When you look through SanDisk forum or Canon Community, you will find the “SD card won’t format” issue is being discussed heatedly. Many photographers face this challenge and are left wondering how to resolve it. However, there is no need to worry! In this full guide, we will explore seven effective methods to fix the problem when Windows can’t format your SD card. Let’s dive in and get your SD card back in working order!
Part 1: Why Won’t My SD Card Format?
You might be wondering, ‘Why can’t I format my SD card?’ Unfortunately, there is no one universal reason for this problem, which means you need to consider multiple possibilities to find the correct solution. We’ve compiled some common reasons for the SD card won’t format issue:
| Cause | Explanation |
| Write Protection | Nowadays, many SD cards have a physical switch that locks the card to prevent writing or formatting. |
| Corrupted SD card | Your SD card is physically damaged. Additionally, if the SD card is not used for a long time, charge leakage in the NAND flash memory can occur. |
| File System Errors | The file system is corrupted, so it cannot be read or recognized by Windows. |
| Compatibility issues | When formatting, you might select a file system that the SD card does not support. |
| Driver Issues | Outdated or buggy disk drivers. |
| Defective Card Reader | There is a possibility that the card reader itself is malfunctioning. |
Bonus: Recover Data from SD Card that Won’t Format
If you need to recover data from a damaged SD card or format the wrong SD card, don’t worry. Tenorshare 4DDiG, a professional data recovery software, allows you recover lost files from formatted devices in just three steps. Whether you’re using a Windows or Mac computer, this tool works perfectly on both. In addition, with its clean and simple interface, 4DDiG is the ideal choice for those who are not very tech-savvy. Follow these stpes to recover formatted SD card with aid of 4DDiG:
Step 1: Begin by downloading and installing the 4DDiG Data Recovery tool. Launch the program, connect your SD card to the PC, and select it to start the recovery process.
Step 2: 4DDiG will thoroughly check the selected SD card to find any lost files after clicking on “Scan.” Once the scan is complete, you can preview the files to ensure that they are intact and usable.
Step 3: If everything is okay, select the desired files and click on “Recover.” To avoid data overwriting, 4DDiG allows you to save them to the cloud.
Part 2: 7 Proven Ways to Fix Unable to Format SD Card in Windows
Method 1: Disable the Write-protected Switch
Before delving into advanced solutions for the ‘micro SD card won’t format’ problem, the very first thing to do is confirm that your SD card is not write-protected. In most cases, there is a lock switch on the left side of the card. All you need to do is slide the lock switch up or down to the unlock position. It’s pretty easy, right? On the other hand, if your memory card doesn’t have a physical lock, follow these steps to remove write protection:
Step 1: First of all, press Windows + R together. Write “diskpart” into the dialog box and click on “OK”.
Step 2: In CMD, type the following commands in order. Remember to hit Enter after each command to execute it:
- list disk
- select disk 0(replace 0 with the number corresponding to your SD card)
- attributes disk clear readonly
- exit
Method 2: Reconnect Your SD Card to the PC
Yes, you heard it right. When Windows can’t format the SD card, it’s always right to rule out connection issues first. Gently clean your SD card with a soft cloth and ensure it is correctly inserted into the card reader. Additionally, try using a different card reader if possible. If your SD card is not showing up in Windows, read this article to find solutions.
Method 3: Select a Compatible File System
If you’re unable to format the SD card, it’s likely because you select an incompatible file system. Typically, SD cards support NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT file systems, with FAT32 and exFAT being the most commonly used. However, the bad news is that Windows’ built-in formatting tool does not offer FAT32 as an option for drives larger than 32GB. So, it’s best to check the capacity of your SD card before formatting. If its memory size is more than 32 GB, you can either choose exFAT or use third-party tools to format the card as FAT32.
Method 4: Format SD Card via DiskPart
There is a reason why you can’t format the SD card: you might not be using the right tools. In fact, Windows provides several utilities for managing storage devices, and DiskPart is one of them. With just a few simple commands, you can easily reset the card’s file system. Here’s how:
Step 1: To begin, follow the previous steps to open Diskpart.
Step 2: Once launched, type the following commands in order, hitting Enter after each:
- list disk
- select disk 0 (0 is the number of your memory card)
- clean
- create partion primary
- format fs=fat32 quick (Or format fs=exfat quick)
- exit
Method 5: Check for Bad Sectors
Why can’t I format my SD card? Occasionally, bad sectors (or bad blocks) can develop on the card, causing formatting difficulties. Thankfully, you can identify and fix these bad sectors using the Error Checking tool. To do so:
Step 1: Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E keys. Look for the affected SD card, right-click on it and select “Properties.”
Step 2: Switch to the “Tools” tab. Click on “Check” to start the repair process.
Method 6: Use Thrid-party Formatter
One effective way to fix the SD card won’t format problem is by using third-party formatter. Among the options, SD Memory Card Formatter is usually our go-to choice. Designed specifically for SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards, this tool is not only completely free but also very easy to use. Follow the given steps:
Step 1: Open you browser and go to the official SD Association website. Navigate to “Downloads” ＞ “SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac.” Then, download the appropriate version for your OS.
Step 2: Launch the program and select the problematic SD card to format.
Step 3: Select “Quick Format” from the “Formatting Options” section. It’s faster and generally sufficient for most uses. Click on “Format” to initiate the formatting process.
Method 7: Scan for Malware or Viruses
Sometimes, you’re unable to format the SD card if it is infected with a virus or malware. They not only corrupt the file system but also maliciously alter the access permissions of files on your SD card. Here’s a guide on how to run a thorough antivirus scan in Windows:
Step 1: Write “Windows Security” into the Search box and open it. From the left panel, click on “Virus & Threat Protection.”
Step 2: Look for “Scan options” and click on it. Then, hit the “Custom Scan” button to proceed.
Step 3: Click the “Scan now” button. Now, you’ll be prompted to choose your SD card from the list of drives. After selecting it, click “OK” to start the scan.
Wrap Things Up
So, there you have it, the answer to your query, “why won’t my SD card format?” Plus, we’ve shared seven methods in this article to fix ‘SD card won’t format’ issue depending on various situations. Now, you should be good to go.
