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24 February 2026  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
Last update by Olivia Brown at 24 February 2026

Summary
This article outlines structured methods to recover data cfexpress card content using software-based recovery, open‑source tools, and professional services. It explains how different failure scenarios affect recoverability and compares available recovery approaches. The guide also includes workflow considerations, technical factors, and prevention practices relevant to CFexpress media.



Table of contents

table icon1. Critical First Step: Discontinue Card Use at Once
table icon2. Primary Software Solution for CFexpress Recovery
table icon3. Alternative Tools & Free/Open‑Source Options
table icon4. When to Use Professional Services
table iconComparison Summary
table iconFAQ: CFexpress Recovery Questions

1. Critical First Step: Discontinue Card Use at Once

Stop recording, copying, or importing to the same CFexpress card.
Do not format again (even if the camera or computer suggests it).

format disk
camera say need format sd card
Avoid “repair disk” prompts until you’ve tried recovery or made a sector-by-sector image, because repairs can rewrite metadata.

scan and repair drive in Windows
CFexpress cards are fast and reliable, but when something goes wrong it can feel sudden and confusing—especially when you need footage or RAW photos back quickly and the card now appears blank, “unformatted,” or unreadable. Many real-world issues start with a simple mistake (like deleting clips in-camera) and escalate when the card is reused, reformatted again, or repeatedly reinserted while troubleshooting. The goal in this section is to help you stabilize the situation and avoid accidental overwriting—because the first few minutes often decide what can be recovered.

Common CFexpress data-loss scenarios

  • Accidental deletion in-camera or on a computer (including “cut” operations).
  • Quick format (often done in-camera to “fix” a prompt).
  • File system corruption (card mounts but folders are missing, or shows as empty).
  • Overheating or power loss during recording (especially with high-bitrate video).
  • Improper ejection (removing the card while writing/reading).
  • Card not recognized (reader/cable/port issues, or deeper card/controller problems).

Beginner-friendly checks (safe diagnostics)

Try these quick checks without writing new data to the card:
Use a different reader
Try a reliable CFexpress reader that matches your card type (Type A or Type B). Make sure the reader is fully compatible with major brands such as ProGrade Digital, Angelbird, Sony, SanDisk/Western Digital, Lexar, and Exascend.
CFexpress Type A and Type B cards aren’t cross‑compatible, and most readers only support one format. Their physical dimensions are completely different, so a Type A card can’t be inserted or used in a Type B reader, and vice versa.

Only a few dual‑slot models on the market support both types, and they do so with two separate slots rather than a shared one.

Try a different USB port/cable
USB-C hubs can be a bottleneck or unstable.
Try a different computer to rule out driver or power issues.

What types of data can typically be recovered

Recovery often works well for common camera media files, especially when the card hasn’t been heavily reused after loss:
  • RAW photos (varies by camera: CR3/NEF/ARW, etc.)
  • Professional video containers like MXF
  • High-bitrate camera formats such as XAVC
  • RED footage (R3D)
  • JPEG/HEIF and standard media exports
What to expect: if the card is still detectable and you stop using it quickly, there’s a solid chance of recovering at least some files—though file names/folder structure may not always be fully preserved, especially after formatting or corruption.

2. Primary Software Solution for CFexpress Recovery

For most people, the most effective DIY approach to recover data cfexpress card content is using professional recovery software. These tools scan the card (or, better, an image of the card) to locate deleted entries, rebuild file tables, and/or perform signature-based recovery for photos and video. Compared with manual fixes, software recovery is typically the first recommended step because it’s non-destructive when done correctly and doesn’t require advanced hardware skills.
Why software-based recovery is usually step one (before advanced methods):
  • It can work even when the card mounts but appears empty or asks to be formatted.
  • It helps you preview and selectively recover files (depending on the tool and file type).
  • It’s safer when you first create a byte-by-byte image and scan that image instead of the original card.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

2.1 Recovering CFexpress Data with Renee Undeleter

Renee Undeleter is positioned here as the primary recommended tool for CFexpress recovery because it’s designed for practical, guided recovery workflows and is suitable for common scenarios like deleted files, quick formats, and a readable but corrupted card.

What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is designed to restore system data files. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted files, emptied the recycle bin, or formatted a disk, this tool can retrieve lost data. It includes four functional modules: Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and Image Creation, addressing all data loss issues comprehensively.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

How to recover CFexpress (and SD card) data with a byte-by-byte backup

CFexpress media—like SD—can become unreadable at any time after corruption. Before attempting restoration, creating a byte-by-byte backup image is strongly recommended so you can scan the image instead of stressing the card.
Tips: Ensure a free partition equal in size to the target disk for storing the backup image.

Step 1: Download, install and run Renee Undeleter.
Note: Do not install on the disk that needs to restore data, so as not to cause data overwriting.

Step 2: Connect the CFexpress card to the computer through a compatible card reader.
If your media/adapter includes any write-protect mechanism, enable it to reduce the chance of overwriting recoverable data.
CFexpress Card reader
Step 3: (Optional but recommended for unstable/corrupted cards) Select the (Image Creation) option on the main interface. If you want to scan the card directly, please pass this step.
Create image in Renee Undeleter
Select the Hard drive (Disk) in drive list, set up the location to save the image and click “Create”.
Select disk drive in Image Creation
Step 4: Select the (Whole Partition Scan) option on the main interface.
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter to recover deleted video from sd card
Data Recovery Function
Fast Partition Scan – Retrieve files lost due to accidental deletion or emptying the recycle bin.
Whole Partition Scan – Recover files from inaccessible or formatted partitions.
Whole Disk Scan – Analyze partition information and perform a full partition scan.
Image Creation – Create image to back up the current partition state.
Step 5: Click “Load Image” to load the card image you created in Step 3.
load image of Whole Partition Scan
Or you may Select the card partition and click (Next) instead if you do not create a image.
Renee Undeleter Whole Partition Scan
Step 6: Wait for the scan, which will depend on the card’s memory size. During the scan, you can double-click to preview files. If you find the file you need, check it and click the Recover button to terminate the scan and start recovery. Alternatively, wait for the scan to end, check the files to recover, and then click the Recover button.
preview deleted mkv video file
preview and select the files to recover in renee undeleter
Note: It is recommended to save the recovered files in other partitions instead of the original card to avoid data overwriting.
recover the whole disk data
After you’ve tried a professional software workflow, it’s useful to know what free/open-source tools can (and can’t) do—especially if your priority is recovering specific photos versus long, high-bitrate video clips.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

3. Alternative Tools & Free/Open‑Source Options

If you prefer free options or need an additional method to cross-check results, open-source recovery tools can help you recover data cfexpress card content in some cases. These tools are often powerful but less guided: they may require more technical steps, may not preserve original folder structures, and may be weaker for certain professional video workflows (especially when fragmentation is involved).

3.1 Recover CFexpress Card Data with TestDisk/PhotoRec (Free & Open‑Source)

Free tools like TestDisk and PhotoRec are widely used when people want a no-cost path to recover data cfexpress card files, especially after accidental deletion or when the file system is corrupted.
QPhotoRec
set output folder for photorec
Advantages:
  • Free and widely available
  • Can recover files even when the file system is badly damaged
  • Useful as a secondary method to cross-check results

Disadvantages:

  • Interface and workflow can be technical
  • Often loses original filenames/folder structure
  • Video recovery may be incomplete for fragmented clips
  • Limited preview and filtering compared with guided recovery suites

Once you’ve tried software-based recovery, the next question is what to do when the CFexpress failure is more complex—like the card appearing empty, showing as RAW, or not being recognized at all.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

4. When to Use Professional Services

Professional labs are most appropriate when you can’t get a stable device connection or when the failure is likely beyond file-system damage. For CFexpress, that often includes:
  • Physical damage (bent pins in reader slot contacts, cracked casing, water exposure)
  • Controller failure (card not recognized consistently or at all)
  • Severe corruption where repeated read attempts cause disconnects
  • Cases where data may have been wiped by SSD-like behavior (e.g., TRIM-related scenarios) after certain operations
fix damaged cards in clean room

What to compare when choosing a lab

  • Cost range: request a written estimate and ask what it includes (diagnostics, return media, shipping).
  • Citation sources will be required for published pricing ranges.
  • Turnaround time: standard vs expedited tiers.
  • Cleanroom / advanced capability: ask whether they handle controller-level failures and what equipment they use.
  • Policies: look for clear “no data, no fee” (or equivalent) terms and privacy handling.
Before looking at actual pricing and turnaround expectations, it helps to understand how these factors typically play out across professional recovery providers. Once you know what to evaluate—cost transparency, service policies, cleanroom capabilities, and diagnostic quality—you can make better sense of the typical fees and timelines offered by different labs. The next section breaks down these common ranges so you have a clearer benchmark when comparing service quotes.

Typical Pricing and Turnaround Time

Region Typical Price Range (local currency / ~USD) Standard Turnaround Rush / Emergency Turnaround Notes & Example Providers

United States

$200 – $1,000+ (simple logical: $200–500; physical/chip-off: $600–1,400)

3–7 business days

24–48 hours (+$50–200 fee)

Flat-rate camera-card options common. Blizzard Data Recovery: $375 (small) to $775 (512 GB). FlashFixers: $95–$800+. Platinum Data Recovery & DriveSavers specialize in CFexpress.

Europe (EU/UK)

€199 – €800+ (~$220–$880) (software: from €199; hardware: from €299)

5–10 business days

24–48 hours (surcharge)

DataHelp.eu (Czech Republic, ships EU-wide): clear tiers. UK labs like Data Clinic or Ontrack run £150–£650. Pickup often free in many countries.

Japan

¥22,000 – ¥150,000+ (~$145–$1,000+) (logical: ¥22k–¥50k; severe physical: ¥55k–¥220k)

2–7 business days

1 business day (+¥24k express fee)

Shibuya Data: ¥24k logical / ¥48k physical + ¥13k diagnosis. Kumanan PC Net and A1 Data (Japan’s biggest) quote by capacity and severity. Fast domestic shipping.

Taiwan

NT$1,000 – NT$30,000 (~$30–$940) (memory cards often NT$1k–$6k; heavy physical higher)

1–3 business days

Same-day or next-day possible

East Jin / 東進 and Gianthang quote low for flash cards. Many shops cap simple CFexpress jobs at NT$3k–15k. Very competitive local pricing.

Mainland China

¥800 – ¥5,000+ (~$110–$700) (simple: ¥800–2k; physical: ¥2k–5k+)

1–5 business days

24 hours common in big cities

Lenovo service centers and specialist labs (Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou) list flash recovery from ¥1,200. Professional outfits like CNDR handle CFexpress routinely at lower labor costs.

Quick Tips Before Sending Your Card

  • Get a free quote first — ship the card (use tracked, insured mail) and most labs will diagnose in 1–2 days with no obligation.
  • Rush jobs cost extra everywhere but are widely available for photographers/videographers on tight deadlines.
  • Success rates for CFexpress are high (85–95% at good labs) when the NAND chips aren’t totally fried.
  • Always ask if they have actual CFexpress experience — not every shop does, since these cards are newer and faster than regular SD/CF.
Advantages:
  • Highest success rate for hardware-level failures
  • Can recover data even when the card is not recognized by any device
  • Professionals can rebuild complex video formats and fragmented footage

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than DIY software
  • Turnaround time may take several days
  • Requires shipping the card, which adds time and cost

Comparison Summary

Below is a structured comparison of the main ways to recover data cfexpress card files. This helps you choose based on difficulty, risk, and how important it is to preserve original structure and large video clips.
Method Difficulty Cost Success likelihood Supported file types Risk level

Professional recovery software (DIY)

Low–Medium

Paid

Medium–High

Often broad: photos + many video types

Low (if recovering to another drive and avoiding overwrites)

Open-source tools (DIY)

Medium–High

Free

Low–Medium

Often strong for common signatures; structure may be lost

Medium (more manual steps; easier to make mistakes)

Professional recovery lab

High

High

Medium–High

Best chance for hardware/controller issues

Lowest for the user; best for non-detected cards

Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

FAQ: CFexpress Recovery Questions

Can I recover 8K RAW video or long clips if the CFexpress card is fragmented?

Sometimes, but it depends on how the camera wrote the file and what happened afterward. Long, high-bitrate clips may be saved in chunks or become fragmented as the card fills. Signature-based recovery (common in many tools) may recover partial segments or lose the correct order. Your best odds come from imaging the card first, then using recovery software that can handle large files and provides previews where possible.

Why does my CFexpress card show up as “RAW” in Disk Management/Disk Utility?

“RAW” usually means the system can see the device but can’t interpret the file system structures. This commonly happens after corruption, interrupted writes, or incompatible formatting. In many RAW-partition cases, recovery tools can still scan the device (or an image of it) to find media files.

My CFexpress card keeps getting corrupted—what can I do to prevent it after recovery?

Repeated corruption is often caused by workflow issues (improper ejection, power loss during writes), overheating, failing readers/cables, or a card that’s beginning to fail. After recovery, consider: using a reputable reader, avoiding hubs during heavy transfers, safely ejecting every time, keeping firmware/OS updated, and retiring cards that repeatedly error even after a full, verified reformat.

What’s the difference between CFexpress Type A and Type B for recovery?

Recovery concepts are similar, but hardware compatibility is not. A Type A card requires a Type A-compatible reader/slot; Type B requires Type B. If the wrong reader is used (or a low-quality one), the card may appear not recognized—making recovery impossible until the correct hardware is used.

Will recovery still work if TRIM (or TRIM-like behavior) occurred on CFexpress?

It depends on whether TRIM-like commands were issued by the host device and honored by the card controller—and whether the underlying blocks were actually cleared. In scenarios where data blocks have been cleared, software recovery may return fewer results or none for affected regions. Because behavior varies by device and implementation, it’s best to assume outcomes are uncertain and focus on stopping use immediately and attempting recovery from an image if the card is still readable.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 11,10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8+.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

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