Generally, SD cards can be easily formatted on Windows PCs, Android phones, or digital cameras. However, at times, you may be unable to format an SD card due to several unknown reasons that can be really frustrating. But nothing to worry about! In this article, I’ll show you how to can’t format SD card issue using different methods.
So, without any further delay let’s just go through it………!
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Different devices throw different error messages when they cannot read or format a corrupt memory card. Some of the popular errors are mentioned here below – If you are also getting one of these or similar errors then you can be sure that your SD card has corrupted. There can be several reasons that can cause SD card won’t format issue. Let’s find out some of the common causes of this issue in the below section:How to Identify SD Card Not Formatting Issue on Different Devices?
On Windows PC:
On Android Devices:
On Digital Camera
Why Won’t My SD Card Format?
How To Fix Can’t Format SD Card on Windows PC/Android/Camera?
Method 1: Remove Write Protection From MicroSD Card
If you are unable to format your card, it is possible that your SD card is write-protected. If your memory card is locked or write protected, you won’t be able to perform any action on your SD card.
To remove the write protect from your memory card, firstly, you need to check if the physical write-protection switch of your SD card is enabled. If this is so, that means your SD card is locked and you can’t make any changes to it.
In such a case, you’ll need to unlock your memory card by sliding up the switch to the up position. However, if you want to learn more solutions, you can go through this article – How to remove write-protection from card?
Method 2- Run CHKDSK Command To Solve SD Card Won’t Format Issue
Another option you can try to fix SD card won’t format Android/PC is CHKDSK command.
Running the chkdsk command can eventually help you to check and repair the disk-related errors and issues like – bad sectors on card, file system errors, etc.
Here is how you can run chkdsk on your Windows PC:
- First, connect your SD card to PC using a card reader.
- Then, go to the Start menu & type the ‘cmd’ in a search box.
- Click on the Command Prompt (CMD) option >> choose Run as administrator.
- Once the cmd Window opened. You have to type ‘chkdsk’ text followed by your SD card drive letter, a colon & /f. (E.g., chkdsk G: /f)
- Next, hit Enter.
- Now, chkdsk command will check for the errors and will fix them for you.
Method 3- Change The Drive Letter & Paths (If SD Card Is Not Detected)
Most of the time, users can’t initiate to format the SD card just because the SD card is not showing up. Thus, in order to make it detectable. Follow the below steps:
- Connect your SD card to PC using a card reader.
- Go to start menu & type compmgmt.msc in a search box >> hit Enter.
- In the Storage option, choose Disk Management.
- Make right-click tap on a disk for which you want to change the drive letter >> choose Change Drive Letter & Paths.
- Under a dialog box >> click on the Change.
- Now, check in the Assign the following drive letter.
- Choose a new drive letter for your SD card >> click OK.
- Now, close a Disk Management window & restart the PC.
- Again, connect your SD card to PC now it ought to be readable. When your PC detects an SD card, just format it.
Method 4- Format The SD Card By Using Diskpart
If none of the above solutions helped you to troubleshoot SD card won’t format on Android/Windows PC then try to format the SD card by using the DiskPart.
Follow the below step-by-step guide to do so:
Step 1: First, connect your SD card to PC using a card reader.
Step 2: Then, go to Start menu & type the ‘cmd’ in a search box.
Step 3: Click on the Command Prompt (CMD) option >> choose Run as administrator.
Step 4: Once the command Window opened, type the “Diskpart,” & hit Enter.
Step 5: Now, type each of the below commands and make sure to hit Enter after each command.
- List disk.
- Select disk # (Here # means a disk number).
- List partition.
- Select partition # (here # means a partition number).
- Format fs=ntfs quick.
Method 5- Use Disk Management To Format SD Card For Android On PC
In case, if you are unable to format SD card in mobile, try formatting it by using the Disk Management. Though this utility will enable you to manage & view the drives along with their partitions.
So, what are you waiting for? Just follow the below steps to format the SD card with Disk Management and solve SD card cannot format Android on PC.
- Go to Start menu >> type the Computer Management in a search box.
- Choose the Computer Management option from a list.
- Then tap on a Disk Management option in a left pane.
- Under Disk Management window, you can find & right-tap on your SD card >> select Format.
- Choose the file system (FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS.
- Finally, choose the option “Perform a quick format” >> click OK.
Method 6- Use Third-Party SD Card Formatter To Format Your Memory Card
Last but not the least, even after trying the above fixes if your SD card won’t format Android or PC, try any third-party SD card formatter tool for formatting your SD card.
There’re numerous such tools that can help you to get your work done. Hereafter, search for an ideal choice & fix “can’t format SD card Android or Computer” issue.
How to Recover Data from SD Card After Formatting?
In case, you forgot to back up your SD card data before formatting it then you can use the powerful SD Card Recovery Tool to recover your lost or deleted files from your memory card easily. This software can help you recover all sorts of deleted other stuff from your SD card.
No matter whether your memory card is corrupted, damaged, formatted, locked, or virus-infected, it can scan your device thoroughly and extract the files from it in no time.
The best part about this software is that it supports the SD Card Recovery of various types and brands. Moreover, it is available for both Windows and Mac OS.
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* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable items.
So, what are you waiting for? Just download and install this software on your PC and follow the below user guide to recover data from formatted SD card.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How to Fix the RAW SD Card Won't Format?
If your SD card appears as RAW when checking it in Disk Management, it important to convert a RAW file system to a compatible format such as – FAT32 or NTFS for the normal use.
In order to convert the RAW file format to another format, you’ll need to format the card. You can simply format your RAW SD card using the below-mentioned ways:
- #1: Format Your Raw SD Card Using CMD Option
- #2: Use Disk Management To Format RAW SD Card
- #3: Force Format Your Raw SD Card.
You can visit this article to know the complete steps: How To Fix Raw SD Card Won’t Format Issue?
How Do I Force A Corrupted SD Card To Format?
To format your corrupted SD card forcibly, you need to follow the below steps:
- Open the File Explorer by pressing Win + E keys.
- Locate your corrupt SD card, right click on it and choose the Format option.
- Choose the correct file system (NTFS or FAT32) and check the ‘Perform a quick format’ box.
- At last, click on the Start button to begin the formatting process.
How to Fix SD Card Won't Format to FAT32
If your SD card is larger than 32GB, your Windows system won't let you format the memory card to FAT32. This is because, FAT32 has limitations that make it unsuitable for larger storage devices.
However, if you still want to format your SD card to FAT32, then you can visit this article – How To Format SD Card To FAT32 On Windows
How To Fix My SD Card Won’t Format On Android?
If your SD card won’t format on Android, simply remove the card and reinsert it back to your device.
However, if you still can’t format SD card on Android, then take out the SD card from your phone and connect it to your PC. Then, you can try to format it again.
Conclusion
Formatting the memory card is essential to fix various SD card errors and issue. However, if you can’t format SD card or the SD card won’t format, you can implement the above methods to format your memory card successfully.
In case, you forget to backup your SD card data before formatting it, you can try our trustworthy SD Card Recover Tool to get back your lost files in no time.
Hope you found this post helpful…….!
References – https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unable-to-format-sd-card/1d8a726f-1390-42f7-a506-f4b74549b5a4
Taposhi is an expert technical writer with 5+ years of experience. Her in-depth knowledge about data recovery and fascination to explore new DIY tools & technologies have helped many. She has a great interest in photography and loves to share photography tips and tricks with others.