Formatting a corrupted micro SD card is often necessary to fix issues and make the card usable again. The formatting process erases all data on the card, so it’s important to try recovering any needed files first. There are a few different ways to format an SD card, depending on your computer and needs.
How to Know if a Micro SD Card is Corrupted
There are several signs that indicate your micro SD card is corrupted:
- Your phone or computer fails to detect the card
- You get error messages when trying to access files on the card
- Files on the card appear missing or can’t be opened
- The card’s storage capacity seems reduced
- You experience frequent crashes or freezes when the card is inserted
- The card’s transfer speeds are much slower than usual
If you notice any of these issues, it’s likely the file system or data itself has become corrupted and formatting is needed.
Try Recovering Data First
Before formatting a corrupted card, attempt to recover any files you need from it using data recovery software. Programs like Recuva or Disk Drill can restore deleted files from SD cards in many cases. This gives you a chance to save your photos, documents, or other data prior to erasing the card.
Formatting Options for SD Cards
There are a few different formatting options available to fix corruption on SD cards:
- Full Format – Does a complete overwrite of the card, erasing all data and creating a new empty file system.
- Quick Format – Erases file system but does not overwrite existing data. Faster but less secure.
- FAT32 Format – Formats card to FAT32 file system, widely compatible option.
- exFAT Format – Formats to exFAT instead, ideal for cards 64GB or larger.
Performing a full format is usually the best approach to fix corruption issues. Quick formats take less time but may not fully resolve problems with the card. FAT32 works for any size card while exFAT is optimized for larger capacities.
How to Format SD Card in Windows
Windows contains built-in formatting tools that can erase and reformat a corrupted SD card.
Using Disk Management:
- Insert the SD card into your computer’s card reader
- Open the Disk Management utility (right-click the Start menu and select it)
- Right-click on the SD card and choose “Format…”
- Pick volume label, file system (FAT32 or exFAT), and quick or full format
- Click “OK” to begin formatting
This will completely erase and reformat the card, fixing corruption issues.
Using File Explorer:
- Insert the SD card and open File Explorer
- Right click on the SD card and select “Format…”
- Choose FAT32 or exFAT file system
- Check “Quick Format” or leave unchecked for full format
- Click “Start” to begin formatting
Using File Explorer provides a quicker way to reformat the card.
How to Format on Mac
MacOS also includes built-in SD card formatting utilities:
Using Disk Utility:
- Insert the SD card into your Mac
- Open Disk Utility (located in Applications > Utilities)
- Select the SD card on the left side
- Click “Erase” at the top
- Choose format type (FAT32 or exFAT)
- Click “Erase…” to begin
This will complete a full format of the SD card.
Using Finder:
- Insert the SD card and open Finder
- Select the SD card on the left side under Devices
- Click “Erase” at the top
- Enter a name, choose FAT32 or exFAT format
- Click “Erase” to begin formatting
The Finder method offers a faster way to quickly format the card.
How to Format SD Card on Mobile
You can also reformat a corrupted micro SD card right from your Android phone or tablet:
- Insert the SD card into your device
- Launch the Settings app
- Select “Storage”
- Choose your SD card
- Tap “Format” or “Erase & Format”
- Confirm to erase all data and reformat
This will format the card using the FAT32 file system. Some Android devices also support exFAT formatting.
On iPhone or iPad, you can format SD cards using the Files app:
- Insert the SD card into your iPhone/iPad
- Open the Files app and select Browse
- Tap on the SD card name
- Tap the three dots in the upper right corner
- Select “Format as exFAT”
- Tap to confirm and erase
This will quickly reformat the SD card using the exFAT file system.
Using SD Card Formatting Software
Specialized formatting tools for SD cards are also available to download for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. These give you additional options for how to format your card:
- SD Formatter – Free utility from the SD Association that fully formats cards.
- Ridisk – Erases SD cards and provides tuning options for optimal performance.
- SD Memory Card Formatter – Basic Windows formatting app optimized for SD cards.
- Rearrange, Inc. – Mac app that quickly erases cards and recovers storage space.
These tools can provide a thorough formatting to fix severe corruption issues with SD cards.
Formatting Tips
Keep these tips in mind when formatting a corrupted micro SD card:
- Always try to recover needed files from the card first before formatting.
- Perform a full format instead of quick format for best results.
- FAT32 is recommended for cards 64GB or smaller, use exFAT for larger cards.
- Reformatting very old or worn out cards may not resolve all issues.
- Consider getting a new card if corruption persists after multiple formatting attempts.
Properly formatting your SD card using the steps outlined above should allow you to fix corruption problems and continue storing data.
Common Causes of SD Card Corruption
There are a number of reasons an SD card may become corrupted:
- Improperly ejecting the card from your computer or mobile device
- Power loss or unexpected device shutdown while the card is in use
- Malware, viruses, or system errors affecting the SD card
- Saving too many files at once or overfilling the storage capacity
- Low-quality or counterfeit cards more prone to issues
- Old age causing sectors of the card to fail
- Physical damage from drops, heat, water, or other impacts
SD cards use flash memory, which has a limited lifespan. Eventually even a properly functioning card may start to exhibit corruption as memory cells wear out.
How to Avoid Corruption on SD Cards
You can help prevent future corruption on your SD cards by:
- Safely ejecting cards before removal and using “safely remove” features
- Not overfilling cards beyond their storage capacity
- Handling cards carefully and keeping away from liquids/impacts
- Regularly backing up files stored on cards as redundancy
- Replacing very old or frequently used cards
- Using reputable high-endurance cards from reliable brands
- Keeping devices containing cards free of malware
While occasional issues may still occur, taking these precautions can help extend the life of your SD cards and minimize corruption problems.
Recovering Data from a Corrupted Card
If you need to recover files from a corrupted SD card before formatting, these options may help:
- Data Recovery Software – Programs like Recuva, Disk Drill, and Stellar Data Recovery can restore deleted files from SD cards in many cases.
- Professional Data Recovery Service – For mechanical failures or severe corruption, a professional service can disassemble the card and attempt recovery in a specialized cleanroom lab environment.
- Backup Copy of SD Card – If you have a full disk image backup of the SD card from before corruption occurred, you may be able to restore missing files from the backup.
The chances of recovery depend on the extent of the corruption. But it’s often worth trying recovery software before reformatting, just in case important files can be salvaged.
When to Replace an SD Card
Reformatting a corrupted SD card using the steps outlined above should resolve many issues. But sometimes corruption problems persist even after multiple formatting attempts. Or older cards may start to exhibit corruption regularly. In these cases, replacing the SD card is recommended.
Consider getting a new SD card if:
- Errors and corruption problems continue after formatting
- The card is 5+ years old
- You notice decreased performance and slow transfer speeds
- The card’s storage capacity appears reduced
- You frequently receive read/write errors or crashes with the card inserted
- The card has been subjected to rough physical treatment
Purchasing a new micro SD card from a reputable brand is advised if your card shows signs of wearing out or persists in malfunctioning. It’s inexpensive insurance to protect your data and avoid continued issues.
Choosing a Replacement SD Card
Here are tips for selecting a new SD card to replace a failing or corrupted one:
- Choose well-known brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston for reliability
- Select a card with higher endurance ratings if available
- Pick a larger capacity than your current card to allow room for future growth
- Match SD card speed class rating to your device requirements
- Consider new UHS-II cards for 4K video recording or fast burst photo capture
- Avoid the cheapest generic cards that may use inferior memory
Higher-end SD cards are more expensive but worth it for reduced corruption risk and better overall performance. Make sure your replacement card meets the technical requirements of your smartphone, camera, or other device.
Conclusion
Properly formatting a corrupted micro SD card using the full format option in Windows, MacOS or mobile settings can often fix issues and make the card usable again. Recover any needed data off the card first before erasing it during formatting. If problems persist even after multiple formatting attempts, replacing the aging or damaged SD card is recommended. Using high-quality cards from reliable brands and handling them with care can help minimize corruption likelihood going forward.