How to fix a damaged memory card | Introduction
One of the key advantages Android has over iOS is that smartphones running Google's mobile operating system typically come with a microSD card slot, which allows you to expand your storage space. However, some users have already come across the fact that this is a double-edged sword, and something can go wrong.
As a user under the nickname faaizkhan1 writes on our forum, his memory card was damaged when used in the HTC M8 smartphone. When connected to a PC, all folders are visible on the card, all photos are listed in the DCIM folder, but they cannot be opened. Attempts were made to recover data using Wondershare and other utilities, but the "recovered" images also did not open. Is there a way to restore the card's functionality without completely formatting it?
Similar problems arise quite often in cases when you have been using the same card in different devices for several years. And they can manifest themselves in different ways. The smartphone may not read all or some individual files stored on the card. In some cases, the data can be restored, and in others there is no choice but to format the card: it will be functional again, but all its contents will have to be erased.
If such problems sound familiar, then we want to offer you several ways that can solve them. Let's start with simple options with minimal risk and end with extreme means.
How to fix a damaged memory card | Renaming a map
If the card works fine in your smartphone, but is not recognized in the PC, one of the possible solutions looks simple: just rename this card. Windows sometimes assigns the wrong drive letters to removable drives, making it impossible to access them. Here's how it's done:
2. Right-click on the microSD card in the bottom pane and select Change Drive Letter and Path.
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3. Click on the "Change" button and select one of the proposed options in the drop-down menu.
How to fix a damaged memory card | Fixing the map in Windows and Mac OS
If the problems with the card are more serious, then simply renaming them in the Windows directory will not solve them. To understand whether these problems are related to the card or the device to which it is connected, we recommend that you first check it with other devices - computers, tablets, phones, cameras, game consoles, etc.
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The next step might be to try to fix errors on the microSD card, and there are two different ways to do this. The first is to bring up Windows Explorer again, right-click on the drive and select Properties. In the window that appears, there is a "Tools" tab, where you will find the option to check the map for errors. If any errors are found, Windows will suggest trying to fix them.
The second method involves using the command line: you need to type chkdsk and the letter of the drive you want to check. Windows provides two options here: fix the problem or repair the disk.
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While they sound almost the same, the two are slightly different. Troubleshooting means scanning the disk for any file read errors and trying to fix them on the fly. The fix produces the same end result, but results in a deeper scan of each sector of the map for errors and glitches. This takes longer and may not be necessary, so we recommend trying the first method first.
To fix problems, type / f after chkdsk x :, where x: is the letter Windows assigned to your microSD card. To start the patching process, enter / r instead of / f.
To fix the map in Mac OS, you need to use the built-in "Disk Utility" - it can be found in the "Utilities" menu in the "Applications" folder. Select the microSD card - it may be labeled “No Name” or “Untitled” - and click the First Aid button. To start the process, click the Fix Disk button.
How to fix a damaged memory card | Correcting the map using manufacturer's or third-party software
If you have come this far, then none of the simpler methods have worked, and you will have to resort to specialized programs. There are many third-party programs like Recuva or RescuePro that are designed to fix drives and recover lost files. Some of them are completely free, some offer only free diagnostics, and some are completely paid.
Fortunately, many manufacturers of memory cards have their own programs of this kind, so if there are any, it is better to try using them first. For example, PNY has a free utility to recover lost or deleted files.
How to fix a damaged memory card | Formatting as a last resort
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If none of the methods worked, you have no choice but to format the memory card. Thus, you will make it workable, but this is an extreme measure - you will lose all the data stored on it, and their recovery after formatting is much more difficult, if not impossible.
If you are aware of these risks, then formatting a microSD card is very easy. In Windows, just right-click on the card icon and select "Format". You will be prompted to select a file system, but only exFAT needs to be selected for Android compatibility.
On Mac OS, the formatting process looks almost the same as correcting a card. Open Disk Utility, click the Erase button, select the exFAT file system from the Format drop-down menu and click the Erase button. Formatting may take a while, so be patient.
Hopefully after that you get a working microSD card again. If none of the proposed methods worked, the reason for the failures may be physical damage to the card, and then you will have to purchase a new one. Of course, data loss is hard to come to terms with, but fortunately, flash cards have become extremely cheap in recent years.
Often, users are faced with a situation when the memory card of a camera, player or phone stops working. It also happens that the SD card began to give an error indicating that there is no space on it or it is not recognized in the device. The loss of performance of such drives creates a serious problem for the owners.
The most common causes of loss of performance on memory cards are as follows:
- accidental deletion of information from the drive;
- incorrect shutdown of equipment with a memory card;
- When formatting a digital device, the memory card was not removed;
- damage to the SD card as a result of the breakdown of the device itself.
Let's look at ways to recover an SD drive.
Method 1: Formatting with special software
The truth is that you can only restore a USB flash drive by formatting it. Unfortunately, without this, it will not be possible to restore its performance. Therefore, in the event of a malfunction, please use one of the SD formatting programs.
Also, formatting can be done through the command line.
If all of the above does not bring your storage medium back to life, there will be only one thing left - low-level formatting.
Method 2: Using the iFlash Service
In most cases, you need to search for recovery programs, and there are a huge number of them. This can be done using the iFlash service. To recover memory cards, do the following:
The same goes for other manufacturers as well. Usually, instructions for restoration are given on the official websites of manufacturers. You can also use the search on the iflash website.
Sometimes data recovery from a memory card fails due to the fact that it is not recognized by the computer. This can be caused by the following problems:
If the memory card is detected on the computer, but its contents cannot be read, then
check your computer and SD card for viruses. There is a type of virus that makes files "Hidden" so you can't see them.
Method 3: Windows OC Tools
This method helps out when the microSD or SD card is not detected by the operating system, and an error is generated when trying to format.
We fix this problem using the diskpart command. For this:
Now the SD card can be formatted using standard Windows OC tools or other specialized programs.
As you can see, it is not difficult to recover information from a flash drive. But still, in order to prevent problems with it, you need to use it correctly. For this:
- Handle your drive carefully. Do not drop it and keep it away from moisture, extreme temperature fluctuations and strong electromagnetic radiation. Don't touch the contacts on it.
- Remove the memory card from the device correctly. If, when transferring data to another device, you simply pull out the SD from the slot, then the structure of the card is broken. Remove the device with the flash card only when no operations are being performed.
- Defragment the card periodically.
- Back up your data regularly.
- Keep microSD in a digital device, not on a shelf.
- Do not fill the card completely, there should be some free space in it.
Proper use of SD cards will prevent half of the problems with its crashing. But even if there was a loss of information on it, do not despair. Any of the above methods will help you get your photos, music, movie or other important file back. Good work!
As a result of improper use or for some external reason, the memory card may be damaged. In this case, the amount of space on it is indicated as zero, or a warning appears that the disk is write-protected. In the worst case, the card is not detected by the computer at all. You can restore a memory card using specialized programs.
Reasons for memory card failures
Any card is a flash drive with a controller microcircuit inside. Thanks to this controller, data is transferred from the card chip to the computer, as well as in reverse order. If the device is removed incorrectly, during power surges, or for other reasons, the program that controls the controller may malfunction. Therefore, you need to imagine how to restore a card in a phone, tablet or any other device. Let's take a look at how to recover from Silicon Power, SanDisk and Transcend cards.
If the type of memory card is unknown
How to recover a memory card if you do not know its type? The user's actions will look like this:
Transcend card recovery
The best way to recover a Transcend drive is to use Transcend's dedicated RecoveRx software. Even if the card is damaged, this free program will pull all the data from it to the maximum. The work takes place in several stages:
SanDisk Card Recovery
A phone card or other device like SanDisk with a capacity of up to 32Gb can be restored with the simple and free D-Soft Flash Doctor program:
Silicon Power Recovery
It is recommended to reanimate Silicon Power using. This recommendation is based on Silicon Power's close relationship with Recuva. The program allows you to perform data recovery from media even if the Silicon Power memory card is damaged or formatted. With the help of the Recuva program, all lost information will be returned, unless the medium is mechanically damaged.
Let's see how you can conveniently work in the Recuva program:
Warning! When working with Recuva, do not save your data to the same medium where it was lost. Otherwise, the chances are high that you will not find them again. And Recuva will have nothing to do with it. Silicon Power media itself may not display them.
Most users of mobile phones and smartphones are faced with a situation where the phone does not see the memory card. Sometimes this question arises immediately after purchasing the device, but most often it breaks down later, having already become an integral part of everyday life and accumulate important files. There are many reasons why a flash drive is not displayed on the screen and, by applying force, the owner can always eliminate them.
If the phone does not see the memory card, we can talk about software malfunctions, this factor is recorded in half of the situations. Just as often, defects are the result of a banal breakdown of a flash drive, only replacement will help here, although modern capabilities allow you to recover data from a damaged media.
With a lack of time and desire, there is always the option of contacting the specialized services of the service center, but they cost money and will cost more than the flash drive itself. The instructions for restoring the browsing function apply to all generations of mobile devices, including older versions. In these cases, in response to the question: why the phone does not see the memory card, it remains to shrug: he is tired, he leaves. But! The data can always be reproduced in full!
In an extreme situation, a reading device will help, from which they are easily transferred to a PC.
Factors due to which the phone does not see the memory card
Asking why the smartphone does not see the memory card, its owner needs to analyze the following points:
- Why is she out of order;
- Find out the current state;
- Clarify the reasons for the failures;
- If they relate to software, then why does the android not see the memory card.
Then based on the results
- Format via PC;
- Format via smartphone.
It must be remembered that when you first install a flash drive, difficulties are often caused by its capacity. This is especially true for outdated models that are unable to support modern products. 
If the new phone does not see the memory card what to do, the following list will tell you, which lists the main problems and ways to fix them.
- Filesystem crashes. The most common problem that is eliminated by reformatting the flash drive;
- Weak connection to the flash reader. The flash drive must be inserted more tightly, and then restart the mobile phone;
- The phone does not see the memory card because the reader connector is completely defective. Only referring to the specialized services of the repair center will help here;
- The flash drive just burned out. It will not be possible to reanimate it, but there are still hopes for data recovery. Modern capabilities allow you to do this.
The phone does not see the memory card. Procedure
First of all, it needs to be rebooted. Usually, this procedure is already sufficient to fix software failures and other complexities. If, after rebooting, the phone does not see the microsd memory card, you need to remove the external cover and remove the battery, behind which the flash reader is located, and check the contacts. In other models, the socket is on the side, here you also need to try to press it tightly to the contacts. The main thing is not to transfer it, so as not to cause mechanical damage. 
When there are no positive results, the product is checked on another device. The ideal option is a card reader connected to a computer. Another mobile device will do just fine. If it and all the stored information are available, it means that the problems are in the smartphone and here it is no longer possible to do without repair. The root causes are caused by software flaws or damaged contacts. 
When another phone does not see the memory card, we are talking either about defects in the file structure, or the flash drive simply burned out. In this case, it cannot be restored, whereas file failures are easily eliminated, it is enough to format the product.
Format using PC
It must be remembered that in the process all information from the drive will be deleted. If there is no certainty that the memory card is not visible on the phone due to software problems, and the stored information is important, it is better to take it to the repair service.
In another situation, you need to format the USB flash drive in the following sequence:
- It fits into the reader and then into the computer slot;
- The launch should start automatically. If this is not the case, then the phone stopped seeing the memory card due to its problems. You need to go to "My Computer" and see the list of available connections. The absence of a drive in it indicates that it has burned out;
- When the display is there, right-click it and activate the "Format" option;
- A menu appears on the screen where the user must select the format. It is represented by 2 types NTFS and FAT. The lion's share of flash drives belongs to the FAT standard, which is chosen from the very beginning. In the absence of positive results, you can try NTFS;
- Having determined the format, the owner activates the "Start" option and waits for the end of the operation;
- Followed by a formatted flash drive, again checked for work. It happens that already at this stage all questions are removed.
In the absence of a card reader, all actions can be easily performed using a mobile device.
Formatting without a computer
So what to do if there is no card reader, PC and laptop. It doesn't matter, the product is easily formatted using a mobile phone, you just need to go to the "Settings" Android. They are located in the corresponding list, where the owner can use the "Disconnect" and "Checkout" functions. Most current devices immediately offer the owner to format the drive. You should not perform the operation right away, because, as in the case of a computer, the operation completely erases all stored files.
Before that, you need to check the contacts again, excluding the version of the weak connection. After making sure of the sufficient density of the connection, the user proceeds to the direct process.
- The "Clear" option is selected in the menu. It takes little time and usually takes one minute. Then the function "Connect SD-card" is activated in the menu and if there are no mechanical faults, it is ready for operation.
Understanding the reasons, you should keep in mind the different versions of Android firmware. The order of actions depends on this. In other operating systems, the procedure is performed in a similar way, just find the "Settings" category
