author avatar
6 May 2019  Ashley S. Miller  Specialist of Customer Service Dept.
 

Summary
Many errors can occur in a damaged SD card. Of course, there are many solutions to fixing a damaged SD card. If you cannot read the important files in the SD card, this article can help you recover the SD card without formatting. By the way, it will tell you how to correctly use the SD card.



Part 1. Solutions to Non-system Issues

Sometimes, the SD card is inaccessible and unreadable. Keep clam at this moment! We should figure out what’s wrong with it. Perhaps it’s not a physical issue at all. You can solve it quickly!

The followings may be the reasons:

1. Poor contact with card slot

Many users don’t care about SD card maintenance. Yet, if there is dirt, ash or oil on the SD card contacts, it will not be recognized and read.

Solution: Check whether there is dirt or ash on the contacts. Use an eraser or use an alcohol-dipped cotton swab to slightly clean it. Use as it’s dry.

how to fix a damaged sd card without formatting it

2. Get virus infection

Now many apps are carried with virus. If you don’t download the software from some licensed websites, the SD card may get virus infection and the inside data cannot be accessed.

Solution: Use a card reader to connect the SD card to computer. Launch the anti-virus software to scan it. If these methods fail, the followings will tell you how to fix a damaged SD card without formatting it.

Part 2. Use CHKDSK to Fix Damaged SD Card

The command CHKDSK can check whether there is logical and physical error on the file system and the file system metadata, and then it will fix these errors. Though it can fix the SD card quickly, it can delete or put other data over the files if they cannot be fixed. Therefore, when you are going to fix the SD card, you should use Renee Undeleter to back up the important data.
Renee Undeleter-Powerful Data Recovery Software

Easy to useOnly simple steps.

Multiple scan modesFast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan.

Supported file typesPictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc

Image creationCreate a drive image for quick access to the partition and backup.

Supported systemsWindows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to useOnly simple steps.

Multiple scan modesFast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan.

Supported file typesPictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc

Free TrialFree TrialFree TrialWe have provided 3000 people for free trails!
How to fix a damaged SD card without formatting it?

① Download and install Renee Undeleter.

gif download and install renee undeleter
② Use the card reader to connect the SD card to the computer. Then launch Renee Undeleter and select [Whole Partition Scan].
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter
③ Select the target SD card.
select the target drive to scan in renee undeleter
④ Wait for the scan. The scanning time depends on how many contents are in the SD card.
scan and preview files to recover
⑤ Preview the scanned results.
preview and select the files to recover in renee undeleter
⑥ Select the target folder to save the files.
select the output folder for usb or sd card recovery session in renee undeleter
How to fix a damaged SD card without formatting it via CHKDSK:

① Insert the SD card into the card reader. Then connect it to computer.

② As it is connected, search [cmd]. Right-click at Command Prompt to select [Run as administrator].

enable command prompt
③ Type [chkdsk n:/f]. Replace “n” with the target drive letter of the partition, and /f is the order telling the command to fix any errors. This process takes some times, depending on how many contents need to be fixed.
chkdsk f /f to fix sd card recovery
After these above steps, the SD card can be used. In case of being damaged again, the SD card should be used carefully.

Part 3. SD Card Daily Notes

1. Don’t plug out in-use SD card

Don’t suddenly stop the accessing SD card! It will damage the unique file systems produced by different devices inside the SD card. And finally lead to storage errors.

2. Keep away from heat, water and oil

The SD card is a semi-conductor flash memory unit, part of the electronic devices. It should be kept away from heat, oil and water. Otherwise, the SD card will be easily damaged. When not using it, you can put it into a card box.

how to fix a damaged sd card without formatting it
3. Use card reader

Connecting the SD card to computer with card reader can make data transmission effective. If you want to transfer data from phones or cameras, a card reader can avoid power shortage in this process.

4. Avoid directly editing on SD card

If you want to view the photos in the SD card, you should copy them into the computer beforehand. If you directly edit files on the SD card, you may be unable to view them, or even greatly slow down the accessing speed.