Having a corrupted SD card can be frustrating, as it stops you from accessing the photos, videos, music and other files stored on it. However, there are several steps you can take to try and recover your data or fix the corrupted card. This article will provide solutions on what you can do when your SD card is corrupted on your phone.
Symptoms of a Corrupted SD Card
There are several signs that indicate your SD card may be corrupted:
- Your phone cannot read the SD card or access files on it
- Error messages pop up when trying to open the SD card
- The files on the SD card appear corrupted or scrambled
- The phone freezes or crashes when the corrupted SD card is inserted
- The SD card is recognized, but some or all files are missing
If you notice any of these issues, it likely means the file system on the SD card has become corrupted or damaged in some way.
Potential Causes of a Corrupted SD Card
There are a few common reasons an SD card may become corrupted:
- Improperly ejecting the SD card from your phone before removing it
- A sudden loss of power to your phone while writing data to the card
- Physically damaging the SD card or exposing it to moisture
- Removal of the SD card while files are still being written to it
- A defective or fake SD card
- Malware or viruses infecting the SD card
To avoid corruption, it’s important to properly eject the SD card before removal and be gentle when handling it.
Steps to Try and Fix a Corrupted SD Card
If your SD card becomes corrupted, there are some steps you can take to try and fix it:
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Restart your phone – Simply powering your phone off and back on again can sometimes resolve issues with detecting the SD card.
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Check the SD card’s physical condition – Look for any signs of damage or moisture exposure. If the card is physically damaged, you may need a professional data recovery service.
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Reinsert the SD card – Remove and reinsert the SD card to ensure it’s making proper contact in the phone.
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Try another device – Try the SD card in another phone or computer. If it’s readable there, the issue is with your phone.
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Format the SD card – Format the card using your phone’s settings. This will wipe the data but may fix software corruption.
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Run antivirus software – Scan the SD card with antivirus software to check for malware causing corruption issues.
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Use disk checking tools – Utilities like Windows’ CHKDSK can scan an SD card for errors and attempt repairs.
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Restore from a backup – If backups exist, restore your SD card data from a cloud service or computer.
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Initiate garbage collection – This feature cleans up any corrupted data fragments on the card.
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Low-level format the card – This completely erases and reformats the SD card to fix file system issues.
Trying these solutions sequentially can often resolve a corrupted SD card. Just take care when formatting, as it will erase your data if not backed up.
Best Practices to Avoid Corrupted SD Cards
You can avoid many SD card corruption issues by following these best practices:
- Safely eject the SD card before removing it from your phone
- Be gentle when handling the SD card to prevent physical damage
- Don’t remove the card when actively transferring files
- Store SD cards properly in a cool, dry place when not in use
- Regularly back up important files from the SD card to another location
- Avoid using fake or extremely low-cost SD cards from unreliable brands
- Check that your phone OS and apps are up-to-date
- Only use reputable tools to format or partition your SD card
Following these precautions will help prevent file system corruption or data loss when using SD cards with your mobile device.
When to Perform Professional Data Recovery
If you’ve exhausted all the DIY troubleshooting steps but your SD card is still not working, it may be time to talk to a professional:
- If your SD card has visible physical damage
- After repeatedly unsuccessful attempts to format or repair the card
- If important photos or other irreplaceable files are stored on the corrupted card
- When disk checking tools cannot access or repair the card
- If you need to recover data after accidentally formatting the card
Professional data recovery services use specialized tools and clean room facilities to repair damaged storage media and extract data. This gives you the best chance of recovering your files from even severely corrupted cards.
Options for Professional Data Recovery
Here are some professional recovery options to consider if DIY fixes don’t work:
- Local data recovery service – There may be specialized data recovery firms near you to fix physical issues and recover files from the card. This allows you to deliver the media directly to their clean room.
- Mail-in data recovery service – Reputable companies like DriveSavers and Gillware allow you to ship your SD card to their facilities for analysis and data recovery.
- Mobile phone repair shops – Some cell phone repair stores offer SD card data recovery services in addition to device repairs.
- Recovery software companies – Firms like Stellar Data Recovery sell SD card data recovery software you can try yourself before considering their professional recovery services.
Research companies thoroughly, read reviews, check certifications, and compare prices before selecting a professional recovery service if needed. But don’t wait too long, as the chances of successful data recovery decrease over time.
Preventing SD Card Corruption
While even responsible SD card use can sometimes result in corruption, following best practices can reduce the chances of problems:
- Use trusted, high-quality SD cards from reputable brands
- Handle cards gently and store them properly in protective cases
- Safely eject the card before removing it from devices
- Avoid removing the card when actively transferring data
- Only edit or format the card when absolutely necessary
- Have your phone routinely check the card’s file system
- Frequently back up important SD card data to another location
Staying on top of backups is key, as it provides a copy of your data if the SD card becomes corrupted. You can back up data to a computer, cloud storage service, external hard drive, or a second SD card rotated out for safekeeping.
Replacing a Corrupted SD Card
If you’ve tried every SD card recovery method to no avail, purchasing a replacement may be your last resort. When buying a new card, consider:
- Storage capacity needed
- Speed rating (i.e. Class 10 for good performance)
- A reputable brand known for quality
- Matching the appropriate SD card type for your phone
- Physical durability of the card
- Value for the price
High-end phones may require higher-capacity SD cards up to 512GB or 1TB. Also, some phones use microSD cards while others take full-size SD cards. Check your phone’s manual for SD card compatibility.
While no SD card is immune from corruption, purchasing a quality product from a leading brand gives you your best chance at avoiding issues. Brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Sony have proven reliable and consistent performance.
Transferring Data to a New SD Card
When installing a new SD card, you’ll need to transfer your apps, photos, videos, music, and other files in order to restore the functionality you had before. Options to transfer data include:
- Copying files from an SD card backup on your computer
- Using phone transfer software that clones your old card
- Downloading files from cloud storage that were backed up online
- Reinstalling apps from the Play Store and accessing associated cloud data
- Transferring files from the old SD card if it’s still partly readable
Take time to get your new SD card set up properly to avoid issues going forward. Then implement ongoing backups so you never get stuck without access to your important data.
When to Replace an SD Card
While SD cards can often be revived, there comes a point when replacement is the wisest option. Consider getting a new SD card if:
- Your card is several years old
- You are constantly dealing with corrupted files or crashes
- Performance has slowed way down over time
- The physical card has damage or defects
- Data cannot be recovered from the card
- A new device requires a higher capacity card
As a rule of thumb, plan on replacing consumer SD cards every 2-3 years with average use. Heavy use may require more frequent replacement. Go with a new card from a leading brand when buying a replacement.
Conclusion
Dealing with a corrupted SD card can certainly be a headache. But in many cases, you can recover your data and get the card functioning again. Try troubleshooting steps like reinserting the card, formatting it, or using disk checking tools. Also be sure to physically inspect the card. If DIY fixes don’t work, professional data recovery services may be able to repair and recover your files when all else fails. And you can avoid many issues by handling your card properly, implementing backups, and replacing worn cards when appropriate. Stay calm, be diligent, and take the right steps, and you can likely get your corrupted SD card working again.