PNY SD Card Recovery: The Complete Guide

Need help with lost files? Discover how PNY SD card data recovery works to restore photos, videos, and important documents. Our guide explains easy steps and the best tools to ensure you recover your data quickly and safely without hassle.

By @Vera
Last Updated September 5, 2025

User Need: PNY SD Card Recovery

 

PNY SD CARD RECOVERY

Hello. I am looking for help in recovering photo files from a corrupted SD card. I have used this card in the past with my normal Apple SD card reader and there's never been a problem. While traveling without my normal SD card reader I bought a a cheap SD card reader abroad. I put the card in the new reader, it was recognized, but I noticed that not all my files were there. I took it out and put it into my camera to check and the camera no longer recognized the card ("Card not initialized"). After that I removed the card and put it back in the card reader, which this time the card reader also couldn't recognize the card. Did this SD card reader corrupt the card? Any recommendations on going about trying to recover the files from this card now?

- Question from Reddit

PNY SD cards are popular for their speed and reliability, making them a go-to choice for photographers, videographers, and everyday users. But even the best SD cards can experience data loss. Whether it’s your child’s birthday photos or important work documents, losing data can be stressful. The good news? Recovery is possible, and in most cases, you can get your files back.

Why Do PNY SD Cards Lose Data?

Data loss isn’t random—it usually happens for a reason. Let’s break down the most common ones.

Accidental Deletion

One wrong click can send your precious files into oblivion. But don’t panic—deleted files usually remain hidden on the card until they’re overwritten.

Formatting Errors

Ever plugged your card into a device and got a "Format Now" message? If you clicked yes, all data appears wiped, but recovery is often still possible. >> Look here to learn how to easily recover a formatted SD card.

File System Corruption

Improper ejection, sudden power loss, or even firmware glitches can corrupt your SD card’s file system, locking away your data.

Virus or Malware Attacks

Infected devices can spread viruses to your SD card, causing files to vanish or become unreadable.

Physical Damage

Water, bending, or wear and tear can harm your card physically, making DIY recovery harder.

Can Lost Files Be Recovered from a PNY SD Card?

The good news? Most of the time, yes.

When Recovery is Possible

If the card is not physically damaged and you haven’t overwritten the files, recovery software can usually help.

When Recovery is Difficult

If the SD card is broken, burned, or files have been overwritten, recovery becomes nearly impossible without professional help.

3 Best Methods for PNY SD Card Recovery

Before starting PNY SD card recovery, you need to do the following precautions first.

  • Stop Using the Card Immediately: Once you realize files are missing, stop using the card to avoid overwriting them.
  • Do Not Reformat or Overwrite Data: Avoid formatting, copying, or saving new files on the SD card—it makes recovery much harder.

After that, you can recover your important data now!

Method 1: Recover Data Using MyRecover (All Windows PC and Servers)

When it comes to software-based recovery, MyRecover is a reliable and user-friendly option for PNY SD card recovery. It works well for accidental deletions, formatting issues, or file system corruption.

Key Features of MyRecover

  • Recovers deleted, formatted, or lost files from SD cards, USB drives, and other storage devices.
  • Supports all file types, including photos, videos, documents, and music.
  • Preview files before recovery, so you only restore what you need.
  • Compatible with both Windows 11/10/8/7 and various storage devices.

How to Use MyRecover (Step-by-Step)

1. Download & Install MyRecover on your computer.

2. Insert your PNY SD card using a card reader.

3. Launch MyRecover and click the"USB/SD Card Recovery" option.

4. Select the SD card and click "Scan" to let the program search for lost files.

5. Preview recoverable files—photos, videos, documents, etc.

6. Select what you want and click "Recover", saving them to a safe location (not the SD card).

This method is perfect for beginners since MyRecover does the heavy lifting for you. With this tool, you can also recover lost partition on SD card, even restore an accidentally deleted boot partition in Windows 11/10/8.

Method 2: Use Command Prompt (Only Win 10 & Win11)

Windows includes built-in tools that can sometimes repair SD card errors and recover hidden files.

Steps to try CHKDSK:

1. Insert the PNY SD card into your PC.

2. Open Command Prompt (Run as Administrator).

3. Type: chkdsk X: /f. (Replace X with your SD card’s drive letter.)

4. Press "Enter".

  • How it helps: Fixes minor corruption and restores hidden files.
  • When to use: If files disappeared due to corruption or improper ejection.
  • Limitations: Won’t recover permanently deleted files.

Method 3: Restore from Cloud Backup (If You Had a Backup)

If you’ve synced files with cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud, or backed them up to an external hard drive, recovery is as simple as restoring them.

  • How it helps: Fastest and most reliable if backups exist.
  • When to use: If your files were already copied elsewhere before deletion.
  • Limitations: Only works if you had a backup set up.

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss on PNY SD Cards

Regular Backups

Use cloud services or external drives to keep copies of your files.

Safely Eject SD Cards

Never pull out your card while files are transferring.

Protect Against Malware

Keep your computer and devices virus-free.

Use Reliable Devices and Readers

Cheap card readers can corrupt your SD card. Invest in quality gear.

Conclusion

Recovering lost files from a PNY SD card isn’t as impossible as it feels in the moment. With tools like MyRecover and simple backup strategies, you stand a great chance of getting your files back. The key takeaway? Act quickly, avoid overwriting data, and always keep backups handy. Prevention is your best friend when it comes to data loss.