Format a sd card that is write protected​

Formatting an SD card that is write-protected can be a challenging yet necessary task when you’re unable to modify, delete, or add files due to the card’s write protection feature being enabled. Write protection is a safety feature that prevents accidental deletion of data or modification, but it can sometimes become problematic if you want to format the card for fresh use. 

1. Write Protection on SD Cards

What is Write Protection?

Write protection is a mechanism that prevents data from being written to or modified on a storage medium. It is particularly useful when you want to prevent accidental data loss or prevent unauthorized access to the data stored on the card. On SD cards, write protection can be enforced in several ways: via a physical switch on the card itself, or through software settings in the operating system.

Common Reasons for Write Protection

Several reasons can trigger the write protection feature on an SD card. Here are some common causes:

Physical Write Protection Switch: Some SD cards, especially older ones, feature a small switch on the side of the card that can be set to “lock” or “unlock” to activate or deactivate write protection.

Corrupted File System: If the SD card’s file system is corrupted, the device or the operating system might automatically engage write protection to prevent further damage to the data.

Malware or Viruses: In some cases, malware or viruses can cause write protection to be enabled as a method to block potential data modifications or to avoid further damage from malicious software.

Defective SD Card: In rare cases, physical damage to the SD card could cause it to become write-protected permanently.

2. Initial Checks

Before attempting to format a write-protected SD card, it is essential to perform some basic checks to ensure that you understand the cause and are able to address the issue.

Physical Write Protection Switch

The first step is to check for the physical write protection switch on the SD card. Many SD cards, particularly those that conform to the SDHC and SDXC standards, have a small sliding switch on the left-hand side. This switch can be moved to either the “Lock” or “Unlock” position, and when locked, the card will be write-protected.

Solution: If the switch is in the “Lock” position, slide it to the “Unlock” position, and then attempt to format the SD card again.

Device Settings

Some devices have software settings that enforce write protection on external storage devices like SD cards. These settings are typically found in the device’s storage or security settings. For example, certain mobile phones and digital cameras have security features that prevent formatting the SD card directly.

Solution: Access the device’s settings and check for options related to write protection, external storage, or SD card security. If available, disable any write protection settings before attempting to format the card.

Check for Malware or Corruption

Malware and file system corruption can cause write protection to be enabled automatically, even if no physical switch is present. This is often the case with counterfeit SD cards or SD cards that have been used in suspicious or untrusted devices.

Solution: Run a virus scan on the SD card using a reputable antivirus program to detect and remove any malware. You can also use the “chkdsk” command in Windows or the “fsck” command in Linux to check the SD card for file system errors.

3. Methods to Remove Write Protection and Format an SD Card

Once you’ve performed the initial checks and are ready to proceed, there are several methods to try and remove the write protection from the SD card and format it.

Method 1: Use the Physical Write Protection Switch

As mentioned earlier, the physical write protection switch is the simplest way to disable write protection on an SD card.

Step 1: Locate the small sliding switch on the side of the SD card.

Step 2: If the switch is in the “Lock” position, slide it to the “Unlock” position.

Step 3: Insert the SD card into your computer or device and attempt to format it.

Method 2: Use Diskpart in Windows Command Prompt

If the SD card has no physical switch or it is still write-protected despite being unlocked, you can try using Windows Diskpart to remove the write protection and format the card.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges. To do this, search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2: Type diskpart and press Enter to open the Diskpart tool.

Step 3: Type list disk to see all connected storage devices. Identify the disk number of your SD card.

Step 4: Type select disk X (replace “X” with your SD card’s disk number).

Step 5: Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter to remove the write protection.

Step 6: Type clean to delete all partitions on the card (this will erase all data).

Step 7: Create a new partition by typing create partition primary and then format the card by typing format fs=exfat (or another file system like ntfs or fat32 depending on your needs).

Step 8: Exit Diskpart by typing exit and close the Command Prompt.

Method 3: Edit the Windows Registry

Sometimes, write protection is enabled by the registry settings on Windows. You can try editing the Windows Registry to disable write protection.

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Step 3: In the right panel, look for a value named WriteProtect.

Step 4: If the value is set to “1.” double-click on it and change it to “0.”

Step 5: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Method 4: Use Third-Party Software

There are various third-party utilities available that can help remove write protection and format an SD card. Some of the most popular ones include SD Formatter, EaseUS Partition Master, and AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 1: Download and install a reputable third-party software tool.

Step 2: Launch the software and select your SD card from the list of available drives.

Step 3: Use the software’s options to remove write protection and then format the SD card according to your needs.

Method 5: Format on a Mac

If you’re unable to format the SD card on a Windows PC, you can try using a Mac computer.

Step 1: Insert the SD card into your Mac’s SD card reader or an external USB card reader.

Step 2: Open the Disk Utility app (you can find it using Spotlight).

Step 3: Select the SD card from the list of devices on the left.

Step 4: Click on the “Erase” tab and choose a format (e.g., exFAT or FAT32).

Step 5: Click “Erase” to format the card.

Method 6: Using Linux for Formatting

Linux is often more flexible in handling write-protected devices. You can use tools like GParted or the command-line interface to format your SD card.

Step 1: Open a terminal window.

Step 2: Type lsblk to list all storage devices and identify the SD card.

Step 3: Use the dd or mkfs command to format the card. For example, to format the SD card with the exFAT file system, use:

sudo mkfs.exfat /dev/sdX (replace /dev/sdX with your SD card’s device name).

Method 7: Use a Different Computer or Card Reader

If none of the above methods work, try using a different computer or SD card reader. Sometimes the issue could be with the specific hardware or software on your computer, rather than the SD card itself.

Step 1: Insert the SD card into a different computer or use a different card reader.

Step 2: Attempt to format the SD card using one of the methods listed above.

4. Troubleshooting and Alternatives

If the SD Card is Not Recognized

If your SD card isn’t being recognized by your computer, it could be due to a faulty connection, corrupted partition, or a damaged card.

Solution: Try using a different SD card reader, restart your computer, or try the SD card on a different device. If the card is still not recognized, it may be physically damaged.

Using SD Formatter Tool

The SD Association provides a free tool called SD Formatter, which is specifically designed for formatting SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards. It is often the most effective method for formatting cards, especially if they are problematic.

Step 1: Download SD Formatter from the official website.

Step 2: Install and launch the program.

Step 3: Select your SD card from the list of available devices and click “Format.”

When All Else Fails: Seeking Professional Help

If you’ve exhausted all methods and are still unable to format the SD card, it may be permanently damaged or malfunctioning. In such cases, it’s advisable to seek professional data recovery or repair services.