How to Recover Photo from Corrupt Memory Card without Formatting
Summary: Does your SD card need formatting but you don’t want to format it and lose your valuable data? So how to fix and recover data from corrupted memory card without formatting? This post shares methods to fix corrupt memory card and recover photo and video files without formatting with the help of Stellar Photo Recovery.
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‘My 64 GB SanDisk memory card asks to format when I try to open it on my laptop. It has several precious pictures of family vacations and my favorite music collection. Please tell me how to recover data from a corrupted memory card without formatting.’
‘I recorded about a 15-minute video on my DJI Pro drone memory card. When I connect it to my Windows PC, a message pops up saying that the memory card is corrupt and unreadable. The video file is important for my work. Is there a way to repair my SD card without formatting and get back lost DJI videos?’
Formatting is a logical solution to fix corrupt memory cards. However, you may not want to format your SD card for fear of permanent data loss. Thus, whenever you encounter messages, such as ‘Format the disk’, ‘Memory card error’, ‘The SD card is not formatted, do you want to format it now?’ you are worried about the data stored on it, especially if the files are precious photo and video.
Fortunately, there are methods to recover photo and video data stored on your corrupt or unreadable memory card without formatting.
Why memory card asks to format, get unreadable, or corrupt?
- Sudden power cut while transferring files to the PC
- Virus infection
- Improper insertion/removal of memory card from PC, camera, drone, etc.
- Continued use of memory card even when it is low on storage
- Using the card even when the device (camera/drone, etc.) has a low battery
- Portable device not supporting memory card
- Overused or old memory cards develop bad sectors
How to Recover Photo and Video from Memory Cards without Formatting?
There are two ways to deal with data loss situations, either,
- Recover your photo and video by using software without fixing the corrupt SD card or
- Try to fix your corrupt SD card without formatting and access its data.
Approach 1: Recover SD card by using software, without formatting
Stellar Photo Recovery software recovers photos, videos, and audio data without formatting. If your memory card asks to format, use the software to evade data loss. Unfortunately, even if you have accidentally formatted the media, the software can scan and retrieve files from it.
You can use this SD card recovery software when,
- Memory card asks to format.
- Get SD card errors such as ‘SD card is not available’ or ‘Error reading/writing to SD card’ on Android, PC, or Mac.
- Memory card is unreadable, and not detected by computer or Android phone.
- The memory card is corrupt.
- Formatted memory card on Android mobile, camera, PC, or Mac.
Stellar Photo Recovery quickly recovers thousands of videos and photos in a few minutes. The software maintains the original quality of your media files while recovering them. With up to 30% faster speed than other recovery tools in the market, Stellar Photo Recovery is quick to restore hundreds of photos and videos in a few minutes. The software supports all brands and Class of memory cards.
Want to evaluate before buying? Download the demo version here.
Step-by-step: Recover lost multimedia files from memory card without formatting:
- Launch Stellar Photo Recovery on your computer.
- Select the location to scan. Click Scan.
- Preview the found photo, video, or audio files.
Note: If you do not see the required files in the list, opt for Deep Scan option at the bottom.
- Click Recover and save the selected files at the specified location.
Watch this video to recover photos and videos from corrupted memory cards without formatting:
Approach 2: Fix the corrupt memory card without formatting and recover the data
Windows offer certain features that help to fix memory card corruption that is caused due to file system errors or faulty and outdated drivers, etc. The troubleshooting often repairs SD cards without formatting. Once the issue is fixed, you can access your memory card and recover the files without formatting.
How to fix corrupted sd card without formatting:
Below are the manual methods you can try to fix sd card without formatting.
- Perform Chkdsk
- Assign a new drive letter
- Reinstall the driver
- Try Windows Troubleshooter
Note: These methods don’t repair bad sectors in SD cards but fix only system-oriented issues.
1. Perform Chkdsk
Use this method to check and fix memory card errors without formatting. Do the following to perform a check disk on your PC:
- Go to Windows Start
- Type cmd in the Search box.
- Right-click cmd and select Run as Administrator.
- A command prompt opens, type chkdsk < memory card drive letter>:/f(e.g., chkdsk E: /f)
- Hit Enter.
Next try to access your SD card. The problem should be resolved.
2. Assign a new drive letter
Use this method when your memory card is not visible in the list of connected drives on the PC. Steps to assign a new drive letter to the memory card:
- Connect the memory card to your PC.
- Open the Run dialogue box using the Windows+R key.
- Type msc and hit Enter.
- On left, under Storage,choose Disk Management.
- On the right pane, right-click the drive to which you want to assign a letter.
- Choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- A dialog box will appear, click on
- Check-in Assign following drive letter.
- Choose the letter to assign from the drop box and click OK.
- Close the Computer Management window.
Now, reinsert your memory card, it should be detected and readable by your computer.
3. Reinstall the driver
If the above two methods don’t help, reinstall your PC drivers. This helps in case PC drivers are corrupt or outdated. To reinstall the driver, follow the below steps:
- Right click on My Computer/ This PC.
- Follow Manage >Device Manager.
- Double-click Disk Drives.
- Right-click on the name of your removable drive.
- Click
Check if you are able to access your memory card.
4. Try Windows Troubleshooter
Windows Troubleshooter fixes hardware or driver-related issues. Try the below steps to fix your memory card without formatting on your computer:
- Connect your SD card to PC.
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
- Select Hardware and Devices
- Click Run the troubleshooter.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have mentioned how to recover data from corrupted memory card without formatting. The best and most secure way to recover data from a corrupt memory card without formatting is with the help of the software — Stellar Photo Recovery. It is effective in restoring lost and deleted media files from corrupt as well as formatted memory cards.
hi i accidentally recover a memory card which is not corrupted.. is it okay to cancel it? i mean is it safe? thank u
Hi veronica, if you recover a memory card without any issue. It means it’s safe. Thanks!
Hi, Unfortunately, I had deleted desktop photo folder and I formatted my memory sticks. I download Stellar Photo Recovery and running an advance option now I recover all photos. Thank you very much!
Hi Joe, Thanks for using our software and share your valuable feedback with us!
Hi, I read your blog, therefore, it is a good idea to recover multimedia data from memory card. It’s helpful for me when I used to recover my camera footage that’s lost due to accidentally deleted. Thank you very much!
Hi Stephan, Thanks for your appreciation!
Hi, I solved my video lost problem by using your software on my memory card. I think it is the best recovery software now days. Thanks!
Hi Alla, Thanks for your words!
I tried my best by your process, finally I backup the data from my 4GB Memory Card.
Stellar recovery software recover my videos. Thank you very much!
Hi Niles, Thanks for choosing our software!
Hi sumona my sd card hasbeen currupted and didn’t recognize by computer and mob also i have tried all mathods but not working plz help me if u can
Tnx
Hi Akbar, No one helps you if your memory card didn’t recognize by computer and mobile. I suggest you can contact the manufacturer of the card. Thanks!
Hi, I had some recorded (.mov) videos files on my SD memory card. Unfortunately all files corrupt or damaged. Any help would be appreciated?
Hi John, you can try our software stellar photo recovery premium free version provides a preview of deleted or corrupt photos & videos.
Hi dear my sdcard hasbeen cerrupted and now my mob or laptop do not recognize it.i have lost a lot of data i have tried all mathods even in dos mode but invane plz help me
Tnx
Hi Akbar, No one helps you if your memory card didn’t recognize by computer and mobile. I suggest you can contact the manufacturer of the card. Thanks!
I had lost my late husband photos on Windows 10 PC. I tried to recover these photographs but unsuccessful. I used your software Stellar Photo recovery on Windows 10. It’s really helpful for me. Thankyou!
Hi Edward, Thanks for sharing your feedback with us!
Hello Curtis, Please follow the given steps:
1. Remove SD card from Camera
2. Go to the Setting – Initialize Press upper button When no pictures on screens.
3. Reset to default settings
4. Click OK
5. Then Reboot
6. Remove battery wait 1 min for chipset reset
7. Now put your memory card.
I hope it’s worked!
I had the same issue with my Sony HDR-P J240, 128& 64 GB cards not readable by camera, but by pc, I formatted by PC still not work or even recognize by camera. What should I do?
Can the software recover Virus infected Files? I have an SD card full of corrupted pictures due to some virus.
Hi Jeofry, Yes, our software able to recover virus infected corrupt photos. Please follow these steps:
1. Connect your SD card into the computer.
2. Scan your computer or SD card through Antivirus software.
3. Install Stellar Photo Recovery software.
4. Select your SD card and Run our software.
It will help you to recover your corrupted pictures.
my memory card capacity is 32 GB
when I connect the memory card on pc with card rider
and start the copy, after 10% percent he shows the error and then he does not show the video files but the property shows that the data is here.
Hi Usman, I hope your SD card is infected from a virus. Please scan your SD card through antivirus. In case, If you have the same problem, try to download our software demo version and see the preview of your deleted or lost video files.