SD memory cards or Secure Digital cards are popular pocket-sized data storage devices with a large memory capacity. You should be aware of them in order to understand the potential problem and avoid it in the future.
List of reasons why you won't be able to format your SD card.
- Broken sectors. This means that your memory card is corrupted due to some kind of damage that prevents Windows from formatting the SD card.
- Write protection. If you are using the same SD card on different devices, it may be write protected. In this case, the disc cannot be formatted.
- Virus damage. Viruses on devices can corrupt files and damage pluggable SD cards, making them unusable. To avoid this, make sure you are using effective antivirus software.
- System file errors. If the system files on the SD card are damaged or generate errors, then the media itself may not be available on the devices.
There are many ways to avoid these problems. You can easily format them without the need to download additional programs to your computer. Not being able to format a certain type of disk on a device will be a problem if multiple devices only use one card to share files. Below is a step-by-step look at ways to format SD cards after an error is issued.
Solution 1. Use Recoverit
Recoverit is one of the best third party recovery tools. It allows you to recover data from USB and SD removable media. It is a powerful free tool for recovering deleted files. Its functions include recycle bin recovery, hard drive recovery, as well as after a virus attack, and many other interesting options. If you find yourself in this situation, try Recoverit at least once. Its interface is clear and easy to use, even for beginners.
The following simple steps will allow you to recover files from SD cards:
Step 1: Connect the memory card to your computer and run Recover it
Insert the card into the device and run the program. To get started, select the restore external device option in the lower left corner of the home screen.
Step 2: Select memory card
Here you will be able to see all external storage devices connected to your computer. Select the one on which you want to recover files and click the "Start" button.
Step 3: Control the scanning process
The scan will now begin, after which a list of files that can be recovered will be shown. Don't miss the opportunity to find other useful files as well.
Step 4: File preview and recovery
Once the scan is complete, select the files you want to recover and preview them. If they work without error, click the restore button.
Solution 2: Format using the disk control panel
The built-in management manager in Windows computers can be used to manage the disks and partitions on your computer. It allows you to format disks, create partitions or delete them.
Steps for formatting:
Step 1: Start the disk management application
To do this, right-click on the Start menu and select the Disk Management option. You can also do this with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, and then type diskmgmt.msc in the dialog box.
Step 2: Now find the drive you want to format
Right-click on it and select the quick format option from the pop-up window.
Step 3: Now click on the OK button and your SD card will be fully formatted.
Solution 3. Formatting using the command line
Command line is another way to format your SD card when you can't do it the usual way. At first glance, this may seem difficult for new users to understand. But knowing the right command will make it much easier. Make sure you know all the required commands, as any mistake with them can lead to a lot of data loss. The Command Prompt is present in all Windows devices by default and is a very useful tool. It is useful for recovering damaged disks and repairing them.
3 steps to format SD card using command line:
Step 1: Launch Command Prompt on your computer. This can be done through a search in the Start menu.
Step 2: When the application starts and the main screen appears, wait a moment and type Diskpart, press Enter.
Step 3: Enter the following commands in the same order and press Enter after each command.
- list disk
- select disk # (the # symbol refers to the disk number label)
- list partition
- select partition # (the # character refers to the partition number label)
- format fs = ntfs quick.
Tips to Avoid SD Card Formatting Error
There are many precautions you can take to avoid this problem.
To do this, be sure to follow these tips:
- Download and install powerful antivirus software on your computer to make sure your SD card is safe.
- Back up files stored on SD cards.
- Try to have separate SD cards for different purposes so as not to overload them.
- Make sure you insert and remove SD cards from your computer correctly, and store them correctly to avoid damage.
Conclusion
Not being able to format or access the memory card can be a big problem as SD cards are used to transfer large files. There are many useful ways to format SD cards without having to download additional software. Disk management and the command line are two of the most popular ways to do this.
