How to Recover Files from SD Card that Won't Read|Proven Methods

Why is the SD Card Unreadable?

SD cards are universally used in smartphones, cameras, drones, and other portable devices due to their compact size and reliable storage capacity. From amateur photographers to professionals, these tiny memory cards have become indispensable for storing and transferring critical data across multiple platforms.

However, as the usage time and frequency increase, SD cards may eventually become unreadable. If the problem can't be solved and files on it are lost, you will have no access to read these files. Before attempting file recovery from SD card, it's crucial to understand why your SD card became unreadable.​

• File System Corruption: Sometimes, the file system on the SD card gets corrupted due to improper ejection, power loss, or data transfer interruptions.​
• Improper Ejection or Removal: If the SD card was not safely ejected from a device, it can cause the file system to become corrupted.​
• SD Card Reader/Adapter Issues: Sometimes, the problem may not be the SD card itself, but the reader or adapter being used. It could be faulty or incompatible.​
• Outdated Drivers: If the SD card reader drivers on your computer are outdated or corrupted, it may cause the card to be unreadable.​
• Malware or Viruses: Some malware or viruses can cause SD cards to be unreadable by corrupting their file system.​
• Physical Damage: If the SD card has been physically damaged, it may become inaccessible. In this case, you might not be able to fix it yourself, but using a data recovery service might help.

How to Recover Files from SD Card That Won't Read for Free

So, what should you do when an SD card corrupted due to these reasons? In fact, an unreadable SD card doesn't erase all the files stored on it immediately until overwritten by new data. Therefore, once you notice that your SD card has become unreadable, stop using it immediately. Then, recover the files through proper methods to ensure data security.

This section will introduce two free and practical methods, guiding you step by step on how to recover data from SD card that won't read.

Windows File Recovery

Developed by Microsoft, the Windows File Recovery tool is a free command-line utility. It enables users to retrieve deleted files from multiple storage devices such as hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards. This tool is compatible with Windows 10 and subsequent versions.​ Here's how to recover files using Windows File Recovery command.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft store on your computer.​

Step 2. Type "Windows File Recovery" in the start menu to open it and run it as administrator.​

Step 3. Enter the command winfr F: E: /regular in the opened prompt window and press "Enter".​ Replace the drive letter "F" and "E" with your actual SD card drive letter.

When the scanning process is finished, you can press "y" to check the recovered files in the destination folder.

Professional Data Recovery Software-MyRecover

If this method doesn't work, or you're not used to using command-line tools, you can try professional third-party data recovery tools. MyRecover is highly recommended. It uses a graphical user interface, making it user-friendly even for non-professionals, allowing users to achieve data recovery simply by clicking icons.

In addition, MyRecover supports recovering from formatted SD card, deleted partition, inaccessible drive, or crashed system, and various data loss scenarios. It is compatible with multiple Windows versions, including Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 and more. You can retrieve your data from corrupted SD card in just four steps.​

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from a secure channel. Then connect the SD card to the computer.​

Step 2. Launch MyRecover and select the SD card drive to scan for lost files and click "Scan".​

Step 3. Choose the files you want to recover and click "Recover".​

Step 4. Select a safe location to store the recovered files (avoid saving to the original SD card).​

Once the message "Your files have been recovered successfully" shows on the screen, you can check them on the designated folder.

How to Fix the Unreadable SD Card Problem

Once all the important data has been stored in a safe place, you can start fixing the problem of an unreadable SD card without worrying about data loss during the repair process. Here are 8 methods to address an unreadable SD card.​

Solution 1. Check the Connection ​

Insert the SD card into a different device (another camera or computer) to check if it’s recognized. Sometimes the problem is with the device, not the SD card. This helps you identify if the card or the original device is faulty.​

Solution 2. Try Different Card Reader or Adapter​

Try using a different card reader or adapter. Sometimes, the problem lies with a faulty card reader. If the reader is defective or incompatible, the SD card may not be detected correctly.​

Solution 3. Assign a New Drive Letter​

If the drive letter of an SD card is missing or conflicts with other drives in the computer system, Windows will be unable to read the SD card. The problem can be resolved by assigning a new and correct drive letter.​

Step 1. Press Win+X and choose "Disk Management".​

Step 2. Select the SD card drive and right click to choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths".​

step 3. Add a new drive letter and click "OK".

Solution 4. Check Error in File Explorer​

This method will check for file system errors and fix any corruption or minor issues that might be preventing the SD card from being recognized.​

Step 1. Double click "This PC" icon to open File Explorer.​

Step 2. Select the SD card and right click to choose Properties > Tools, then click "Check" under "Error checking".​

Solution 5. Scan Malware Using Microsoft Defender​

Microsoft Defender is an excellent utility for detecting and eliminating viruses and malware. It provides various security features, including antivirus, web protection, and threat intelligence, to help protect devices, data, and users from cyber threats. You can perform a scan for the SD card drive to remove malware.​

Step 1. Double click "This PC" icon to open File Explorer.​

Step 2. Select the SD card drive and right click to choose "Scan with Microsoft Defender". Then it will perform a quick scan for the drive.​

If you need a more thorough scan, you can select "Full scan" or "Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan)" based on your specific requirements.

Solution 6. Update or Uninstall SD Card Driver​

Windows automatically downloads and installs the most recent drivers through Windows Update, but not all driver updates go exactly according to plan. If your SD card isn’t being detected, outdated or corrupted drivers might be the cause. ​

Step 1. Press the Win+X and choose "Device Manager".​

Step 2. Double click "Disk Drives" to select the SD card drive and right click "Update driver".​

Step 3. Select "Search automatically for updated driver software". If Windows finds an update, follow the prompts to install it.​

If the SD card is still unreadable after the update, you can uninstall the driver and reinstall it. Select the SD card drive in Device Manager and right click to choose "Uninstall device". Then restart your PC, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.​

Solution 7. Run Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a text-based interface in Windows operating systems. It enables users to interact with the OS via commands, allowing them to execute tasks and resolve issues directly without relying on the graphical user interface. If your SD card is unreadable, you can use the CHKDSK command to check and fix issues with the drive.​

Step 1. Type "command prompt" in the start menu and right click to choose "Run as administrator".​

Step 2. Enter the command chkdsk G: /f /r and press "Enter".

Solution 8. Format the SD Card Drive​

If none of the above methods work, the only way to make the SD card usable again is by formatting it. When the data has been secured, formatting can resolve the issue of an unreadable SD card.​

Step 1. Double click "This PC" icon to open File explorer and select the SD card.​

Step 2. Right click to choose "Format" and mark the "Quick Format" option, then click "OK" to perform format.​

In some cases, this method may not be available. Or, if you prefer command-line tools, you can also use DiskPart to perform the formatting following these steps.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following commands and press "Enter":

Diskpart

List disk: display all the disks on the computer.

Select disk 1: replace the number "1" with your actual disk number.

Clean: remove all the partition and data.

Create partition primary: create a new partition.

Format fs=FAT32 quick: perform a quick format with FAT32 file system.

Assign letter=k: add a drive letter to formatted partition.

Exit: close DiskPart.

Summary

In the quest to recover files from an unreadable SD card, various solutions exist, with specialized recovery tools playing a crucial role. MyRecover stands out as powerful asset. It not only covers a wide range of data loss scenarios but also supports the recovery of over 1000 file types.

Moreover, the Professional and Technician version of MyRecover offers enhanced features designed for users who have advanced requirements and multiple devices in the recovery process. It provides system crashed recovery and the ability to preview recoverable files, ensuring users can make informed decisions before restoring data.