In this guide I will tell you all the tips and tricks that you should keep in mind if you think your SD card might be damaged.
I am going to explain to you How to recover files from a damaged SD card. First, I will tell you some steps you must follow to determine if the storage device is really damaged or not. If you are sure that this is the case, keep reading to discover the most advisable methods when you encounter this type of problem. Increase your chances of recovering your personal information with these guidelines.
Are you sure that your SD card is damaged?
Before assuming that the SD card is damaged, you should do some checks. You may not be able to read the content because it has nothing to do with the device Let’s take a look at some tips that you should not neglect.
Check the card reader
Check your card reader before assuming your SD card is damaged. Sometimes there can be problems Stay on the device you use to read the card. Start by cleaning the card reader connectors and making sure they are free of any dust or dirt.
The card reader you use may be damaged. In this case, it’s not the card’s fault.
then try Insert the card into another reader or to a different device to override the reader failure. If the card works fine in other readers or devices, the problem may be with the original reader. Also check if your card reader is up to date with the latest drivers
Check the USB port
Sometimes card reading problems can be caused by a faulty USB port. to start Inspect the connector And make sure there is no visible dirt or damage. Try connecting other devices to the same USB port to see if the problem persists
If other devices work properly, The USB port is probably working properly. On the other hand, if other devices are also having connectivity issues, then the USB port may be faulty. If so, try other available USB ports on your device or consult a specialized technician.
Insert the card into another device
If you suspect that your SD card is corrupted, Try it on another device before jumping to a conclusion. Find a compatible device, such as a computer, camera or phone, and insert the SD card into it Check if the new device can properly read the card and access the stored files. If everything works fine, it means that the problem is with the first device.
Know the signs that something might be wrong
There are some indications that may indicate that something is wrong with your SD card The most common are:
- Missing or inaccessible files on SD card.
- Extreme slowness when accessing or transferring data to the card.
- Frequent read or write errors when trying to use the card.
- Incorrect formatting or inability to format cards correctly.
- Like the error message unknown card o Card error.
- Reboot the device while inserting the SD card.
- File corruption or distorted image when opened from card.
- Storage capacity on SD card is incorrect or not detected.
- Overheating of SD card during use.
If something like this is happening to your SD card, it’s probably damaged.
Solution to recover access to a damaged SD card
If you are sure that your SD card has a problem and is damaged, here are some solutions that can help you recover data. All of them must be run from a Windows PC.
While it is true that these are methods that sometimes work, they are not wrong. In the event that the damage to the device is such that the memory becomes inaccessible, you may lose your data permanently.
Change the drive letter
When you have trouble accessing a corrupted SD card, there is a solution you can try Change the drive letter assigned to the card. To do this on Windows, go to Disk management.
Changing the drive letter will force the system to reconnect to the SD card
So, right click on the SD card and select Change the drive letter and path. Then choose an available drive letter and commit the changes. This can help re-establish the connection between the card and the operating system, allowing you to access files stored on the external media again.
Run the chkdsk tool
Another solution you can try is to run the chkdsk utility, also known as Check the disk.
This internal Windows tool scans and repairs errors on drives connected to the computer
To do this on Windows, follow these steps:
- Connect the SD card to your computer and open a command prompt window.
- Then enter the command chkdsk X: /f. where i put XYou must put the assigned drive letter on the SD card.
- Press Enter.
The tool will scan the card for errors and try to fix them automatically. It can help repair file system issues and restore data access to damaged SD cards.
Make sure the reader is detected
Your card reader may give you problems. Make sure it is properly connected to the device. next, Check if the cables are plugged in properly And there is no visible damage to the ports.
Device Manager can tell you if the card reader is detected correctly
When that doesn’t work, open Device Manager To see if the reader has been recognized. If yes, it should appear in the list. Note that additional drivers may need to be installed even if it shows up in Device Manager. You will know this when it shows up in the card reader section Other instruments.
Try recovering data with Recuva
If Windows detects the card has lost data, a viable solution is to use Recuva. Once you install it, the tool will open in wizard mode.
Recuva is a powerful tool that helps you recover files from SD card even after formatting
There you will be Select the file type and location you want to search. Then, the program will provide you with a list with all the elements that can be recovered. Best of all, Recuva is a completely free tool.
Try formatting the SD card
This is my last suggestion Try formatting your damaged SD card. Please note that this method will erase all data stored on the card.
To do this, connect the SD card to your PC and open File Explorer. Right click on the SD card and select the option layout. Select FAT32 as the file system and select get started To start the formatting process. Once complete, you will be able to use the SD card like new, but all previous data will be lost
