How to Repair Corrupted SD Card Without Data Loss. 10 Solutions

SD cards are a helper of storage SD card is an additional storage device used for many digital devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and computer systems. They are also a convenient and beneficial means of saving capacity for data transfer purposes. However, since the SD card is frequently plugged and unplugged, especially without safe ejection, file system corruption or bad sectors are likely to occur on the card.

SD cards are also vulnerable and many external and internal factors can damage them no matter what the reason. The pain doubles if the data present on the SD card belongs to some memorable event. But don't worry if your SD memory card becomes inaccessible or is corrupted and unreadable. Take a look at the symptoms and choose the right solutions for you. Repair Corrupted SD Card Without Data Loss.

Maybe you may be interested: My SD Card Is Not Working. Causes, Solutions and Alternatives

Symptoms of corrupted SD card

Sometimes, the SD card acts abnormally, which indicates that something is bothering it. Several symptoms indicate that the SD card is gradually getting corrupted. Finding out those symptoms can reduce the risk of data loss.

At least you could move important data before it gets lost from a corrupted SD card. The discrepancy signs are actually in your favor, alerting you to extract your data and save it on some other device. Let's look at the most common indications:

• Missing data: The moment you realize that some of your photos, videos, notes, sheets or any other data is missing, it means that your SD card is on the verge of corruption.
• Card not recognized: The instant message that SD card is not recognized means that the SD card is experiencing data corruption.
• Error messages: when you insert and try to access the SD card and it gives you alerts like “Access denied»Or«Card not formatted"It is also a sign that it is corrupt.
• Unknown files: a virus attack that damages your card displays unknown files.
• Cannot read and write: If you're having trouble reading or writing to a card, it may be damaged.
• Device malfunction: A device connected with a damaged SD card may cause the device to malfunction.
• Blank SD card: A corrupted SD card with data may appear empty on your device.

Preliminary Checks to Repair Corrupted SD Card without Data Loss

Try some basic checks that can work before you dive into methods to repair corrupted SD card without losing data. These bits work as first aid for corrupted SD card and make sure that the SD card is actually corrupted:

1. Change the adapter/card reader or USB port

The card reader is also a delicate device. It can be damaged, so it is essential to check if the SD card works in another card reader; also, try another port. USB if the port is not working properly.

2. Try using the card on another device/PC

Try connecting and accessing the SD card with another system to see if the system does not recognize the card or if the card itself becomes corrupted.

3. Is your SD card write protected?

The SD card becomes useless if it is write-protected. You cannot write any new data on the card, delete files or format it under any conditions.

10 Advanced Solutions to Repair Corrupted SD Card without Data Loss

Try the given 10 solutions to fix corrupted SD card. Each of them is provided to fix different errors and corruption of the card.

Solution 1: Find hidden files on a corrupted SD card

Sometimes, this works perfectly to fix and repair the corrupted SD card without losing data, especially if the SD card is not showing anything even though you have data stored on it. Here are the steps you need to follow in this case:

• Step 1: connect the card to your system.
• Step 2: open the File Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > Tab View.
• Step 3: Check the option «Hidden items«. Check if you can see hidden files now.

Solution 2: Use CHKDSK command to check for error

There is a line utility commands Direct and quick response tool available to repair corrupted SD card without losing data. CHKDSK checks the file system for relevant physical errors. It is incredibly simple to repair and recover files from corrupted SD card with its help. Follow the procedure given below:

• Step 1: writes "cmd»On the taskbar.
• Step 2: Choose Run as administrator.
• Step 3: enter: chkdsk X: /f. Make sure to replace X with the letter assigned to the SD card.
• Step 4: press Enter.
• Step 5: Let the CHKDSK command finish. It takes time according to the volume of data your SD card contains.

Solution 3: Assign a new drive letter

If the card cannot be read, you can assign a new drive letter to resolve this issue. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Step 1: go to Disk management from the menu list.
• Step 2: Find the SD card in Disk management.
• Step 3: Right click on it and select the option “Change drive letter and paths", which is the context menu.
• Step 4: click Change in the pop-up menu.
• Step 5: Select a drive letter from the drop-down list and click Accept.

Solution 4: Reinstall the SD card driver

Reinstalling the driver for the card reader is another solution and might work to fix the corrupted SD card.

• Step 1: go to Device administrator in the window "Team management«.
• Step 2: opens «Memory technology devices«.
• Step 3: locate the card reader.
• Step 4: indicates the brand and model of the card reader.
• Step 5: select the option «Uninstall device«.
• Step 6: uninstall by selecting the option «Remove the driver software for this device«.
• Step 7: restart your computer.
• Step 8: Download the latest driver from the card reader website and install it.

Solution 5: Use Windows Troubleshooter to fix SD card errors

The troubleshooter can easily find and fix errors related to the hardware. Follow the procedure:

• Step 1: connect the SD card to your system.
• Step 2: go to Solve problems in the tab update and security in the configuration of Windows.
• Step 3: click on «Run the troubleshooter«.

Solution 6: Use the manufacturer's repair solution

Reputable SD card manufacturers provide services to help users repair SD card corruption. It can be your last resort for recover data from damaged sd cardSeeking help from a manufacturer can be time-consuming and expensive, but it is worth it if the data is valuable.

Fix 7: Use the drive's "Error Checking" feature

Another way to recover data from a corrupted SD card is to run Error Check and repair the corrupted SD card without losing data. Here is what you need to do:

• Step 1: open the Windows Explorer.
• Step 2: go to the SD Card Properties.
• Step 3: click the button Check in the tools tab.

Solution 8: Use Diskpart in CMD command

First determine the disk number assigned to the SD card. Here are the steps required to achieve this:

• Step 1: go to menu Home, right click on Computer and select Disk management.
• Step 2: choose the option Manage.
• Step 3: Choose Disk management.
• Step 4: look for the drive and not the disk number.

For Diskpart in cmd command, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Opens a window of the symbol of the system.
• Step 2: Choose admin from the pop-up menu.
• Step 3: write diskpart and press Enter.
• Step 4: write the disk from the list and press Enter.
• Step 5: select the disk number.
• Step 6: write clean and press Enter.

Maybe you want to read: SD Card Won't Format – Here's How to Fix It

Solution 9: Format the damaged SD card

You can use this format to recover corrupted SD card. It almost fixes every corruption problem.

• Step 1: Connect your SD card to your desktop/laptop.
• Step 2: Double click on My PC/This PC to open the Windows Explorer.
• Step 3: Right click on your SD card in Devices and units and select Format.
• Step 4: press the box File System. Choose one of these: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT that you want to format.
• Step 5: click Home.

Solution 10: Recover data from a corrupted SD card if nothing works

Data recovery software Tenorshare 4DDiG is a remarkable recovery tool to recover almost everything. It comes in handy when nothing works. Here are the main features:

• You can recover more than 1000 types of data with Tenorshare 4DDiG.
• Compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7.
• Recover data from a crashed system.
• It is possible to recover files from multiple devices.

Follow the steps below to recover data from a corrupted SD card:

Step 1: Select the SD card

After installing 4DDiG on your computer, connect the corrupted SD card to the PC and run the program. 4DDiG should detect the affected SD card instantly so you can choose the SD from where you lost your data and click on Start to continue.

Step 2: Scan and preview

4DDiG can quickly scan the selected drive to find and repair corrupted data. If you can't track down the lost data you need, you can click Deep scan, which may be time-consuming. After scanning, you can select files to preview before data recovery.

Step 3: Recover files

4DDiG Recovery software has the ability to view and recover different types of records such as sounds or files, photos, etc. You can press the option Recover to save the information on your hard drive. After clicking Recover, a dialog box will appear on the screen. This box will ask you where you want to restore the documents. Select the area and press the OK option.

Tips to avoid SD card corruption in the future

Follow the simple steps written below to avoid SD card corruption:

• Format the new SD card immediately before use and do so frequently when it is empty.
• Whenever you want to erase your SD card, format it instead of wiping it completely.
• Properly eject the card instead of pulling it out directly.
• Use multiple cards instead of one huge memory card and store them in a safe place.

How do I fix a corrupted SD card on my phone?

The only way to repair a damaged SD card with a phone Android is to format the card. If you have important files stored there, it is best to create a backup of the SD card or recover the files on a different drive, as this action will erase all the data stored there. Here is how to fix a corrupted SD card on a phone:

• Step 1: go to Configuration > battery care and the device > Storage.
• Step 2: Tap the three dots at the top right and then go to Advanced.
• Step 3: Select your SD card and press Format. Uses cloud storage instead of an SD card.

If you've been using an SD card to free up space on your Android smartphone, you may want to consider using a cloud storage solution. Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive can automatically back up photos and videos to an online server when they're created, so you don't have to worry about them taking up storage space on your mobile device.

You can also access all the files uploaded to your cloud account on other devices without having to physically move an SD card or USB drive back and forth. There is also little risk of losing these files due to card corruption or failure.

FAQ about damaged SD card

There are certain questions that may arise when studying how to repair a corrupted SD card without losing data. Below we will answer some of these:

How can I repair my SD card without a computer?

You can do all the above solutions and fixes on an Android smartphone and tablet without using a Mac or a Windows PC. The Android operating system has many file and storage tools that allow you to access the contents of an SD card and format it if necessary.

Can I recover data from a damaged memory card without formatting it?

The best way to recover data from an SD card is to run a reliable recovery tool like Tenorshare 4DDiG. It's simple, fast, and free to try.

What is the difference between a corrupted SD card and a damaged SD card?

You can't really know until you know that the card has been physically damaged. Any SD card that is unrecognizable or non-functional is considered corrupted or damaged.

Is there any risk in running chkdsk on an SD card?

Running chkdsk involves the potential risk of data loss. You'd better use a professional data recovery tool before running chkdsk on an SD card.

How do I move apps to an SD card on Android?

To move apps to an SD card on Android, go to Configuration > Applications, select the application, then tap Storage > Change > SD card. if you don't see Change in list As an option, the application cannot be moved.

How do I set my SD card as default storage on Android?

Everything on the card will be erased, so back up any files you want to keep first. Then, go to Configuration > Storage, select your SD card, then touch the three points and then go to Storage configuration > Format as internal.

How do I recover deleted photos from an SD card on my Android phone?

To recover deleted photos from Android, use a recovery software like DiskDigger or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. You should also check if the images are saved in your photos Google.

How can I uncorrupt an SD card?

If you need to repair a corrupted SD card without formatting it, you should try running CHKDKS. This should remove bad sectors and fix physical errors. Here's how to uncorrupt an SD card using the command prompt:

• Step 1: connect the SD card to your computer.
• Step 2: write cmd in the search bar Windows and click Symbol of the system. If prompted, click Run as administrator.
• Step 3: write chkdsk F: /f /r /x (replaces F with the drive letter of the SD card) and press Enter on your keyboard.
• Step 4: Once the process is complete, write exit.

What does it mean when the SD card is corrupted?

When an SD card is damaged, it means that has software problems or a physical problem which prevents you from performing a requested process. Usually, corruption is the main reason for data loss. If your SD card is experiencing one of these issues, there is a chance that it is corrupted:

• It does not open image or video files stored there.
• It shows empty, or you have noticed that files are missing.
• It is not being detected by either your computer or your camera.
• SD card becomes RAW.
• When trying to transfer data, a pop-up window appears stating that there is a read/write problem.
• It takes forever to transfer photo/video files.
• A format error appears when you connect the SD card to your computer.

How do I fix a damaged SanDisk SD card?

The easiest and most effective way to repair a damaged SanDisk SD card is to use an SD card repair tool like Disk Drill. Even if your SD card is failing and your computer no longer detects it, this software should be able to recover all files from it. Follow these steps to recover data from a damaged SanDisk SD card:

• Step 1: download Disk Drill and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
• Step 2: Connect the SanDisk SD card to your computer.
• Step 3: start Disk Drill and choose your SD card from the list of connected devices.
• Step 4: click the button Find lost data.
• Step 5: preview the found files and select the ones you want to recover.
• Step 6: click Recover and choose the location where you want to save the files.

Can you recover photos from a damaged SD card?

It depends on the status of your SD card., but in general, yes, you can recover photos from a corrupted SD card. If you have software problems, all you need to recover photos is a reliable and efficient data recovery tool and a computer. However, If your SD card has any physical damage, you should try to send it to a specialized data recovery service (CleverFiles Data Recovery Center, for example).

Take a look at: SD Card Reader Not Working on Windows 10

Final thoughts

There you have it, you now know how to repair corrupted SD card without losing data, when it is possible. There are also other procedures that unfortunately erase all content (when nothing works). Recovering data from an SD card is challenging due to its vulnerability and small size.

If you have important data on your SD card, it is recommended to use a recovery tool to save it. The best recovery tool that is adept at recovering any data effortlessly is Tenorshare 4DDiG. However, you can use other solutions discussed in this article if you are not afraid of losing what is inside the card.