Fix Your Canon Memory Card Error Now: A Step-by-Step Guide

Canon Memory Card Error, Please Help!

If you are stuck with the same issue just like the above user, don’t panic, check the reasons and the solutions to fix it quickly.

About Canon Camera Card Errors

A Canon camera might show different errors to tell you the SD card has problems, like:

• Err 02. Card cannot be accessed. Reinsert/change card or format card with the camera.
• Memory card error. Card Locked!
• Memory card error.

If you encounter these error messages, you can find effective solutions in the parts below.

Why Does Canon Show "Memory Card Error"?

When Canon shows a memory card error, it means that the camera is trying to read from or write to the memory card but has encountered a problem it can't bypass. There are common causes of memory card problems:

• Using a Damaged or Faulty Memory Card.

Memory cards have a finite lifespan and can wear out after years of use. Physical damage, like a tiny crack you can barely see, or internal failure of the memory chips, can render a card unreadable. If a card consistently causes problems in multiple devices, it's likely the card itself has problems.

• Issues with Camera Card Slot Connections

Sometimes, the problem might be with the camera itself. The metal contacts in the camera's card slot can accumulate dust, lint, or oxidation over time, leading to a poor connection. A bent or damaged pin in the slot will also prevent a good read, causing the camera to display an error even with a perfectly healthy card. This is often the case if your camera has taken a knock or is used frequently in dusty environments.

• File System Corruption on the Card

This is a major player in these errors. The file system is the card's table of contents; it tells the camera where everything is stored. If this file system gets corrupted—perhaps because you removed the card without turning off the camera, the battery died during a write operation, or you disconnected it from a computer without safely ejecting—the camera can't make sense of the data. It knows the photos are there, but it can't find them, leading to a Canon memory card error.

What should we do now?

How to Fix a Canon Memory Card Error?

Try the following ways to fix it now.

Way 1. Turn the Camera Off and On Again

It sounds almost too simple, but you’d be surprised how often this works. Just like rebooting a computer, turning your camera fully off, waiting about 30 seconds, and then turning it back on can clear temporary software glitches. It resets the camera's communication with the card and can be the easiest Canon memory card error fix you'll ever find.

2. Reinsert the Memory Card Securely

Over time, contacts can get a little dirty, or the card might not have been seated perfectly. Power down the camera, remove the memory card, and take a look at the gold contacts. If they look dirty, gently wipe them with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Then, reinsert the card firmly until it clicks into place. This re-establishes a clean physical connection.

4. Clean the Memory Card and Camera Contacts

If a simple reinsertion didn't help, a more thorough cleaning might be in order. For the card's contacts, use that soft, dry cloth again. For the camera's card slot, this requires more care. Use a can of compressed air to blow out any loose dust or debris. Do not insert anything metallic into the slot. If you see visible grime, a cotton swab very lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol can be used, but this is best left to those who are confident, as causing damage here can be a costly repair.

3. Try the Card in a Different Camera

This is a brilliant piece of diagnostic work. If you have access to another Canon camera (or even a different brand), try the card in that device. If it works perfectly, the issue is almost certainly with your original camera's card slot. If it fails in the second camera too, you've confirmed the problem lies with the card itself. This tells you exactly where to focus your troubleshooting efforts.

5. Format the Card in the Camera

This is the nuclear option for fixing a corrupted file system and is one of the most effective ways to fix a memory card error on a Canon camera.

To format, go to your camera's menu, find the Format option (usually under a tools or setup tab), and confirm.

Formatting in the camera ensures the card is set up perfectly for that specific device, often resolving persistent errors. However, you might encounter the following errors:

• Card 2 not formatted. Format card with this camera.
• Cannot format. Change card2.

If so, it's time to replace the memory card for your camera.

Recover Files Before Formatting with MyRecover

If you need to format the SD Card in a Canon camera, it’s highly recommended to recover your photos and videos first, then format it according to the above steps. When you're facing a Canon memory card error, the data is often still on the card but is inaccessible due to corruption. MyRecover is designed to scan the card deeply, bypass the corrupted file system, and pull your images, videos, and other files to safety.

With MyRecover, enjoy the following strengths:

Broad File Type and Format Support: MyRecover can recover a vast array of file types, including photos, videos, documents, emails, and archives from various storage devices like HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It supports file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS.

Powerful Deep Scan Technology: Beyond a quick surface scan, MyRecover performs a deep, sector-by-sector scan of your storage media. This is crucial for finding files lost due to formatting, partition loss, or severe corruption.

Advanced Preview Function: Before final recovery, MyRecover allows you to preview found files. This feature lets you verify the integrity and quality of your photos and documents.

Efficient and Fast Recovery: The scanning algorithms are optimized for speed without compromising depth. This means you can locate and restore your lost data quickly.

Flexible Recovery Options: MyRecover lets you selectively choose which files or folders to restore by filtering results by file type, date, or size, giving you complete control over the recovery process.

Here is how to recover files from a Canon SD card with MyRecover: 

1. Remove the memory card from your Canon camera. Use a card reader to connect it to your Windows computer. Install and launch MyRecover.

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2. Tap USB/SD Card Recovery, choose the Canon memory card, and hit Scan.

3. MyRecover will start a scan to find all your missing photos and videos, and hit OK when done.

4. Preview and choose the files you need to, and hit Recover. Choose a location to save these files safely.

Tips:✎...

Besides, you can recover files from an unbootable computer with a Windows bootable media.

You can also recover unlimited files if required.

To recover files from unlimited computers, try MyRecover Technician to enjoy.

Once the process is complete, your photos are safe, and you can proceed to format the memory card in your camera to fix the underlying error.

FAQs About Canon Memory Card Errors

Q: What does the 'Card Locked' error mean on my Canon camera?

A: The card's physical write-protect switch is slid to "lock".This prevents writing or formatting. Slide it back to unlock. If the error remains, the switch may be broken or the card damaged.

Q: I've tried everything, but my Canon memory card is still not working. Is it dead?

A: Likely yes, if it fails in multiple devices after cleaning and formatting. Cards have a limited lifespan. A consistently failing card should be replaced to avoid data loss.

Q: Can a corrupted memory card be fixed, and will I lose my photos?

A: Yes. First, recover photos using software like MyRecover. Then, format the card in the camera to fix it. Formatting erases everything, so recovery must come first.

Q: Why should I format the card in the camera instead of on my computer?

A: The camera optimizes the card's file structure for its specific use. Computer formatting can cause compatibility issues or slower performance. In-camera formatting is the most reliable method.

Q: How can I prevent these memory card errors from happening in the future?

A: Use good habits: turn off the camera before removing the card, safely eject from computers, format in-camera regularly, use high-quality cards, and don't fill them.

Q: Is it worth paying for professional data recovery for a memory card?

A: For most logical corruption, DIY software is sufficient. Reserve professional services (costing $100s-$1000s) for severe physical damage or when data is extremely valuable and software has failed.

Write in the End

Until now, you should have fixed the Canon memory card error using the above solutions. Besides, if you need to recover files from the Canon SD card, MyRecover is you best option. With MyRecover, you can also perform photo recovery after formatting, recover files from Sony SxS, recover files from a RAW Seagate external hard drive, etc.