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4 February 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Learn why files are deleted from SD cards and how to restore them. This article also provides a method to repair a faulty SD card.



Table of contents

table iconI. The reason why the SD card automatically deletes files
table iconII. Use Renee Undeleter to recover deleted data from SD card
table iconIII. Detailed introduction of SD card repair method
sd card deleting files by itself

I. The reason why the SD card automatically deletes files

When an SD card fails, it often automatically deletes its contents. This can be due to various reasons:
1. Mobile phone system file cleaning identifies and deletes leftover files of an application in the SD card.
2. The SD card may delete files due to exceeding its service life and malfunctioning.
3. The SD card may malfunction due to physical damage or software issues. Physical damage can occur if the card is stored in a humid or dusty area or subjected to strong shocks. Software issues can arise from a sudden power outage or improper ejection of the SD card.
4. SD cards with poor quality or manufacturing defects may malfunction and delete files automatically.
Before proceeding, confirm if the files on the SD card are hidden due to virus infection or other reasons. Modify options in the Control Panel to view hidden files.
Press the Windows icon + R key simultaneously, enter “Control Panel” in the run window, and press Enter to open the Control Panel. Click on “Appearance and Personalization”.
Appearance and Personalization
Click Show hidden files and folders. In the File Explorer, check Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then click "OK".
file explorer show hidden files folders and drives
If the files on the SD card are hidden, back them up before proceeding with other repairs. If the files cannot be found, they may have been deleted. Refer to the second part for instructions on data recovery from the SD card.

II. Use Renee Undeleter to recover deleted data from SD card

1. What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is specially designed to restore system data files. It can recover lost data when important files are accidentally deleted, the recycle bin is emptied, or the disk/storage is formatted. This software includes four functional modules: Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and image creation, providing a comprehensive solution to all data loss problems. It utilizes powerful fingerprint technology and file system reconstruction technology to bypass damaged blocks in SD cards and rebuild the file system, enabling the retrieval of intact data files. Convenient and efficient.
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2. How to recover deleted SD card data with Renee Undeleter?

Step 1: Connect the SD card to the computer using a card reader. Download, install, and open Renee Undeleter, and select (Whole Partition Scan).
Note: Do not install Renee Undeleter in the disk where data is lost to avoid data overwriting.
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter to recover deleted video from sd card
Data recovery function introduction:
Fast Partition Scan – Quickly retrieve files lost due to accidental deletion or emptying the recycle bin.
Whole Partition Scan – Quickly recover files lost due to inaccessible or formatted partitions.
Whole Disk Scan – Analyze and get partition information and perform a full scan of the entire partition.
Image Creation – You can create a mirror image for a partition to back up the current partition state.
Step 2: Select the SD card partition and click (Next).
Enter the file scanning process and wait for completion. The scan duration depends on the partition size.
Renee Undeleter Whole Partition Scan
Step 3: After scanning, choose the desired files for recovery. Click the (Recover) button and save the recovered files to a different disk. Avoid saving files to the original storage location (SD card) to prevent data overwriting.
preview and select the files to recover in renee undeleter
Rest assured, the SD card failure can be repaired after following the above steps to restore the data.

III. Detailed introduction of SD card repair method

1. Check the system file error of the SD card

You can use the file system error checking function in Windows to check and repair the SD card. Make sure the SD card is displayed in the file explorer. If not, access Disk Management to perform this operation on the SD card.
Step 1: Connect the SD card to the Windows computer through a card reader.
Step 2: Open the file explorer, right-click on the SD card, select (Properties) > (Tools), and click (Check) under Error checking.
check disk
Step 3: Click (Scan and repair drive). If errors are found, restart the computer and repair the file system.
scan and repair SD card

2. Format the SD card

To resolve various issues, format the SD card. If the PC file explorer doesn’t display the SD card, right-click the (Start) menu, go to (Disk Management), and format the SD card.
Step 1: Connect the SD card to the computer via a card reader. Copy the data of the entire SD card to other disks for data backup.
Step 2: Open File Explorer, right-click on the SD card drive, and select (Format).
sd card formatted in this pc
Step 3: In the formatting window, choose “File System” and select FAT32 for SD cards that are 32GB or smaller, or select exFAT for SD cards larger than 32GB. (Click here to learn about the characteristics and differences of each file system)
Step 4: Click (Start) to start formatting the SD card.
Format the SD card

3. Use Chkdsk to repair damaged SD card

To fix logical errors on an SD card, use the Chkdsk tool. Ensure the SD card is not physically damaged and can be recognized by the computer. Note that this method will erase data, so back up important files beforehand.
Step 1: Connect the SD card to the computer through a card reader.
Step 2: Search for (cmd) in the computer search box, right-click (command prompt), and select (Run as administrator).
run as administrator
Step 3: Enter the command chkdsk H: /f in the command prompt window. Replace “H:” with the drive letter of the SD card. Press the (Enter) key. The repair process will take time based on the damage severity and storage capacity. Exit Command Prompt after the repair is complete.
TipsIf the command fails to repair the SD card, you can try using the (chkdsk H: /r) command, which includes the (/r) repair parameter. This parameter can locate bad sectors and restore readable data. (/r) also incorporates the functionality of (/f) by analyzing physical disk errors. For additional repair methods and recommendations for daily use and maintenance of SD cards, please click here.