With a few tricks, you can recover your photos and other data from a broken memory card. You will also know how to format said memory card for later use if it is serviceable.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: recover data on your memory card
Step 1. Stop using your memory card if you haven't already
If your camera displays a Memory Card Error or Reading Error message, or the like, turn it off, and remove the memory card. If you continue to use it despite these messages, you reduce the chances of recovering the data on it.
Step 2. Look for data recovery software
Even though it is possible that your memory card is damaged, you could still recover your data. There are several free data recovery software that are popular and you can choose from.
- Recuva: after selecting the disk to recover from (the memory card in this case), check the Photos box. Recuva will do all of the heavy lifting in the background. The software is recommended for most users.
- CardRecovery: after small adjustments, CardRecovery will scan all available memory cards. However, once you have passed the free evaluation period, you will need to pay to use the software.
- Photo Rec: This software has a minimalist interface, and you need to have a basic knowledge of how to use the command prompt. It is therefore not recommended for beginners.
Step 3. Download your data recovery software and install it
The process will usually involve going to the software's web page, clicking the button To download, then double-click the downloaded file.
- The position of the button To download will differ depending on the site you go to. If you can't find it, try looking at the sides or top of the web page.
Step 4. Connect your memory card to your computer
Most computers have a thin, rectangular memory card slot with the word SD written next to it. You will usually find it on the side if it's a laptop, or on the mainframe in the case of a desktop computer.
- If your Mac or Windows PC does not have a memory card slot, you have the option of purchasing an SD memory card reader for less than $ 10 which you will connect to your PC.
- You may need to authorize your computer to use the SD memory card before you can access it.
Step 5. Launch the data recovery software
It should be installed in the folder you chose earlier.
Step 6. Follow the directions on the screen
You will need to select the memory card as the search location and then choose Photos from the recovery software's scan options. Only after that the selected memory card will be scanned successfully.
Once the scan is complete, most software will give you the choice of either restoring or exporting the recoverable data to a location of your choice (your desktop, for example)
Part 2 of 3: repair memory card on Windows
Step 1. Connect your memory card to the computer
You can usually do this through the long, slender memory card slot on the computer, next to which there is the SD inscription. You will probably find it on the side of the laptop, or on the central unit of the desktop computer.
- If your Windows PC does not have an SD memory card slot, you can purchase a memory card reader that you connect to it via a USB port. This will usually cost you less than $ 10.
- You may need to authorize your computer to use the SD memory card before you can access it.
Step 2. Click the Start button
This is the button in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 3. Type Computer in the search bar
Even though Computer is named This PC or My PC on Windows 8 and 10, typing Computer will still return you to the base version of this command on your computer.
Step 4. Press Enter
This will open the Windows Explorer window.
Step 5. Look at the peripherals section
This is located at the bottom of Windows Explorer. You should find a Local Disk (C) there which is the primary hard drive, as well as all other hard drives connected, including your memory card.
If you cannot tell your memory card from the batch, remove it while this window is open to see the disc disappear. Remember to reinsert it before continuing
Step 6. Keep the letter assigned to your memory card
The computer's default hard drive is assigned the letter C, so your memory card will likely have a different letter.
Step 7. Hold ⊞ Win and press X.
This will bring up a quick access menu above the button. To start up which is located in the lower left corner of the screen.
- You can also right click on the button To start up to access this menu.
Step 8. Click the Command Prompt (Admin) button
This will launch the Command Prompt program where you can format your memory card.
If you are not using your computer's administrator account, you will not be able to do this
Step 9. Type chkdsk m: / r in the Command Prompt window. You will need to replace the letter m: here with the letter assigned to your memory card (e for example). Function chkdsk checks if the chosen drive is corrupted, then formats the areas that need to be repaired.
There should only be one space between m: and / r
Step 10. Press Enter
This will start the disk verification process. If Command Prompt finds any issues that can be fixed, it will be done.
- If the Command Prompt asks for your permission to continue, tap Entrance to grant him permission.
- You might see an error message saying Errors Found. CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode after pressing Entrance. This often means that the drive is no longer able to be repaired, or that it does not need to be formatted (it may not be damaged).
- Sometimes this type of error is related to the antivirus preventing the formatting process. So you should turn off your antivirus while you format the drive to see if that fixes the problem.
Step 11. Remove your memory card
When the process is complete, you can safely remove your memory card from the computer and put it back in your camera.
Part 3 of 3: repair memory card on Mac
Step 1. Connect the memory card to your Mac
You may need to purchase an SD memory card reader since not all Macs have a memory card slot.
- If your Mac has an SD memory card slot, it will be on the side of the case in the case of a laptop, or on the back of the central unit if you have a desktop computer. You may also find it on the side of the keyboard on some desktop computers.
- On some devices, you will need to allow USB drive use in the settings before the computer can recognize the memory card.
Step 2. Open the Mac's Finder menu
This is the icon with the blue face that can be found at the dock level.
Step 3. Click on the Go menu
This is located in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Click Utilities
This will open the Utilities folder, from where you can launch Disk Utility.
You could also on the other hand hold the ⇧ Shift and ⌘ Command keys, then press U to launch the Utilities folder
Step 5. Double click on Disk Utility
This application comes in the form of a gray hard drive with a stethoscope placed on it.
Step 6. Choose your memory card
It should be in the External section on the left pane of the Disk Utility window.
If you cannot find your memory card there, remove it and put it back in the computer
Step 7. Click on S.O.S
This is the stethoscope icon located at the options level at the top of the Disk Utility page.
Step 8. Click Run
If you see a window appear indicating Your hard drive is about to fail, it means that you will not be able to repair the memory card.
Step 9. Wait for the memory card to be repaired
As soon as your Mac tells you that the process is complete, you can safely remove the memory card and put it back in your camera.
You might see the error message The underlying task reported failure. In this case, restart the Mac and try to do the manipulation again
Advice
- You can prevent the data on your memory card from being erroneous or corrupted by being careful not to remove it while files are being backed up or written to it, by avoiding saving data to it when the battery of your memory card is running. device is weak, and if possible, be sure to turn off the device before removing the memory card.
- Memory cards don't last forever. They have an average lifespan of ten thousand to ten million write and delete cycles. This is why it is recommended that you have backups and replace memory cards after a few years, depending on how often you use them.
- Usually a new 8 GB SD memory card will cost you less than $ 10.