[9 Methods] Fix Corrupted, Damaged or Inaccessible SD Card Without Formatting

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SD cards are widely used in smartphones, cameras, and other electronic devices to store important files, photos, and videos. Unfortunately, it is very awful when you have to face a corrupted card. The common solution suggested is to format the SD card, but formatting erases all stored data.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix an SD card without formatting and recover your data safely. This guide will walk you through the possible causes, preliminary checks, and step-by-step solutions to repair your SD card while preserving your files.

Causes of SD Card Corruption or Inaccessibility

Before attempting to fix the issue, it is important to know why they become corrupted, damaged, or inaccessible. Some of the common causes include:

1. File System Errors – A corrupted file system may prevent the operating system from recognizing the SD card.
2. Improper Ejection or Sudden Removal – Removing an SD card without properly ejecting it from the device can lead to corruption.
3. Virus or Malware Infection – Some viruses can attack storage devices, making files inaccessible or deleting them.
4. Bad Sectors on the SD Card – Over time, SD cards may develop bad sectors, preventing data from being read or written.
5. Compatibility Issues – Using an SD card on incompatible devices may lead to corruption or errors.

Understanding these causes will help you choose the best method to repair your SD card without formatting it.

Preliminary Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before diving into advanced troubleshooting methods, perform these basic checks:

1. Check if the SD Card is Locked

Many SD cards have a small switch on the side that locks them, preventing data from being modified. Ensure the switch is in the "unlocked" position.

2. Clean the SD Card and Slot

Dirt and dust accumulation in the SD card slot can cause connectivity issues. Use a soft cloth or compressed air to clean the card and slot.

3. Restart Your Device

A simple restart of your computer, camera, or phone can sometimes resolve minor connectivity issues.

If your SD card is still not accessible, proceed with the following methods to repair it.

Top 9 Methods to Fix a Corrupted/Damaged/Inaccessible SD Card Without Formatting

Method 1. Assign a New Drive Letter for the SD Card (Windows)

Steps to Assign a New Drive Letter:

1. Choose Disk Management by pressing Win + X.

2. From the list, locate your SD card.
3. Choose Change Drive Letter and Paths when you right-click on the SD card.

4. Select a new letter, click Change, and then click OK.

5. Check if the SD card is now accessible.

Method 2. Run CHKDSK Command to Fix the Corrupted SD Card (Windows)

The CHKDSK command scans and repairs file system errors on storage devices.

Steps to Use CHKDSK:

1. Connect the SD card to your computer.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Type the command:

   chkdsk X: /f

4. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
5. Once done, check if your SD card is accessible.

   If the command doesn't work, try:

   chkdsk X: /r

This will scan and fix bad sectors in addition to file system errors.

Method 3. Use Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooting tool that can detect and fix SD card issues.

Steps to Use Windows Troubleshooter:

1. Open Settings and go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Click Additional Troubleshooters.
3. Select Hardware and Devices, then click Run the troubleshooter.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions and apply the suggested fixes.

Method 4. Repair Using Command Prompt (SFC and DISM)

If CHKDSK doesn’t fix the problem, try the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) commands.

Steps to Run SFC Scan:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type:

   sfc /scannow

3. Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete.

Steps to Run DISM Scan:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.

These commands help repair system-related corruption that may be affecting the SD card.

Method 5. Update or Reinstall SD Card Drivers

Steps to Update SD Card Drivers:

1. Choose Device Manager by pressing Win + X.

2. Locate your SD card by expanding the disk drives.
3. Choose Update driver with a right-click on the SD card.

4. Select "Search automatically for drivers" and adhere to the guidelines.

If updating doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

Method 6. Check for Hidden Partitions or Unallocated Space

An SD card might have a hidden partition or unallocated space, making it appear as if it is missing.

Steps to Fix Hidden Partitions:

1. Open Disk Management.
2. Find where the SD card is. Right-click it and choose New Simple Volume if it says Unallocated.

3. Assign a drive letter and format it only if data recovery is not needed.

Method 7. Use Third-Party SD Card Repair Tools

Several third-party tools can scan and fix corrupted SD cards without formatting:

• Donemax Data Recovery
• Donemax Data Eraser
• Recuva
• Disk Drill

Download and install one of these tools, then follow the software's instructions to repair your SD card.

Method 8. Scan for Malware or Viruses

If your SD card has been infected with malware, use an antivirus program to scan and remove threats.

Steps to Scan for Viruses:

1. Open Windows Security and go to Virus & threat protection.
2. Select Scan options > Custom scan.
3. Choose the SD card and run a scan.

Method 9. Connect the SD Card to a Different OS (Mac/Linux)

If the SD card is unreadable on Windows, try connecting it to a Mac or Linux system.

Mac Users:

• Open Disk Utility and select your SD card.
• Click First Aid to repair it.

Linux Users:

Open Terminal and run:

sudo fsck /dev/sdX

(Replace X with the actual SD card identifier.)

How to Recover Data if the SD Card Is Still Inaccessible?

If none of the above troubleshooting methods work and your SD card remains inaccessible, your primary focus should be on data recovery before considering formatting. Here's a detailed guide on how to recover files from a corrupted or damaged SD card.

Method 1. Try Accessing the SD Card on Another Device

Before using specialized recovery software, attempt to access the SD card on a different device. Sometimes, certain operating systems handle SD card errors better than others.

• Try inserting the SD card into another computer – If you are using Windows, try a Mac or Linux machine.
• Use an external SD card reader – If the built-in reader isn't detecting the card, try an external USB SD card reader.
• Check the SD card on a camera or smartphone – Some devices can still recognize files even if they don’t appear on a computer.

If the card is detected on another device, immediately back up your files. If not, proceed with data recovery software.

Method 2. Use SD Card Data Recovery Software

If the SD card is not accessible through normal means, data recovery software can help extract files before attempting any repairs.

Donemax Data Recovery is one of the best SD card data recovery programs. It can securely and easily recover inaccessible or lost data from a corrupted or formatted SD card.

Step 1. Ensure you have installed Donemax Data Recovery on your computer, then connect the SD card to your computer. Open Donemax Data Recovery, select the SD card to start data recovery.

Step 2. Click on Scan button. Donemax Data Recovery will deeply scan the SD card and find all recoverable files.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, you can see all recoverable files. Then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

Donemax Data Recovery also can help you repair damaged SD card on Windows or macOS.

More SD card data recovery tools:

1. Recuva (Windows)

Recuva is a free and easy-to-use tool for recovering deleted or corrupted files from SD cards.

Steps to Recover Data:

• Download and install it on your computer.
• Insert the SD card and launch it.
• Select the file type you want to recover (photos, videos, documents, or all files).
• Choose the SD card as the location to scan.
• Click Start to begin the scan.
• Once the scan is complete, select the files you want to recover and save them to a different location (not the SD card).

2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows & Mac)

It offers a more advanced deep scan mode to retrieve files that may not be found by other tools.

Steps to Recover Data with EaseUS:

• Download and install it.
• Connect the SD card to your computer.
• Open EaseUS and select your SD card from the available drives.
• Click Scan and wait for the process to complete.
• Choose the files you require by looking through the restored files.
• Click Recover and save the files to a safe location.

3. PhotoRec (Windows, Mac & Linux)

PhotoRec is an open-source tool that works well for recovering lost photos, videos, and other files.

Steps to Use PhotoRec:

• Download PhotoRec and install it.
• Run PhotoRec and select your SD card.
• Choose the file types you want to recover.
• Start the scanning process.
• Once recovery is complete, save the recovered files to your computer.

Method 3. Recover Data Using a Professional Data Recovery Service

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

• The SD card is not detected on any device.
• The SD card makes clicking or buzzing sounds, which may indicate internal damage.
• Data recovery software fails to retrieve important files.
• The SD card has severe corruption or bad sectors.

How Do Professional Data Recovery Services Work?

• You send your damaged SD card to a recovery lab.
• Experts use specialized tools to extract data from the memory chip.
• They recover the files and send them back to you.

Some well-known data recovery companies include:

• DriveSavers – Trusted for emergency data recovery.
• Secure Data Recovery – Offers a no-data, no-fee policy.
• Ontrack Data Recovery – One of the leading recovery specialists.

💡 Tip: Before sending your SD card for recovery, check the pricing and policies. Some services offer a free diagnostic but charge based on the amount of recovered data.

Preventive Measures to Avoid SD Card Corruption

• Eject the SD card properly before removing it.
• Back up data regularly to prevent data loss.
• Use high-quality SD cards from reputable brands.
• Avoid overloading the SD card with excessive data.

Conclusion

A corrupted or inaccessible SD card doesn't always mean you need to format it. By complying the steps in this article, you can often repair your SD card while preserving your data. Always take preventive measures to minimize the risk of future corruption.

If you have lost data from the SD card, you can use Donemax Data Recovery to scan the SD card and get all lost data back.