Read this article to learn how to fix a memory card and recover data from such card (regardless of the card model and manufacturer), and find out why memory cards may break down. Do the loss of photos or a failure of the memory card containing important pictures feel like an irreparable problem? Have you already had the bitter experience of losing important data because a SD memory card was damaged? In this article, we will be looking for solutions to such disastrous situations, and we will show you how to fix a memory card and recover its data – and it doesn’t matter why exactly that little card broke down.
As well as any other device, a memory card can suffer from various influences and so it may break down for a number of reasons. In this article, we’ll consider possible causes of damage to memory cards and give a couple of hints at recovering their data.
What is a Memory Card?
An SD memory card (abbreviated from Secure Digital Memory Card) is a tiny mass storage device meant for repeated writing, storage and reading various digital information. Memory cards are mostly used with portable electronic devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, electronic books, GPS navigators, some kinds of games consoles etc.
The card has standard dimensions of 24×32×2.1 mm which gives enough space to place its own controller and memory chips in charge of writing and storing user data; the chips use the principles of flash memory based on special programmable semiconductor technology.
As the cards developed, the amount of their built-in memory increased and for today, it can be anything up to 128 TB. Memory cards vary by the speed of data processing, which is shown by digital symbols on them. The unified standard classification of speed specifications approved for memory cards is known as Speed Class and represents the speed of writing data to the card.
SD memory cards use the FAT file system: for volumes up to 2 GB inclusive – FAT16, from 2 to 32 GB inclusive – FAT32, and over 32 GB – the exFAT file system. However, any card can be formatted into a different file system at the user’s choice, for example, NTFS. Yet it is not recommended to use this particular system because of memory cards having a limited number of write cycles, and the journaling file system like NTFS constantly checks the card and keeps the card change log which can increase the memory wear process. In the end, this circumstance can reduce its expected lifetime.
Symptoms of a Damaged SD Memory Card
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When certain warning signs appear, you can understand that the memory card is damaged and needs repairing or fixing. Quite often, it’s only the dire fact you have to face. However, as soon as you spot the alarming signal, you can stop using the card immediately to prevent any further loss of data or to avoid the mistake of saving data without a single chance to access it later. Such warnings include as follows:
- Data (for example, photos, videos and so on) stored on the memory card can’t be opened, is shown only partially or with an error warning, or can’t be read at all.
- The device using the memory card shows warning messages that it can’t write anything to the card.
- When the operating system addresses the memory card, there is a warning that it should be formatted to enable further use.
- Operating system warnings about read errors or sudden freezing of the computer when the memory card is connected.
Any of these symptoms indicates a problem with the SD memory card that you should pay attention to. Any signs indicating that chances for possible damage to the memory card are very high should make you respond to the problem at once and start thinking about saving the data to a safer place or transferring it to a properly working data storage device. To avoid loss of data stored on an SD memory card you should make it a rule to save it regularly to another storage device to prevent unexpected losses. The ideal variant would be to transfer your files to another data storage device immediately after you created them.
Another important element of data protection strategy should be creating a backup of important information (photos, videos etc) to feel secure in case of an emergency.
If your camera design provides several slots for memory cards, you can avoid damage to photos by saving your raw pictures to both cards at the same time. Even if one card were damaged, all images would be fine on the other card which will save you lots of time and effort.
If you use a memory card with your smartphone, most devices can backup contacts, photos and video to a cloud storage; in case of any problems, just log in to your cloud to find all your data safe and sound.
Possible Causes of Damage for an SD Memory Card
One of the main elements of everyday flow of data that users exchange when communicating is represented by images and photographs. Any pleasant memories, funny pictures, photos of your close family members and friends, professional photographs of working moments and many other fields are only the few instances where we come across images. If the memory card breaks down at a certain moment and the data stored there is gone, there is even a risk of panic – especially if this information existed in one copy only. However, if you know possible causes that can trigger memory card errors, you can get prepared for the worst scenario and secure your data, or use specific recovery methods.
All possible causes can be generally divided into two categories – mechanical damage and software errors.
Mechanical Damage to an SD Memory Card
Mechanical damage can include a variety of cases, but we listed the most widespread ones below:
Broken case, malfunctioning lock switch, or damaged contacts: This kind of damage strikes SD memory cards most often as the card case is fragile enough to get broken when some force is applied to it. For example, there can be cracks and splits on the card case, the lock switch no longer works properly, connector contacts get worn out and so on, which results in the card still being unreadable even when it is already connected.
Failure of the memory card controller: The card interface controller manages all processes inside the card, and when it breaks down, the card cannot be read or recognized by your device; even if the system does recognize it, the card is shown as a storage of several kilobytes.
Limited write resource of the memory cells: Technical peculiarities of a flash memory device cause certain irreversible changes in its structure, and it results in flash memory cells having a limited number of write cycles. The write resource differs depending on the memory type and the technological solutions implemented in a specific device. When the write cycle limit is getting closer, memory begins to degrade, and this process can manifest itself in memory cards becoming unreadable or inaccessible.
The SD card slot of your device or card reader is out of order: Such cases are quite rare but they do happen. Your memory card may be in good condition, but the memory card slot in your device might be causing problems. Connect the card to another device which you know is in perfect working condition, and check if the card works all right. In some cases, this is the only operation you need to make sure the memory card is not the element actually causing the problem.
Software Issues
In addition to the mechanical factors that may damage SD memory cards, there can be other issues as well:
SD card file allocation error: File system errors make it impossible to use the SD card, and the operating system tells you the card should be formatted. Such kind of damage to the card can be fixed by restoring from backups, and with system-integrated tools for checking and repairing disks. In the recovery part below, we’ll tell you how to restore your data if you encountered this problem.
Operating system errors: In some cases, internal processes of managing the computer device may lead to errors which affect the reliability of a memory card and can render it unreadable.
Incompatible file system: Interaction between the (frankly speaking) outdated file system of an SD memory card and some modern applications which may not be fully compatible can result in errors and subsequent damage to the memory card.
Early interruption of the data transfer process: If the process of copying or cutting files from a memory card to a computer gets interrupted (for example, by a power failure, forced extraction of the memory card etc.), there are high chances that the SD card will be damaged.
Unsafe removal of the SD card: When you ignore the safe way of removing an SD memory card from a computer or another device, there is an increasing risk of damaging the data and the SD card itself.
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