Forum Discussion
Is it possible to recover files from corrupted sd card?
Has anyone encountered a similar situation? My SD card suddenly became unreadable. After inserting it into a Windows 11 computer, it prompted "needs to be formatted before use", but there are many important photos, videos in it, and I dare not format it at all đ.
I checked it with the chkdsk command, and it reported an error "The type of the file system is RAW." It seems that the file system is damaged. I also tried to check the disk with diskpart and found that the partition of the SD card was displayed in RAW format and was completely inaccessible.
Now the question is, is there any way to recover these files on Windows 11? Has anyone successfully recovered files from corrupted SD card on Windows 11?
I know that formatting and then restoring may reduce the success rate. I wonder if there is a better way? If there is a reliable command line method or Windows built-in tool, can you share it? I really don't want to give up these files.
7 Replies
Before you recovering files from corrupted sd card, if you realize your SD card is corrupted, stop using it immediately! I made the mistake of trying to save new files on it, thinking that might "fix" things. Spoiler alert: it didnât. Instead, it made recovery way harder. Just take it out and donât touch it until youâre ready to recover files.
Youâll need some solid software to help you get your files back. Iâve tried a few programs, finally I recovered all my files with this tool, thank goodness.
Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/recover-files-from-corrupted-sd-card
Highly recommend you try it!
A good first step is to use the built-in repair tool (chkdsk) to repair a corrupted SD card. You can also use a SD data recovery software to recover files from a corrupted SD card.
SD data recovery software is a specialized tool designed to recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from SD cards. These programs scan the storage media, locate recoverable data, and restore it to a safe location. They are particularly useful when built-in repair tools fail or when the SD card is severely corrupted.
Unlike built-in repair tools, data recovery software can often recover files even when the SD card is severely corrupted or unreadable. These tools can recover a wide range of file types, including photos, videos, documents, and audio files. In addition, most data recovery software operates in a read-only mode, meaning it doesn't modify the original data on the SD card. This will reduce the risk of further damage.
Also, many recovery tools offer intuitive interfaces, making it easy for non-technical users to recover files. And These tools use deep scanning techniques to locate fragmented or partially overwritten files, increasing the chances of successful recovery.
Before you recovering files from corrupted sd card, if you realize your SD card is corrupted, stop using it immediately! I made the mistake of trying to save new files on it, thinking that might "fix" things. Spoiler alert: it didnât. Instead, it made recovery way harder. Just take it out and donât touch it until youâre ready to recover files.
Youâll need some solid software to help you get your files back. Iâve tried a few programs, finally I recovered all my files with this tool, thank goodness.
Source: https://www.sandeski.com/recover-files-from-corrupted-sd-card
Highly recommend you try it!
I also encountered an SD card that suddenly crashed before. When I inserted it into Windows 11, it directly prompted "File system is damaged and needs to be formatted". I couldn't open it at all, and I was so anxious. Later, I tried the open source tool TesDisk. Unexpectedly, it really successfully recovered files from corrupted SD card and saved most of the data!
- Install TesDisk first: No need to install, just go to the official website to download TesDisk, unzip it and open testdisk_win.exe.
- Open the command line and run: TesDisk
- Select the SD card drive letter, usually /dev/sdX or something like that (don't choose the wrong hard drive).
- Select "Analyze" to let it scan the lost partition. If the SD card becomes RAW, you can see the previous FAT32 or exFAT partition here.
- Select "Quick Search" to let it repair quickly. If the partition cannot be found, use "Deeper Search" to scan for a longer time.
- After finding the partition, select "Write" to save the changes, then restart Windows and see if the SD card can be read normally!
If your SD card becomes RAW, or the file system becomes Unknown after being inserted into Windows 11, TesDisk is one of the most reliable methods that can truly recover photos from corrupted SD card, more effective than chkdsk. If your SD card can still be recognized but cannot be read, it is highly recommended to try it, it may still be salvaged!
PhotioRec is a powerful, open-source data recovery tool that can recover files from corrupted or damaged SD cards. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recover files from corrupted SD card:
Step 1: Insert the corrupted SD card into your computer using a card reader. Ensure the SD card is detected by your system (even if it shows as unreadable or corrupted).
Step 2: PhotioRec will display a list of drives. Use the arrow keys to select your SD card and press Enter. If youâre unsure which drive is your SD card, check the size of the drive to identify it.
Step 3: PhotioRec will ask you to select a partition. If your SD card has only one partition, select it and press Enter. If the partition table is corrupted, it might show the entire drive as a single partition. Select it and proceed.
Step 4: Press Enter to confirm file types to recover. By default, PhotioRec recovers all file types. You can deselect unnecessary types to speed up the process.
Step 5: It will ask where to save the recovered files. Select a folder on your computerâs hard drive (not the SD card) to avoid overwriting data. Use the arrow keys to navigate and press C to confirm.
Step 6: PhotioRec will begin scanning the SD card. This process can take time, depending on the size of the card and the extent of corruption. Recovered files will be saved in the folder you selected. PhotioRec organizes them into folders based on file type.
Tips for Better Results
- Stop Using the SD Card: Avoid writing new data to the card to prevent overwriting lost files.
- Use a Reliable Card Reader: A faulty card reader can cause issues during recovery.
- Recover to a Different Drive: Always save recovered files to a different drive to avoid overwriting data on the SD card.
SD cards, especially the cheap ones, has a large chance to get corrupted if it was used across different operating system. Luckily, it is totally possible to recover files from a corrupted SD card, depending on the extent of the damage. Here are some steps you can take to attempt recovery:
1. Stop Using the SD Card Immediately
Continuing to use the card can overwrite data, making recovery more difficult.2. Check the Card on Another Device
Insert the SD card into another device (e.g., a different camera, phone, or computer) to rule out issues with the original device.3. Use Built-in Repair Tools
Insert the SD card into your computer, open File Explorer, right-click the SD card, and select Properties > Tools > Check. This may fix minor file system errors.4. Use Data Recovery Software
If the card is still accessible but files are missing or corrupted, use data recovery software. These tools can scan the card and recover lost or corrupted files.
5. Format the Card (Last Resort)
If the card is unreadable and youâve recovered your data, you can format it to make it usable again. Be aware that formatting will erase all data.
6. Seek Professional Help
If the card is physically damaged or software methods fail, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools to recover data from severely damaged cards.If the data is critical, avoid DIY methods and consult a professional to maximize the chances of recovery.
Don't worry! There are still ways to recover files, photos from corrupted SD card on Windows 11. I have encountered this before and tried several methods. The following two methods have the highest success rate. You can try them.
Method 1: Use CMD to run chkdsk repair (suitable for minor damage)
If the SD card is only damaged in the file system, Windows may still be able to repair it.- Insert the SD card and remember its drive letter (such as E:).
- Open the command prompt (administrator privileges) and enter:
chkdsk E: /f /r /x
Wait for repair. If the SD card is recoverable, it may be accessed normally after execution!â Suitable for SD card with minor damage, such as suddenly unable to read but still with drive letter displayed.
â If the SD is converted to RAW format, it may not work.
Method 2: Use Windows File Recovery (suitable for RAW format) that comes with Windows 11
If chkdsk is useless and the SD becomes a RAW file system, you can only scan and try to recover the files directly.Open the command prompt (administrator privileges) and run:
winfr E: C:\RecoveredFiles /extensive
E: is the SD card drive letter, and C:\RecoveredFiles is the save path for the recovered files.- The extensive mode is suitable for severely damaged SD cards, and the scanning time will be longer.
- Wait for the recovery to complete, and then go to C:\RecoveredFiles to find the files!
â Suitable for severely damaged SD cards, even RAW format, and can also recover accidentally deleted files.
â 100% recovery success is not guaranteed, but it is safer than direct formatting.
If your SD card can still be recognized by Windows 11 but cannot be opened, try chkdsk first; if it becomes completely RAW, use Windows File Recovery to recover files from corrupted SD card. Don't rush to format it, there is still a chance to save the files!
