Fix RAW SD Card: A Complete Guide to Repair & Recover Data

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SD cards are essential storage devices used in cameras, smartphones, and computers. However, sometimes, an SD card may turn RAW, making it inaccessible and prompting errors like "You need to format the disk before you can use it." If you've encountered this problem, don't worry - you're not alone. This guide will explain why SD cards become RAW, how to fix them, and how to recover data safely.

An SD card turning RAW means its file system is either missing or corrupted, preventing the operating system from recognizing it correctly. This can happen due to improper ejection, power failures, virus attacks, or file system damage. While a quick format can fix the issue, it may erase your data.

What Are RAW SD Cards Errors?

What Does RAW Mean?

A RAW file system means the SD card has no recognized format. Normally, SD cards use FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS file systems. When an SD card turns RAW, it loses this format, making it unreadable.

Common Symptoms of a RAW SD Card

• SD card prompts: "You need to format the disk before using it."
• The file system shows as RAW in Disk Management.
• Unable to access files.
• Windows shows: "The volume does not contain a recognized file system."
• SD card size is displayed as 0 bytes.

Why Does an SD Card Become RAW?

Several reasons can cause an SD card to become RAW:

1. File System Corruption – Sudden power failure or improper ejection can damage the file system.
2. Bad Sectors – Physical damage or prolonged use can cause faulty sectors, making the card unreadable.
3. Unsupported File System – If the SD card is formatted with an unsupported system, your device may not recognize it.
4. Formatting Errors – Interrupting the formatting process can leave the SD card in a RAW state.

Recover Data from a RAW SD Card

When an SD card turns RAW, data remains intact but becomes inaccessible. Before formatting, data recovery is crucial to prevent permanent loss. This section provides a step-by-step guide on recovering files from a RAW SD card using different methods.

Why Is Data Recovery Important Before Formatting?

Formatting an SD card erases everything stored on it. If you format before recovery, your data may be overwritten, making it harder (or impossible) to retrieve. Instead of rushing into formatting, use data recovery software to extract important files first.

Best Data Recovery Software for RAW SD Cards

Donemax Data Recovery is one of the best SD card recovery programs. It not only can recover deleted/formatted or lost files from a SD card, but it also can export files from a corrupted SD card to your computer.

Donemax Data Recovery is able to deeply scan the RAW SD card and find all recoverable files.

Step 1. Connect the RAW SD card to your computer, then download & install Donemax Data Recovery, open it. Select the SD card to start data recovery.

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

Step 3. Once the scan process gets finished, you can check & preview all recoverable files. Then select the desirable files, click on Recover button to save them.

More Data Recovery Tools for RAW SD Card Recovery:

1. Recuva (Best for Beginners, Free Option)

Developed by CCleaner, Recuva is a lightweight, easy-to-use tool for recovering files from RAW SD cards.

How to Use Recuva:

1. Download and install Recuva from the official site.
2. Connect the RAW SD card to your computer.
3. Launch Recuva and select the SD card drive.
4. Choose "Deep Scan" for thorough recovery.
5. Click Start and wait for the scan to complete.
6. Choose whatever files you wish to restore and store them on an alternative drive.

Pros:

• Free version available
• Simple interface
• Good success rate for recently deleted files

Cons:

Limited recovery for heavily damaged SD cards

2. PhotoRec (Best for Deep Recovery, Open Source)

PhotoRec is a powerful command-line tool designed to recover lost files, even from RAW partitions.

How to Use PhotoRec:

1. Download PhotoRec (bundled with TestDisk).
2. Run the program as Administrator.
3. Select your RAW SD card from the list.
4. Choose the file types you want to recover (e.g., photos, videos).
5. Set the recovery destination (do not save recovered files back to the SD card).
6. Start the recovery process and wait for it to complete.

Pros:

• Recovers data from severely damaged SD cards
• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Supports over 480 file formats

Cons:

• No graphical interface (command-line based)
• Can be complex for beginners

3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Paid Option)

EaseUS is a premium tool that provides an intuitive interface for recovering files from RAW SD cards.

How to Use:

1. Download and install it.
2. Launch the program and select the RAW SD card.
3. Click Scan and wait for the software to detect lost files.
4. Preview the recovered files before saving.
5. Pick a secure location to save the files that have been recovered.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Can recover from formatted SD cards
• Preview feature before recovery

Cons:

• Requires a paid license for full recovery
• Can be slow for deep scans

Manual Recovery Methods Without Software

If you prefer not to use third-party software, you can try Windows File Explorer or CMD-based solutions to retrieve your data.

1. Enable Hidden Files in Windows

Sometimes, files are not lost but simply hidden.

Steps to Show Hidden Files:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on View then Options and then Change folder and search options.
3. Under the View tab, enable "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."
4. Check if your files appear in the SD card.

Works If: The files are hidden but not deleted.

2. Use Attrib Command to Recover Hidden Files

If files are hidden due to a virus or corruption, the attrib command can restore them.

Steps to Use Attrib Command:

1. Open Command Prompt (CMD) as Administrator.
2. Type:

   attrib -h -r -s X:\*.* /s /d

   (Replace X with your SD card’s drive letter.)

3. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
4. Check if the files are now visible in File Explorer.

Works If: Files are hidden by a system error or malware.

Methods to Fix a RAW SD Card

Method 1. Check and Repair Using Windows Built-in Tools

1. Use CHKDSK to Repair the File System

Windows has a built-in CHKDSK (Check Disk) tool that scans and fixes file system errors.

Steps to run CHKDSK:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt (cmd) as Administrator.

Step 3. Type the command:

chkdsk X: /f /r

(Replace X with your SD card's drive letter.)

Step 4. Press Enter and it will start scanning upon pressing Enter.

Step 5. Restart your computer and check if the SD card is fixed.

Limitations:

• CHKDSK may not work if the file system is completely missing.
• It doesn't recover lost data - only repairs the card.

2. Use Windows Disk Management to Check SD Card Status

Step 1. Right-click Start Menu from Select Disk Management.

Step 2. Find your SD card. If it shows as RAW, right-click and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Step 3. If it becomes accessible, assign a new drive letter.

Step 4. If the SD card still shows as RAW, proceed to the next methods.

Method 2. Fix RAW SD Card Without Formatting (Using Third-Party Tools)

If CHKDSK doesn’t work, you can use third-party tools like TestDisk to repair the SD card without formatting.

1. Use TestDisk to Repair a RAW SD Card

TestDisk is a free, powerful tool for recovering lost partitions and file systems.

Steps to use TestDisk:

1. Download and install it from the official site.
2. Run as Administrator.
3. Select your SD card and choose Analyze.

4. If partitions are found, select Write to restore them.
5. Restart your computer and check if the SD card is fixed.

Advantages:

• Can repair RAW SD cards without formatting.
• Recovers lost partitions and file systems.

Method 3. Format the RAW SD Card

If the above methods fail, formatting is the only option. However, you should first recover your data before proceeding.

1. Format Using Windows Disk Management

Step 1. Right-click Start → Select Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click your RAW SD card and choose Format.

Step 3. Select a file system:

• FAT32 (For SD cards up to 32GB, best for most devices)
• exFAT (For larger SD cards, better for 64GB+ storage)
• NTFS (For Windows-only use)

Step 4. Click OK to format.

2. Format Using Command Prompt (DiskPart)

If Disk Management fails, use DiskPart:

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

   Diskpart

3. Enter the following commands one by one:

   list disk
   select disk X (replace X with your SD card number)
   clean
   create partition primary
   format fs=fat32 quick
   assign

4. Your SD card will be formatted and ready to use.

What If the SD Card Is Not Recognized?

If your computer does not detect the SD card, try these solutions:

1. Use a Different Card Reader or USB Port

• Sometimes, the issue is with the reader or port.
• Try inserting the SD card into another card reader or USB port.

2. Assign a New Drive Letter

If the SD card is detected but not accessible, assign a new drive letter:

Steps:

1. Open Disk Management.
2. Right-click your SD card and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

3. Click Add and assign a new letter (e.g., "G").
4. Click OK and check if the card is accessible.

3. Update or Reinstall SD Card Drivers

If the SD card is recognized but still RAW, updating its drivers may help.

Steps to Update Drivers:

1. Open Device Manager (Press Win + X, then select Device Manager).
2. Find Disk Drives and locate your SD card.
3. Right-click and select Update Driver.

4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

5. Restart your PC and check if the SD card is now readable.

Prevent SD Card from Turning RAW in the Future

To avoid RAW errors in the future, follow these tips:

1. Eject Properly – Always use "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging.
2. Backup Regularly – Store a copy of important files on a different device.
3. Use Reliable SD Cards – Avoid cheap or unknown brands.
4. Scan for Viruses – Use antivirus software to protect your SD card.
5. Check for Errors Periodically – Run chkdsk occasionally to prevent corruption.

Conclusion

Fixing a RAW SD card doesn't always mean losing data. Start with CHKDSK or TestDisk to repair it without formatting. If those fail, recover your files using data recovery software - such as Donemax Data Recovery before formatting the card. Finally, take precautions to prevent future SD card corruption.

By following this guide, you can restore your RAW SD card and recover lost data with ease.

FAQs About Fixing RAW SD Card

1. How to fix a RAW corrupted SD card?

On Windows, you can use Command Prompt to fix a RAW Corrupted SD card. Just use chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with the drive letter of the RAW SD card) command to fix corrupted SD card. You also can use Disk Management to add a new drive letter or create a new volume to fix inaccessible SD card.

On macOS, just open Disk Utility. If the SD card is not mounted, click on Mount button. If it still doesn't work, click on First Aid button to fix logical errors or click on Erase button to erase the SD card.

2. What is the best tool for repairing RAW SD card?

Here are some tools can help you fix a RAW SD card:

• Command Prompt
• Disk Management
• Donemax Data Recovery
• Disk Utility for Mac
• Donemax Data Eraser for Mac

3. How to recover images/videos from RAW SD card?

Data recovery program - such as Donemax Data Recovery can help in fixing corrupted SD card and recover all inaccessible/lost files. If you want to recover images/videos from a RAW SD card, just try Donemax Data Recovery.

• Download and install Donemax Data Recovery, connect the SD card to the same computer.
• Open Donemax Data Recovery, select the RAW SD card or formatted SD card.
• Click on Scan button to deeply scan the SD card and find all recoverable files.
• After deep scan, you can preview all recoverable files. Then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.