How to restore corrupted files on sd card​?

Method 1: Use Built-in Tools in Operating Systems

For Windows

Chkdsk Command: The Check Disk (Chkdsk) utility in Windows can scan the SD card for errors and attempt to repair them. Connect the SD card to your Windows computer using a card reader. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. In the Command Prompt, type “chkdsk H: /f” (assuming your SD card is assigned the drive letter H). The “/f” parameter tells Chkdsk to fix any errors it finds. Wait for the process to complete. Chkdsk will display a report of the errors it found and fixed.

Disk Management: You can also use the Disk Management tool in Windows. Right-click on the Start menu and select “Disk Management”. Locate your SD card in the list of disks. Right-click on the SD card partition and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check” under the Error checking section. Windows will scan and repair any file system errors on the SD card.

Disk Utility: Macs have a built-in Disk Utility that can be used to repair SD cards. Insert the SD card into your Mac. Open Disk Utility, which can be found in the Applications > Utilities folder. In Disk Utility, select the SD card from the list of drives on the left. Click the “First Aid” button. Disk Utility will scan the SD card for errors and attempt to fix them. Wait for the process to finish, and then check if your files are accessible.

For Mac

Method 2: Employ Third-Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a comprehensive and intuitive data recovery software designed to help users recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from a variety of storage devices. Whether you’re dealing with accidentally deleted files, a corrupted drive, or a formatted SD card, Panda Assistant offers a reliable and efficient solution. With its easy-to-use interface, users can quickly and safely restore data, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

Key features of Panda Assistant include its ability to recover files from hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and other storage devices. It supports a wide range of file types, including photos, videos, documents, and audio files, ensuring that you can recover almost any kind of data. The software provides both quick and deep scan options, depending on the complexity of the recovery task. The quick scan is ideal for recently deleted files, while the deep scan can help recover files from severely damaged or formatted drives.

Method 3: Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

When to Consider Professional Services: If the above methods do not work or if the data on the SD card is extremely important, it may be necessary to seek professional data recovery services. This is especially true if the SD card has physical damage, such as a broken connector or a damaged circuit board. Professional data recovery companies have specialized equipment and expertise to handle complex data recovery situations.

Choosing a Reputable Service Provider: When looking for a professional data recovery service, it is important to choose a reputable company. Look for companies that have been in business for a long time and have a good track record of successful recoveries. Read online reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or colleagues who have used similar services. It is also a good idea to get a quote from the company before committing to their services. Some companies may offer a free evaluation to determine the extent of the damage and the likelihood of successful recovery.

Method 4: Linux-Based Recovery Methods

Using TestDisk: TestDisk is a powerful data recovery tool commonly used in Linux. It can be used to recover lost partitions and repair damaged file systems. First, install TestDisk on your Linux system. You can usually do this using the package manager for your specific Linux distribution. For example, on Ubuntu, you can use the command “sudo apt-get install testdisk”. After installation, insert the SD card into your Linux computer. Open a terminal and run the TestDisk command. Follow the on-screen prompts to select the SD card and choose the appropriate options for your recovery needs. TestDisk will scan the SD card and attempt to recover lost partitions and files.

ddrescue Utility: The ddrescue utility can be used to create a copy of the SD card, attempting to recover as much data as possible even if there are bad sectors on the card. Install ddrescue if it is not already installed on your Linux system. Insert the SD card and identify the device name of the SD card. You can use the “lsblk” command to list all block devices and find the SD card. Then, use the ddrescue command to create a copy of the SD card. The basic syntax is “ddrescue /dev/sdX /path/to/output.image”. Replace “/dev/sdX” with the actual device name of the SD card and “/path/to/output.image” with the location and name where you want to save the image file. This process may take a long time depending on the size of the SD card and the amount of data to be recovered.

Method 5: Check for Physical Damage and Try Cleaning

Inspect the SD Card: Carefully examine the SD card for any signs of physical damage. Look for cracks, scratches, or bent pins on the connector. If the SD card has visible physical damage, it may be more difficult to recover the data, but it is still worth trying the other methods or seeking professional help.

Clean the SD Card: Sometimes, dirt or debris on the SD card’s connector can cause problems. Use a clean, dry, soft cloth to gently wipe the connector of the SD card. You can also use a can of compressed air to blow away any dust or debris from the card and the card reader slot.

Precautions to Prevent SD Card File Corruption

Proper Ejection: Always eject the SD card properly from your device before removing it. On Windows, right-click on the SD card icon in the File Explorer and select “Eject”. On Mac, click the eject button next to the SD card icon in the Finder. This ensures that all data is properly written to the card and prevents file corruption.

Avoid Power Interruptions: Do not remove the SD card while a device is writing data to it. For example, if you are transferring files to or from the SD card using a camera or a computer, wait until the transfer is complete and the device indicates that it is safe to remove the card. Power interruptions during data transfer can cause file corruption.

Use Reliable SD Cards: Purchase high-quality SD cards from reputable manufacturers. Cheap or counterfeit SD cards are more likely to have issues and may cause file corruption. Look for SD cards with good reviews and certifications.

Regular Backups: Make regular backups of the important data on your SD card to another storage device, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage. This way, if the SD card becomes corrupted or lost, you still have a copy of your data.