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Data loss is a nightmare for anyone who has lost precious data they had stored on their SD card. Losing data due to corrupted SD cards is a common occurrence these days. It can happen due to multiple reasons like virus infections, power outages during data transfer, etc. Whatever may be the cause, losing important data can be frustrating and can lead to serious consequences. Fortunately, there are ways to recover data from a corrupted SD card. In this blog, we will discuss four effective methods to recover data from a corrupted SD card.
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What’s Needed
To recover data from a corrupted SD card, you will require;
– A computer or a laptop.
– A card reader to connect your SD card to the computer.
– A reliable data recovery software.
What Requires Your Focus?
The most important thing to remember when dealing with a corrupted SD card is to act fast. The more you use your SD card, the lower the chances of data recovery. It is recommended to stop using the SD card as soon as you discover that it’s corrupted. The next important step is to avoid formatting the SD card. As formatting the card can cause irreparable damage and make data recovery impossible.
Different Methods to Recover Data from Corrupted SD Card
Method 1: Using Data Recovery Software
Before we discuss the steps required to use data recovery software, Let’s take a closer look at this method’s pros and cons.
Pros:
- Efficient and effective at recovering lost data from SD cards.
- All the lost data can be completely recovered without any damage or modification.
- Data recovery software is easy to use, and you don’t need any technical knowledge.
Cons:
- You need to have a reliable data recovery software to ensure your data is safely recovered.
- Data recovery using software can be a time-consuming process.
- If the SD card is severely damaged, the recovery rate may not be 100%.
Steps to recover data using data recovery software:
1. Connect your corrupted SD card to your computer using a card reader.
2. Download and install your chosen data recovery software.
3. Run the software and select your SD card from the list of drives available.
4. Choose the files that you want to recover or click on the "Select All" option to recover all lost files.
5. Click the "Recover" button to begin the recovery process.
6. Once the recovery process is complete, select the destination folder to save your recovered data.
Method 2: Using CHKDSK Command Prompt
Here are some pros and cons associated with the CHKDSK Command Prompt method.
Pros:
- It’s an inbuilt feature on all Windows operating systems, and it’s free.
- CHKDSK can fix various kinds of file system errors and bad sectors.
- The command prompt process is fast compared to other recovery processes.
Cons:
- If the SD card is severely damaged, CHKDSK may not be able to recover your data.
- There is a risk of data loss when using the CHKDSK command because it can cause further data corruption.
- The success rate of CHKDSK depends on the severity of the SD card damage.
Steps to use CHKDSK Command Prompt:
1. Connect the corrupted SD card to your computer using a card reader.
2. Press the Windows + R key and type "cmd" in the Run dialog box to open the Command Prompt.
3. Type "chkdsk [drive letter]: /f" (for example, "chkdsk E: /f").
4. Press Enter to execute the command.
5. The CHKDSK utility will scan the SD card for errors and fix them if found.
6. Once the process is complete, check the SD card for recovered data.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Data Recovery Service
The use of third-party data recovery services is a reliable option when it comes to severe SD card damage. Third-party data recovery services have professionals who are well equipped to handle the recovery of data from severely damaged SD cards.
Pros:
- Experts handle the recovery process, so there is a higher success rate.
- They can recover data from damaged SD cards that are not recoverable at home.
- The recovery rate is high because of the professional tools and software they use.
Cons:
- The recovery process is more expensive than DIY recovery methods.
- You need to research and choose a reputable data recovery service to avoid scams and frauds.
Steps to use a third-party data recovery service:
1. Search for and choose a reliable data recovery service.
2. Contact the service and provide details about your corrupted SD card and data lost.
3. The data recovery service will provide you with a quote and instructions on how to send the corrupted SD card to them.
4. Once they receive your SD card, they will perform the recovery process and provide online previews of recoverable data.
5. You can pay the service and download the recovered data.
Method 4: Using SD Card Repair Software
Using SD card Repair software is useful when the SD card’s file system is damaged, making it inaccessible. This software is designed to format your SD card to repair the file system, and it may recover some of your lost data.
Pros:
- It’s an effective way to repair file system errors in damaged SD cards.
- The software can recover some lost data while repairing the SD card’s file system.
- It’s a cheaper option when compared to third-party data recovery services.
Cons:
- There is a risk of data loss because the software formats the SD card.
- Sometimes the SD card may not be repairable, and the repair software may also fail to recover your data.
Steps to use SD Card Repair Software:
1. Download and install your chosen SD card Repair software.
2. Open the software and select the corrupted SD card.
3. Select the quick format option to repair the file system errors.
4. Once the repair process is complete, check the SD card for recovered data.
Why Can’t I Recover Data from my Corrupted SD Card?
1. Hardware Damage- If your SD card is physically damaged, you may not recover your data.
2. Overwriting Data- If you add more data or copy new data to your SD card after the corruption, the overwriting may cause permanent data loss.
3. Corrupted File System- In some cases, the SD card’s file system may be too damaged to recover data.
4. No Reliable Recovery Software- Using untrustworthy software can erase data instead of recovering it.
Fixes:
1. Regularly backup your important data and avoid using SD cards to store sensitive information.
2. Stop using the SD card immediately as soon as you notice it’s corrupted.
3. Use only reliable and recommended data recovery software to recover your data.
4. Avoid formatting your SD card when it’s corrupted.
Implications and Recommendations
It’s crucial to back up important data on your SD card regularly to avoid data loss. Always use reliable recovery software recommended by experts. Never format your SD card when it’s corrupted, and if all else fails, consider using professional data recovery services.
5 FAQs about Recovering Data from Corrupted SD Card
Q1: Can I recover data from a physically damaged SD card?
A: No, physical damage to an SD card is irreparable. However, you can hire expert services to try and recover the data.
Q2: How long does it take to recover data from a corrupted SD card using recovery software?
A: The recovery time varies depending on the SD card’s capacity, speed, and the severity of the corruption. It can take a few minutes or a few hours.
Q3: Can I recover data from a corrupted SD card using a Mac operating system?
A: Yes, there are recovery software tools available that work with Mac OS.
Q4: Does using CHKDSK to recover corrupted SD card data erase the files on it?
A: No, CHKDSK doesn’t erase the files on the SD card. It only fixes the file system errors.
Q5: Can I recover deleted photos from my corrupted SD card?
A: Yes, as long as the lost data has not been overwritten, it’s possible to recover deleted photos using data recovery software.
Conclusion
Data loss is a common occurrence for many people who use SD cards to store their important data. Thankfully, there are several methods available to recover data from a corrupted SD card, including using data recovery software, CHKDSK Command Prompt, third-party data recovery services, and SD card repair software. Regardless of the method chosen, it’s crucial to act fast, avoid formatting the SD card and using reliable and recommended recovery software.