Exact Steps for Fixing SD Card Cannot Be Read & Recovering Data

Situation: SD Card Cannot Be Read

The SD card cannot be read error indicates that the device is unable to access the data stored on the SD card. It can arise due to a variety of reasons and appear on different devices, like Windows, Mac, phones, etc.

When this error occurs, you may experience an inability to view files, access apps, or save new data on the SD card, which can significantly impact your computer experience and even lead to data loss.

Situation 1. SD card cannot be read by PCs.

Some users may encounter the issue that SD card cannot be read by PCs. For example, this user reported SD card not reading on Windows 10 and asked for help fixing this error.

“I just upgraded my HP computer desktop to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 as my hard drive failed and had to install a new one. Now I cannot get the computer to read my SD card from my camera. Is there a way to fix this? I need step-by-step help with Windows 10 since I am not 'tech savvy." Thank you for any help, it's so frustrating upgrading.”answers.microsoft.com

Situation 2. SD card not reading on phones/cameras.

Additionally, some may receive the error that SD card not reading on phones/cameras. What should you do if you are among them? Just follow.

“Why can't I access my SD card on my phone? I installed a 32 GB micro SD card and I'm unable to access it with my C7 phone.”support.google.com

Under these circumstances, you may ask: Why my SD cannot be read on Windows 11/10? How to fix the cannot read SD card issue? Fret not; this guide will clear your doubts. Without any further ado, let’s dive into the next part.

Possible Causes for SD Card Cannot Be Read Error

Here are the common factors that cause the SD card cannot be read error:

• Card Reader Issues: Being unable to access files saved on your SD card doesn’t imply that the SD card is at fault. Memory card readers can stop functioning despite having no moving parts.
• Data Corruption: Digital data can become corrupted, sometimes rendering the SD card inaccessible.
• Physical Damage: The small size of SD cards makes them susceptible to mechanical damage.
• Incompatible File System: Different operating systems support specific file systems, leading to compatibility issues.
• Write Protection: A physical switch on some SD cards can prevent data writing or deletion, affecting readability.
• Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers may prevent device recognition of the SD card.
• Poor Connection: Worn metal pads on the SD card can cause connection problems over time.

Recommended Action: Recover Data from the SD Card that Cannot Be Read

I’ve experienced the frustration of setting an SD card aside for an extended period, only to attempt to access it and discover that it displays “SD card cannot be read.” The first thing I do is recover my data from the SD card. You may be wondering: Besides sending my device to a professional data recovery center, how can I recover data from the SD card that cannot be read myself? Of course, you can.

In the marketplace, there is a wide variety of free data recovery software designed to recover files from different types of data storage media. Among these SD card data recovery software, MiniTool Power Data Recovery comes highly recommended as it offers flexible file recovery options, excellent recovery outcomes, and minimal cost.

Why Should You Choose MiniTool Power Data Recovery?

MiniTool Power Data Recovery is superior to other secure data recovery services mainly for the following reasons:

• MiniTool Power Data Recovery is highly compatible with well-known file storage devices. For example, you can utilize it to carry out SD card data recovery, dash cam data recovery, hard drive data recovery, and more.
• Additionally, it accommodates numerous file loss scenarios, ranging from accidental deletion to losses due to file system corruption, virus attacks, power failures, and more. It is compatible with nearly all versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 8.
• If you are using MiniTool Power Data Recovery for the first time to recover data from the SD card that cannot be read, you can download and install the free version. This version enables you to recover files up to 1 GB for free.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

How to Recover Data from the SD Card

Step 1. Scan the SD card.

Connect your SD card to the PC via a card reader and launch MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free. By default, you will see all the hard drive partitions on your computer under the Local Drivers section. What should you do is find and select the SD card partition which is marked with a USB icon and click Scan to start scanning for files.

Alternatively, you can navigate to the Devices tab. Under the category list, all connected devices, including your SD card, are displayed. If you want to scan files in multiple partitions of the entire device at once, consider scanning the SD card under this tab.

Step 2. Find and tick the needed files with multiple useful features.

After fully scanning, the lost, deleted, and existing files on the SD card are listed in a tree structure under Path by default. It is quite likely that you can open the related folder and fully recover a complete folder while maintaining the original structure of the files. Another option is to select the Type category, where you can organize your files according to their type or even by file format.

Additionally, the Filter, Search, and Preview features are useful for narrowing the file list.

• Filter: This feature allows you to establish filtering criteria such as file type, file modification date, file size, and file category to filter out unnecessary files.
• Search: It enables you to look for a specific file using either its complete or partial name.
• Preview: Given that the free version of this SD card data recovery software has a limit of 1 GB for data recovery, it’s crucial to verify the accuracy of the recovered files. In this case, the Preview feature is extremely beneficial. It allows you to preview nearly all types of files at no cost. To view a file, just double-click on it or select it and click the Preview button.

Step 3. Tick and save the wanted files.

Ensure all the files are checked, then click the Save button. After that, you’ll need to choose a location to save the recovered files. Simply pick a save location that is different from the SD card and click OK to begin recovering the selected items.

Once the process is complete, you can navigate to the chosen directory to see the recovered data or directly click the View Recovered button in the software interface to access the saved items. If you trust our product, you can upgrade it to the MiniTool Power Data Recovery Pro version.

Bonus Tips: Back up Your SD Card Data Regularly

When encountering media issues like “SD card cannot be read,” the process of repair can be complicated and time-consuming, and might even cause further device damage or data loss. Additionally, if the SD card has physical damage, recovering data from it is nearly impossible. Thus, it’s crucial to back up the SD card or essential files regularly while the SD card is functioning properly.

For backing up files or partitions, MiniTool ShadowMaker is a great option, as it is considered one of the top Windows backup solutions. It excels in backing up files, folders, partitions, disks, and entire Windows systems on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or even when you start or log off.

You can install its trial version and use it for free for 30 days.

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Basic Troubleshooting Steps: Fix SD Card Cannot Be Read on PCs/Phones/Cameras

After recovering the data from the SD card that cannot be read using the SD card data recovery software MiniTool Power Data Recovery, some of you may need some methods to repair the SD card to restore the normal function. Let’s dive into how to fix this SD card issue.

Step 1. Check Your SD Card Reader

First, check for visible wear or damage on the card reader, which could prevent the SD card from being read by devices. Next, test the reader with another SD card; if that one works, the original card may be faulty. If both cards fail, the issue might be with the reader. For external readers, consider swapping the connection cables, as faulty cables can also cause problems.

Step 2. Use a Different USB Port

If you’re using a computer with multiple USB ports, try plugging the SD card reader into a different port, as some USB ports may not function properly. Ensure the connection is secure; a loose connection can prevent the card from being read.

Step 3. Remove the Write Protection

When the SD card has write protection enabled, Windows might be unable to read or detect it. In this case, you could attempt to remove the write protection on the SD card to see if that resolves the problem.

Step 4. Reboot the Device and Reinsert the SD Card

Take out the memory card and put it back in to check if the “SD card cannot be read” error continues. Frequently, restarting the PC/phone/camera can also resolve small problems like this.

How to Fix Cannot Read SD Card on Windows

If the above simple methods don’t work for you, in the following part, I will guide you to repair the SD card on Windows so that you can use it in the future.

Solution 1. Assign a New Drive Letter to the SD Card

If your SD card doesn’t have a unique drive letter, your Windows PC may be unable to access it. Although Windows usually assigns these drive letters to new devices automatically, it may not always work as expected. Changing the drive letter can help Windows recognize the SD card.

Step 1. Press Win + X to open the WinX menu and select Disk Management from the list.

Step 2. In the following window, right-click your SD card and select Change Drive Letter and Path….

Step 3. Select the card and click the Change button.

Step 4. In the pop-up window, select a drive letter from the drop-down menu next to the Assign the following drive letter: section.

Step 5. Click OK to save the change.

Solution 2. Format the SD Card

Formatting the unreadable SD card will not only resolve the SD card cannot read issue but also make the storage device usable again. 

Formatting an external hard drive in File Explorer is straightforward:

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer, right-click on the SD card, and select Format.
2. Then, define the necessary settings, such as file system and allocation unit size, check the Quick Format option, and click Start.

Also, you can employ MiniTool Partition Wizard to format your SD card with ease. The Format Partition feature in this partition management tool is free to use.

MiniTool Partition Wizard FreeClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Solution 3. Reinstall/Update the Driver

Most SD card issues stem from SD card readers and their drivers, not the cards themselves. If the problem still exists after checking the card reader with the basic troubleshooting steps, try updating or reinstalling the drivers.

To update/reinstall the driver, press Win + X, select Device Manager, and expand the Disk drivers category. Then, right-click on the SD card driver. Choose the corresponding selection to upgrade or uninstall the driver according to your demand.

• To update the SD card driver: Choose Update driver from the right-click menu and select Search automatically for drivers. Then, follow the instructions to complete the update.
• To uninstall the SD card driver: Opt for the Uninstall device selection and click Uninstall again to confirm. Afterward, reconnect the SD card to your computer to reinstall the driver automatically.

Solution 4. Run CHKDSK to Repair Corrupted or Unreadable SD card

CHKDSK is a handy command-line tool that repairs file system errors, making a corrupted SD card usable again. It may seem daunting, but repairing an SD card is as simple as entering one command. Here’s the way:

1. Ensure that the SD card is connected to your computer. 
2. Click on the search icon or enter text in the search box, then type CMD.
3. The best match should be Command Prompt; you must right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
4. Enter “chkdsk /f /x *:” in the Command Prompt and hit Enter, replacing * with the SD card’s drive letter. You can also execute “chkdsk /f /r *:” or “chkdsk /f *:” or other parameter combinations to repair errors on the SD card.

How to Fix Cannot Read SD Card on Phones/Cameras

Now, I will walk you through the methods to fix the SD card not reading by phones/cameras issue.

Option 1. Remount the SD Card

If your Android device or camera isn’t detecting the SD card, try this:

1. Power off your device.
2. Remove your SD card.
3. Check for dust or debris.
4. Reinsert the card carefully and turn your device back on.

Option 2. Clean the SD Card Slot and Inspect the SD Card

Check if your memory card or camera’s SD card slot is faulty by testing the card in other devices or connecting it to your computer. If it’s not detected, the issue could be the SD card slot or an incompatible file system.

If your phone is often in your pocket or bag, dirt may clog the SD card slot. Cleaning it with compressed air can help; use short bursts for the best results.

Option 3. Perform a Factory Reset/Update the Firmware

If your SD card cannot be read, it might be due to a software error. Consider performing a factory reset if you’re okay with erasing your data.

Check for firmware updates for your camera on the manufacturer’s website, as outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues. After updating, restart your camera to see if the card is readable.

Option 4. Format Camera/Phone SD Card

If the cannot read the SD card issue still exists, format the SD card in your camera or phone may fix it. Here’s the way:

>> On an Android phone

1. Open Settings on your desktop.
2. Tap the Storage section.
3. Tap SD Card.
4. Select Menu.
5. Select Storage Settings.
6. Select Format.
7. Select Format again to confirm the action.

>> On a camera

1. Open the camera’s menu.
2. Find and click the Format option.
3. Confirm the selection when prompted

Option 5. Go to a Professional Data Recovery Center

Software issues can usually be resolved by yourself, but hardware problems, like a damaged SD card, camera, or phone, require a professional data recovery center. These centers can help you recover data from damaged SD cards and flash memory chips in smartphones or cameras.

Closing Words

Several easy and efficient solutions to “SD card cannot be read” are outlined above. You can try them out to restore your SD card to normal use. It’s important to highlight that before conducting actions that could result in file loss, you should first use MiniTool Power Data Recovery to recover your data to prevent permanent loss.

If you face any issues with MiniTool software or have any inquiries regarding it, don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] for assistance.