6 Methods to Fix "The Directory Name Is Invalid" on SD Card in Minutes

Causes of the "The Directory Name is Invalid" Error on SD Cards

Have you ever encountered such a situation: when you insert an SD card into your computer and try to access the files on it, Windows pops up an error message saying "the directory name is invalid"? You're not alone. Many Windows 10 and Windows 11 users report encountering this issue when trying to open or access an SD card.

This error will make the drive become inaccessible, and you will also be unable to save, move, or copy files to the specified location. Fortunately, in most cases, you can fix it and regain access to your files. Before diving into the solutions, let’s look at some common reasons why you may see the “the directory name is invalid” error:

🔔Invalid or Too Long File Paths

If the SD card contains files or folders with excessively long names (exceeding 260 characters) or invalid characters (e.g., *, ?, :, "), Windows may fail to recognize the directory structure.

📌Loose or Faulty Connection

A poor physical connection such as a loose SD card in the reader, a damaged card slot, or a faulty USB card reader, can cause Windows to misrecognize the card’s directory path, triggering the error.

🔍Corrupted File System

The SD card’s file system (e.g., FAT32, exFAT, NTFS) may become damaged due to improper ejection, sudden power loss, or virus attacks. This corruption disrupts the directory structure, making it unreadable by Windows.

💡Outdated or Corrupted Drivers

Outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers for the SD card reader or USB controller can prevent Windows from communicating properly with the SD card, leading to directory-related errors.

🛠️Physical Damage to the SD Card

Physical issues like a scratched metal contact, bent pins, or internal hardware failure can render parts of the SD card unreadable, causing directory errors when accessing files.

Important: Recover Data from SD Card Before Fixing the Directory Error

When you see "the directory name is invalid" error on SD card, any attempts to repair the card might overwrite or further damage your files. So, before you try any fixes, there’s one critical step you shouldn’t overlook: recovering your data first. A reliable SD card data recovery tool like MyRecover can restore files safely even if Windows can’t access them.

Why Choose MyRecover?

✅500+ Devices Support – Recover files from all types of devices like SSD, HDD, USB flash drive, SD card, cameras, game console drives and more.

✅Handle 500+ Data Loss Scenarios – Recover from deleted partition, formatted hard drive, emptied Recycle Bin, system crash, virus attack, etc.

✅Supports over 1,000 File Types – Including documents, photos, videos, audio, archives, and Outlook data files.

✅Higher Success Rate – Advanced deep scan for NTFS/FAT32/exFAT drives.

✅OS Compatibility – Work not only on Windows 11 /10, but also on Windows 8.1/ 8/ 7 and all Servers.

✅Smart Scan Modes – Choose from Quick Scan for recent deletions or Deep Scan for formatted/corrupted drives.

✅Smart Filtering – Recover files by type, date, or size with precision.

4 Steps to Recover Lost Files from Unreadable SD Card

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from a secure channel. Connect the SD card to your computer with a correct card reader.

Step 2. Launch it and choose the SD card drive to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Choose the files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a safe location (not the original one) to save the recovered files.

Once the process is finished, the message indicating successful recovery will pop up. You can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or "Browse" button.

How to Fix "The Directory Name is Invalid" Error

Once your data is safe, you can proceed with the fixes below without worry. This section will provide 6 practical methods to solve "the directory name is invalid" error on SD card, you can follow the tutorial below.

Fix 1: Check the Path

Sometimes the error occurs because the system cannot locate the correct path. If the specified file or folder has been renamed, moved, or even deleted without realizing it, Windows will not be able to locate this path.

Step 1. Press "Win + E" to open File Explorer and check if the path exists on SD card.

Step 2. If it exists and can be accessed normally, you can move on to other methods. If it doesn't exist, select a correct path to open your file.

Fix 2: Assign a Correct Drive Letter

If your SD card has no drive letter or conflicts with another device, Windows may show the error. You can manually reassign a correct drive letter for the SD card.

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and choose "Disk Management" to open it.

Step 2. Navigate to the SD card drive and right click on it, then choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths".

Step 3. Choose a new and correct drive letter, then click "OK" to confirm the new drive letter assignment.

You can try access the SD card to check if the issue still exists.

Fix 3: Run CHKDSK Command

As mentioned earlier, file system errors can be one of the causes of the directory name error. You can use the CHKDSK command to fix file system errors on the SD card. It can repair file system errors and bad sectors on hard drives.

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

Step 2. Type the following command "chkdsk G: /f /r" and press "Enter". Replace the drive letter "G" with your actual SD card drive letter. Wait for the process to complete and check if the SD card is accessible.

Fix 4: Update Device Drivers

Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers may also trigger the “the directory name is invalid" error on Windows 11/10”. Try updating your driver to solve this problem.

Step 1. Press "Win +X" and choose "Device Manager" to open it.

Step 2. Expand "Disk drives" and right click on your SD card, then select "Update driver".

Step 3. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" to start the process.

Fix 5: Remove Malware Using Windows Defender

Malware infections may occasionally cause the "the directory name is invalid" error. This can happen when malware corrupts files, modifies system settings, or damages the file system. In many cases, removing the malware can resolve the error.

Step 1. Open File Explorer and locate the SD card drive.

Step 2. Right click on it and choose "Scan with Microsoft Defender" from the context menu.

Step 3. Windows will automatically start a quick scan and remove them following the on-screen prompts if any antivirus is detected. If needed, you can also choose "Full scan" to perform a more comprehensive scan, which may take more time.

Fix 6: Format the SD Card (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods resolve the issue, you can format the SD card to make it usable again. However, this will erase all files on the SD card, which is why it is recommended that you first extract the data from the SD card.

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and choose "Disk Management" to open it.

Step 2. Select the SD card drive and right click on it, then choose "Format".

Step 3. Specify the drive size and choose a desired file system based on your needs.

Step 4. Check the "Perform a quick format" option and click "OK" to start the process. Then the SD card can be accessible again.

Final Word

The “the directory name is invalid” error on SD card can occur due to many reasons, but with the methods above, you can fix it quickly on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Always remember to secure your data first before making any changes.

If you want a more reliable way to protect your files, MyRecover can be a good choice. It also offers Professional Edition offers unlimited recovery, full file previews, and even recovery from unbootable systems. It’s a simple way to ensure your files are always safe, no matter what happens.