This article shows you how to recover data (photos, videos, audios, etc.) stored on a malfunctioning or corrupt SD card. Furthermore, it is explained how to format this type of memory media in order to continue using them when the problem is not hardware, but limited to the data present and therefore completely solvable.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recover Data from an SD Card
Step 1. If you have not already done so, immediately stop any use of the storage media
If your digital camera displays an error message such as "Read Error", "Memory Card Failed" or something similar, the best thing to do is turn off the device immediately and remove the card from its slot. Continuing to use the memory medium, after it has presented an evident malfunction, greatly reduces the chances of being able to restore valid data still present in it.
Step 2. Locate a digital data recovery software
Even if the SD card in question is permanently unusable, there is still the possibility of recovering the data present inside it. Here is a short list of the free programs most used by users to recover corrupted data from storage media:
- Recuva. After selecting the storage medium to be scanned (in this case an SD card) and choosing the "Images" option, the program will perform all the scanning and data analysis work in the background. This is the recommended choice in most cases.
- CardRecovery. After a quick tutorial, which is used to configure the program and show the user the main functions, CardRecovery will scan any SD card installed in your computer. This program is distributed free of charge in the form of a "demo" version; once the trial period has expired, you will then need to purchase the full version to continue using it.
- Photo Rec. This software has a minimal user interface and requires basic knowledge of how to use a command line console (eg the Windows "Command Prompt"). For these reasons it is not the best choice for less experienced users.
Step 3. Download and install the data recovery program of your choice
Normally, this step involves accessing the web page of the chosen program, pressing the button "Download", wait for the installation file to be downloaded to your computer and then double-click it to select it.
The precise location of the button to download the installation file varies from website to website. If you are having difficulty locating it, try looking at the top or left side of the main page of its website
Step 4. Insert the SD card into the appropriate slot on the computer
Most desktop computers running Windows are equipped with a memory card reader. This device is normally characterized by the designation "SD" and appears as a thin rectangular slot. In the case of a laptop, it is placed along one side, while in the case of a desktop system, it is often placed on the front of the case.
- If the computer you're using (both Windows and macOS) doesn't have a built-in SD card reader, you can buy a USB one for less than € 10.
- Before you can access the data on the SD card, you may need to authorize its use by the operating system.
Step 5. Launch the data recovery program of your choice
You should be able to use it simply by accessing the folder where you have chosen to install it.
Step 6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen
Generally, before scanning the contents of the card, you will be asked to select the corresponding drive and the type of data to search by choosing the appropriate option (for example "Images", "Videos", etc.).
After the scan is complete, most programs will provide you with a list of valid files found and the option to restore or save them to a folder of your choice (e.g. your desktop)
Part 2 of 3: Repair Corrupt SD Card on Windows Systems
Step 1. Install the SD card into the SD card slot on your computer
This is typically a thin rectangular slot labeled "SD". In the case of a laptop, the housing is positioned along one side, while in the case of a desktop system, it is often located on the front of the case.
- If the computer you're using doesn't have a built-in SD card reader, you can buy a USB one for less than $ 10.
- Before you can access the data on the SD card, you may need to authorize its use by the operating system.
Step 2. Access the ⇱ Home menu
It features the classic Windows logo and is placed in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 3. Type the keyword "Computer" into the search bar
Although the application associated with this term is named "This PC" on systems running Windows 8 and Windows 10, performing this search will redirect you to exactly the corresponding entry on your computer.
Step 4. Press the Enter key on your keyboard
This will bring up the "This PC" window.
Step 5. Review the "Devices and Drives" section
It is usually located in the lower half of the main pane of the "This PC" window. Within this section, you should find your computer's primary hard drive, labeled "[drive_name] (C:)", along with all other storage media currently installed or connected to the system, including the SD card of course.
If you can't find which memory drive is associated with your SD card, try removing it from its slot (leaving the "This PC" window visible), then note which icon disappears. At this point, you've found out which system logical drive is associated with your SD card, so insert it back into its slot before continuing
Step 6. Make a note of the drive letter associated with your SD card
Normally the main hard drive of the computer (the one on which the operating system is installed) is identified by the letter "C:", so the SD card should have a different letter (for example "F:" or "G:").
Step 7. Press the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + X
This will bring up the context menu of the "Start" button. The latter is located in the lower left corner of the desktop of any Windows computer.
You can access the same menu by selecting the button "Start" with the right mouse button.
Step 8. Choose the Command Prompt (Admin) option
This will bring up a Windows "Command Prompt" window with which you can proceed to format the malfunctioning SD card.
If you are logged into your computer with an account that does not have system administrator rights, you will not be able to take advantage of this method to format your SD card
Step 9. Type the command chkdsk [drive_ letter] / r in the "Command Prompt" window
Remember that you will need to replace the parameter [drive_ letter] with the letter of the logical drive associated with your SD card (for example "e:"). The "chkdsk" program will analyze the indicated memory medium for errors and, if necessary, will automatically format the relative sectors to solve the problem.
Note that there is only one space between the "[drive_ letter]" and "/ r" parameters
Step 10. Press the Enter key on your keyboard
This will start scanning the indicated storage medium. The program will automatically fix any type of problem that falls within its scope.
- If the "Command Prompt" asks for your permission to proceed, simply press the "Enter" key to proceed.
- After pressing the "Enter" key, you may receive the error message "Cannot open volume for direct access". Normally this error occurs when the indicated memory medium does not need to be formatted (for example it is not damaged) or when the problem is at the hardware level and therefore not manageable by the program.
- In some cases, the error message "Cannot open volume for direct access" is caused by the antivirus program preventing the indicated media from formatting. If this is the case for you, try temporarily disabling the antivirus program before running the format command to check if the problem persists.
Step 11. Remove the SD card from its slot
After the formatting process is complete, remove the memory card from its slot using the Windows "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" procedure, then reinstall it in the original device.
Part 3 of 3: Repair a Corrupt SD Card on macOS Systems
Step 1. Connect the SD card to your Mac
You may need to purchase a USB SD card reader, as not all Apple computers are equipped with this device.
- If your Mac has a built-in SD card reader, you should find it along the sides of the case (in the case of a laptop) or in the back of the case or monitor (in the case of a desktop). On some desktop models of Mac, the SD card reader is located on one side of the keyboard.
- Some USB devices require to be enabled (via their configuration settings) before they can be detected by the operating system.
Step 2. Open a Finder window
This is the blue icon characterized by a stylized face, placed on the Dock of your Mac.
Step 3. Enter the Go menu
It is located on the menu bar located at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Choose the Utility item
This will take you directly to the "Utilities" folder from which you can run the "Disk Utility" program.
Alternatively, you can start the "Disk Utility" program by pressing the key combination ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Command + U
Step 5. Double click on the Disk Utility icon
It is characterized by a small gray hard drive associated with a stethoscope.
Step 6. Select the SD card to scan
You should find it listed within the "External" section located on the left side of the "Disk Utility" window.
If the SD card does not appear in this section of the program, try removing it from its slot and reinserting it
Step 7. Access the S. O. S
. You need to select the stethoscope icon at the top of the "Disk Utility" window.
Step 8. Press the Run button
If the "Disk Utility" program informs you that the examined disk or volume is about to corrupt, you will not be able to fix the problem and you will have to opt for the purchase of a new SD card.
Step 9. Wait for the memory card to be checked and repaired
Once the process is complete, you will be able to remove the card from the Mac and install it on the device that will use it (digital camera, smartphone, etc.).
At this stage, the error message "The underlying task reported failure" may appear. In this case, just restart your Mac and run the repair process again
Advice
- When working with SD cards it is possible not to run into problems of this type by avoiding removing the media from its slot during the data transfer phase, not using the SD card if the battery of the device in which it is installed is low and, if possible, by turning it off before removing it from its housing.
- Like all electronic devices, memory cards do not have an infinite life span. This type of storage media generally have a life cycle ranging from 10,000 to 10,000,000 write / erase operations. For this reason it is advisable to always have at hand an updated backup of the data present on the SD memory support in use and to replace the latter after a few years of honorable service (depending on the intensity of use).
- Nowadays, an 8GB SD card is priced under € 10.
