5 Ways to Fix an Unformattable SD Card

SD (Secure Digital) cards are essential flash memory storage devices commonly used to store photos, videos, and other files on digital cameras, smartphones, and various portable devices.

SD cards come in three sizes: standard SD, miniSD, and microSD. If you're unsure about the differences between them, you can check out our article on SD Card, miniSD, and microSD comparisons. For Android smartphones, microSD is the most widely used format.

One common issue SD card users face is being unable to format the card. Several factors can cause this problem, such as virus infections, aging components, accumulated dirt, or even a locked SD card. If you're experiencing this, here are five methods to resolve the issue.

1. Unlock the SD Card

If your SD card displays a “The disk is write-protected” error when you try to format it, it might be locked. Many SD cards have a physical switch that prevents data from being written or erased.

To unlock it, locate the small switch on the side of the SD card and slide it in the opposite direction of the arrow next to the word “Lock.”

Once unlocked, try formatting the card again using the standard method. If that doesn’t work, try one of the alternative methods below.

2. Format Using an Android App

If formatting via your Android phone’s built-in settings fails, you can use a third-party app. One of the most reliable apps for this is Files by Google, which is available for free on the Play Store. Follow these steps to format your SD card using the app:

1. Open the Files by Google app.
2. Scroll down on the main page and tap SD Card.
3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Select Storage Settings.
5. Tap Format, then confirm by selecting Format SD Card.
6. Wait for the process to complete.

3. Format Using the Command Prompt (CMD)

Windows has a built-in feature for formatting external storage devices like SD cards. However, if that method fails, you can try using the Command Prompt (CMD).

This method is useful if your SD card is set to read-only, preventing any modifications, including formatting. By following these steps, you’ll first remove the read-only attribute before proceeding with the formatting process.

1. Open Command Prompt

Click Start and type cmd in the search bar. When "Command Prompt" appears in the results, click Run as administrator to open it with the necessary permissions.

2. Run the Diskpart Command

In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter. If a warning message pops up, click Yes to proceed.

3. Identify the SD Card

Type list disk and press Enter. This will display all storage devices connected to your computer. Identify your SD card from the list based on its storage capacity.

For example, if your SD card has 1898 MB, and it appears as Disk 1, then that’s your target. Type select disk 1 (or the corresponding disk number for your SD card) and press Enter.

4. Wipe the SD Card

To erase all data and partitions, type clean and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete. Once finished, your SD card will be ready for formatting.

5. Create a New Partition and Format

Now, create a new partition by typing "create partition primary", then press Enter. Then, format the SD card using the following command "format fs=fat quick label=sdcardoke", then press Enter. Wait for the formatting process to finish.

If formatting with the FAT file system doesn’t work, try NTFS or FAT32, depending on what your computer supports.

4. Formatting with EaseUS Partition Master

While CMD often resolves issues with damaged SD Cards, there are times when it might not be sufficient. In these cases, a third-party application like EaseUS Partition Master can be a great alternative.

EaseUS Partition Master is available for free from the official EaseUS website. Download and install the application, then follow these steps:

1. Select the SD Card

Open EaseUS Partition Master and run it as an administrator. Locate your SD Card, which in this example is labeled "Disk 1". Right-click on the "Disk 1" section and select "Format".

2. Set the Format

Configure the "Partition label", "File system", and "Cluster size". Since SD Cards are mainly used for storage, "FAT 32" or "exFAT" are suitable file systems.

For the Cluster size, choose "4K" for standard storage. For storing high-resolution videos, select "8K" or "16K". Uncheck "Quick format" if a thorough format is needed, then click "OK" and "Yes".

3. Initiate the Formatting Process

Click “Execute 1 Task” at the bottom right corner, then "Apply". Wait for the formatting to complete. Once done, click “Done” and close the application.

5. Formatting Using a MacBook

Formatting an SD card isn't confined to Android devices or Windows computers; MacBooks are equally capable. This can be a handy alternative if you encounter formatting issues on other platforms.

If you're using a MacBook Pro 14 or 16, you're set, as these models include an SD card slot. For microSD cards, you'll need an SD card adapter.

However, if you're using a MacBook Air, you will require a card reader and a USB-C cable to connect the SD card. Here's how to format an SD card on a MacBook:

1. Open Disk Utility

Source: GuideRealm

Connect the SD card to your Mac using an adapter or a card reader. Once the SD card is detected, open Launchpad and locate the "Disk Utility" application in the other folder, or simply use the search bar to find it.

2. Set the SD Card Format

Source: GuideRealm

Source: GuideRealm

In Disk Utility, select your SD card under the External devices section. Click the "Erase" button at the top of the window to access the formatting options.

Set the name and choose a file system for the SD card. You can select MS-DOS (FAT32), which is often the default, or ExFAT. Both formats are compatible with Windows and Mac computers.

Press the "Erase" button and wait for the process to complete. Your SD card is now formatted and ready for use!

These steps offer solutions for SD cards that fail to format. If your SD card cannot be formatted by any method mentioned, it might be damaged and unusable.