SD cards are used for storing photos, videos, documents and other files on devices like digital cameras, phones, and computers. Unfortunately, SD cards can sometimes become corrupted or damaged, making it impossible to access the files stored on them. When this happens, it can lead to frustration and potential loss of important data. The good news is that there are some things you can try to fix corrupted SD cards and recover your files.
What Causes an SD Card to Become Corrupted?
There are several potential causes of SD card corruption:
- Improperly removing the card – If the card is removed from a device while files are still being written, it can cause corruption.
- Physical damage – Dropping or bending the card can physically damage it and lead to corruption.
- Malware infection – Viruses or malware on the device can infect and corrupt files on the SD card.
- Power loss – An unexpected power loss while using the card can cause corruption.
- File system errors – Errors in the file system from formatting or defects can cause corruption.
SD card corruption happens most often due to improper removal while the card is still being written to. Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option on your computer before taking out an SD card.
How to Fix a Corrupted SD Card
If your SD card becomes corrupted or stops working, there are several things you can try to fix it:
1. Try the SD Card on Another Device
First, try inserting the corrupted card into a different device like a phone, computer, or camera. In some cases, that device may be able to read the card even if your original device could not. The card may work just fine on a different device.
2. Reformat the SD Card
Reformatting or reinitializing the SD card will wipe all data but can fix software corruption issues. On Windows, you can use the built-in SD card formatter tool. On Mac, open Disk Utility and reformat the card. Be sure to back up any files you need from the card first!
3. Run CHKDSK (Check Disk)
On Windows, running the Check Disk utility (chkdsk command) can scan for and fix drive errors. To run it, open the Command Prompt as administrator and enter “chkdsk x: /f” where x is the drive letter for your SD card. Allow it to scan and repair any errors found.
4. Try Data Recovery Software
If the SD card is readable but files are corrupted or missing, try using data recovery software. Programs like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery, or Stellar Phoenix can scan the card and recover lost files. This works if the file data itself is still intact but the file system is corrupted.
5. Low-Level Format the Card
A low-level format (not a quick format) will completely overwrite and reset the SD card. This can fix physical and file system errors. Be sure to backup files first as this will erase everything. You can use SD Card Formatter tool for this on Windows or Disk Utility on Mac.
Best Practices to Avoid Corrupted SD Cards
Following some best practices can help avoid SD card corruption in the future:
- Safely eject the card – Always eject the card properly before removal.
- Don’t overfill the card – Leave some free space and don’t overfill.
- Handle carefully – Avoid physical damage by handling gently.
- Check for errors – Periodically scan cards for errors using chkdsk.
- Use high quality cards – Buy name brand cards for better reliability.
- Make regular backups – Backup your files often in case a card becomes corrupted.
When to Consider Professional Data Recovery
If you’ve tried the above steps without success, a professional data recovery service may be able to repair and recover files from the SD card. They have specialized tools and clean room facilities to physically repair damaged cards and recover data. This is a paid service but can be worthwhile for irreplaceable files.
Can an SD Card Be Fixed if Physically Damaged?
It becomes very difficult to fix an SD card that has physical damage beyond minor scratches. Damaged cards may display symptoms like:
- Visible cracks, chips or snaps in the card casing
- Corrosion from water damage
- Bent or warped shape
- Error messages about hardware issues
In cases of physical damage, professional data recovery is the best chance for salvaging files. They can try techniques like:
- Bypassing damaged components on the circuit board
- Imaging viable NAND flash memory chips
- Transplanting memory chips to a new circuit board
- Low level “chip-off” forensic recovery
Severely damaged cards may still be unrecoverable, even by pros. But reputable data recovery firms like DriveSavers may be able to recover some data depending on the damage.
Can You Fix an SD Card Not Detected by Any Device?
If no device detects the SD card when plugged in, it likely has experienced a critical hardware failure or corruption. Things to try include:
- Trying different SD slots/readers – The reader itself may be faulty.
- Checking for physical damage – Look for any visible signs of damage.
- Reseating the card – Remove and reinsert the card securely.
- Low level format – This can reset faulty cards in some cases.
If the card still fails to be detected, the control circuitry or interface connectors have likely failed permanently. At this point, professional recovery services represent the only chance to salvage data. They can replace damaged components and rebuild the card’s functionality.
Can You Recover Photos from a Corrupted SD Card?
Recovering photos from a corrupted SD card is often possible, depending on the cause and severity of corruption. Here are some options:
- Try a different device – Photos may be retrievable on a different camera or computer.
- Use recovery software – Scan the card to find recoverable image files.
- Send to a pro – They can repair physical issues and extract images.
- Extract the memory – A technician can remove memory chips and read their contents.
If the photos were overwritten or the physical memory damaged, however, recovery may be impossible. But in many corruption cases involving the file system or logical errors, the photo contents can be successfully recovered.
Tips for Successful Photo Recovery
- Stop using the card right away – Further usage can overwrite photo data.
- Try different recovery software – Compare results from a few programs.
- Don’t save recovered files to the card – Save them to another location.
- Look for partial photos – Corruption may cut off sections of an image.
Can You Recover Files after Formatting an SD Card?
When an SD card is reformatted, the file system is erased but the actual file contents are not wiped immediately. This means recovery is possible:
- Recovery software can restore recently deleted files.
- Files exist intact until overwritten by new data.
- SD cards have spare area that keeps old versions of files.
- Forensics can scan the raw NAND memory chips.
So formatting does not destroy files right away. However, the longer you continue using the card after formatting, the lower your chances of recovery become. As new data overwrites the space containing old files, they will be lost permanently.
Maximizing Chances of File Recovery
To recover files after accidentally formatting your card, your best bet is to:
- Immediately stop using the card.
- Use cardio recovery software to extract files.
- Send to a pro if software can’t recover them.
- Avoid saving anything new to the card.
The key is acting fast before anything has a chance to overwrite your deleted files. Avoid using the card at all until recovered, for best results.
Can a Corrupted SD Card Damage Your Device?
In most cases, a corrupted SD card is unlikely to cause any harm to the host device such as a camera, phone, or computer. Here are some examples:
- Logical errors – These affect only stored files, not hardware.
- Physical defects – These are confined to the card itself.
- Accidental deletion – No damage to the storage medium.
- Malware – Can infect files but not damage hardware.
However, in rare cases, it is possible for a severely corrupted SD card to damage a device. Examples include:
- Short circuits – From physical damage to the pins or components.
- Voltage spikes – Faulty cards may output voltage spikes.
- Firmware hacking – Maliciously designed to reprogram firmware.
To avoid issues, use only reputable branded SD cards and discard any that become physically damaged. Most corruption poses no risk, but err on the side of caution in case of malfunction.
Can You Fix an SD Card with a Virus?
Viruses and other malware like worms and trojans can infect the files stored on an SD card and make it appear corrupted. The infection can often be cleaned to fix the card and recover data:
- Scan with antivirus software – This can detect and remove infections.
- Reformat the card – This wipes out malware but also all files.
- Try recovery software – To extract files after reformatting.
- Destroy infected cards – If malware persists, discard the card.
In most cases, an SD card infected with a virus or other malware can be repaired with reformatting and rewriting files from a clean backup. The physical card is still functional after removing the malicious code.
Can You Use a Corrupted SD Card in a Phone or Camera?
It’s not recommended to continue using an SD card that has become corrupted in your phone, camera, or other device. Here’s why:
- It may further corrupt or spread errors to other files.
- The device may repeatedly try and fail to read it.
- Any new files will likely also become corrupted.
- If errors spread, it could impact the device.
Ideally, you should stop using a corrupted card immediately and try to recover the files. Continuing to use it, while possibly still working in some cases, risks compounding the errors. It’s better to play it safe and stop using the card.
When Can You Keep Using a Corrupted Card?
There are a few scenarios where you may be able to keep using a corrupted SD card temporarily:
- If errors are confined to certain files only.
- When only unused sections are marked bad.
- If the device has no issues reading other parts.
- As temporary extra storage in a pinch.
This is still risky until you fully verify the extent of corruption. But in certain cases it may work without harming the device, at least for a short period of time before replacement.
Conclusion
SD card corruption can happen unexpectedly but is often repairable. In many cases, you can fix the card and recover data with some basic troubleshooting steps. Preventative measures like safe removal and backups also help avoid problems. In severe cases involving physical damage or failure, professional recovery services may be the only option. But overall, an SD card corrupted by software errors or logical faults can typically be repaired and restored to working order.