD card’s circuit board or internal components, often from dropping or bending the card.
- Issues when writing video files to the card, like an unexpected power loss or camera malfunction during recording.
- Using a low quality, unreliable SD card that is prone to errors.
- Malware or viruses infecting the files on the SD card.
- Formatting or deleting the SD card’s files improperly, without using the full reformat option.
- Exceeding the SD card’s storage capacity, resulting in data corruption.
To reduce the chance of video file corruption, it’s important to properly eject the SD card before removal, use reputable high-endurance SD cards, and be careful not to exceed the card’s storage capacity.
How can I recover corrupted video files from the SD card?
If your video files on the SD card have become corrupted or lost, there are several potential routes to recover them:
Use recovery software
Specialized data recovery software is often the most effective way to recover corrupted videos from SD cards. Software like Disk Drill, Stellar Phoenix Video Repair, and OnTrack EasyRecovery include SD card video recovery features. These tools scan the card, extract recoverable video data, and reconstruct the corrupted video files so they can be viewed again.
Steps to use video recovery software:
- Download and install the video recovery software on your computer.
- Connect the SD card to the computer, either via a card reader or by inserting into the camera and connecting it via USB.
- Launch the recovery software and scan the SD card.
- Preview found video files and select those to recover.
- Specify a folder to save the recovered video files to.
- Complete the video recovery process.
The better the data recovery software, the higher the chance of restoring your corrupted videos from even severely damaged SD cards. Just make sure not to save any new data onto the card before recovering the videos, as it may overwrite them.
Try the CHKDSK built-in utility (Windows)
For minor SD card file corruption, the CHKDSK utility built into Windows can potentially fix the file system errors and restore access to videos. CHKDSK scans for logical errors and recovers readable data.
To use CHKDSK:
- Insert the SD card into your computer’s card reader or camera connected via USB.
- Open the File Explorer and right click on the connected SD card.
- Select Properties > Tools > Check in the pop-up menu.
- Check both checkboxes in the new window and click Start. This scans and repairs file system errors.
- Let the repair process finish completely before accessing the SD card files.
If CHKDSK is able to repair the card’s file system damage, your corrupted videos may work again. But for more severe corruption or completely deleted files, third party software will be more effective.
Format the SD Card
If your SD card is severely corrupted with errors or malware, formatting (or re-formatting) the card may be necessary as a last resort before video recovery software. This erases all data but can fix major file system problems so recovery tools can work better after.
Warning: Formatting permanently deletes all files on the card, so only do this if recovery software cannot access the videos at all. And once formatted, do not save any new files onto the card before recovering data, as they may overwrite your corrupted videos.
To properly format an SD card:
- Backup any important files and folders from the SD card before formatting, if possible.
- Insert the card into your computer.
- Open Windows File Explorer, right click on the SD card, and select “Format…”
- Choose exFAT or FAT32 file system.
- Check the Quick Format box to format quickly.
- Click Start to begin formatting the card.
After reformatting, attempt to recover the video files again using data recovery software. The restored file system structure may allow more videos to be found and recovered.
Best practices for preventing SD card video corruption
Following some basic best practices can help avoid SD card corruption and video file loss in the future:
- Safely eject the card – Always properly eject the SD card before removing it from cameras and devices.
- High quality SD cards – Invest in name brand, high-endurance cards rated for HD video recording.
- Regularly backup videos – Backup completed videos from the SD card to another storage device.
- Avoid excessive heat – Keep SD cards away from heat and direct sunlight to prevent damage.
- Watch the storage limit – Don’t exceed the total capacity when shooting videos.
- Check for errors – Occasionally scan SD cards for errors using CHKDSK or error checking software.
- Handle with care – Be careful not to bend, drop, or otherwise damage SD cards.
FAQs about recovering corrupted video files
Why did my videos on the SD card become corrupted?
SD card video corruption is usually caused by improper ejection before removing the card, file system errors, exceeded storage capacity, malware, or physical damage to the card from impact or bending. Using low quality, unreliable SD cards also increases corruption risk.
Can I recover videos after deleting them from the SD card?
Yes, recovery software can restore deleted videos as long as new data hasn’t overwritten them. Video files marked as deleted on an SD card can still be retrieved by data recovery tools before those areas are reused.
Is it safe to keep using a corrupted SD card after video recovery?
No, it’s best to retire SD cards that have shown signs of corruption issues. Even after recovering videos, underlying integrity issues in the card may remain and lead to further data loss if it continues to be used.
Can I recover corrupted videos without software?
You may be able to salvage some corrupted video files using CHKDSK or reformatting on Windows. But for most scenarios involving severe file corruption or deletion, third party recovery software offers vastly improved chances of getting your videos back intact.
How can I avoid SD card corruption when recording video?
Only use name brand, high-speed SD cards rated for HD video recording. Safely eject cards before removal, limit recordings to the card’s storage capacity, keep cards away from heat/moisture, regularly transfer videos to a PC, and avoid dropping or bending cards.
What is the success rate for SD card video recovery?
If video corruption is minor, there is up to a 90% chance of complete recovery. With major corruption, data recovery software can retrieve around 75% of video files on average. Severely damaged cards may yield a 30-50% recovery rate. Quick action before data is overwritten raises the odds.
Can recovered SD card videos be lower quality than the originals?
Yes, some degree of quality loss is possible when restoring severely corrupted video files. Recovery software salvages what intact data it can find, but portions may be missing. Completely unrecoverable videos may get fragmented over the remaining restored files as well.
Is there free SD card video recovery software?
Some free software like Recuva and TestDisk can recover videos, but capabilities are limited. Paid recovery software like Disk Drill and Stellar Phoenix offer far more advanced reconstruction of corrupted video files. For best results, use premium software.
Can I recover RAW video files from my SD card?
Specialized recovery software is often capable of restoring even RAW camera video files that became corrupted. The same process applies – scan the card, extract recoverable video segments, and reconstruct playable file formats. Expect some data loss for severely corrupted RAW footage.
Conclusion
Recovering lost or corrupted videos from an SD card is often possible with the right tools and techniques. While preventing corruption in the first place via best practices is ideal, data recovery software can help restore your priceless memories even after disaster strikes. Just make sure not to overwrite your deleted videos prior to recovery. With an understanding of the recovery process and a quality video recovery tool, you stand an excellent chance of rescuing irreplaceable video content from even severely damaged SD cards in most cases.