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This is how we fixed corrupted card reader issues

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Dealing with a corrupted card reader can be very devastating. Vital information stored on your card readers might get lost once the card is corrupted. Most people spend a lot of time trying to fix a corrupted card reader or get vital information on it yet their efforts are ineffective.

Besides that, here are some symptoms of a corrupted card reader:

On the other hand, the Windows Report team has listed and comprehensively explained the various methods which will enable you to repair your corrupted card reader.

Nevertheless, Windows Report has compiled some of the best applicable workarounds to fix your corrupted card reader.

Here’s how to fix corrupted card readers

Here’s how to fix corrupted card readers

Method 1: Connect SD card to a different device

Sometimes, your current device may not read an SD card or might be incompatible to your SD card. Therefore, you should attempt to use the SD card on another device (whether mobile or desktop).

Alternatively, you can try another USB port on your computer. This is because the USB port connecting the card reader might be damaged; hence, trying other available USB ports might be ideal to fix the corrupted card reader.

Method 2: Scan with antivirus

Sometimes, virus attacks might lead to the corruption status of your card reader. By utilizing an antivirus program, you can clean your corrupted card reader and free it from virus corruption. Some notable antivirus programs you can use to fix your corrupted card reader include Avast, Malwarebytes, Panda, Kaspersky,and other solutions.

We strongly recommend you use anothereffective antivirus softwarefor more powerful security features against all types of malware. Using such protection tools, you stay secured from hacking or phishing attacks, plus earn powerful scanning features to detect every issue from your PC and fix it in a short time.

Method 3: Change drive letter

Another applicable workaround to fix a corrupted card reader is by changing the drive letter of the card reader in windows explorer.

Here’s how to do this:

Method 4: Use the CHKDSK command

Here’s how to do this:

Note:

Commands in chkdsk:

Parameter /f – fixes errors on the card reader

Parameter /r – fixes corrupted sectors on the card reader

Parameter /? – for other check parameters

Method 5: Use Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is another effective tool that can fix corrupted card reader.

Here’s how to run Disk Cleanup:

Method 6: Format SD card

If all the files on the card are readable but cannot be saved, then your card is in a write protected mode. You have to unlock the write-protection switch to save files on the card.

If you are still unable to read or write to the card, then it’s possible that your files have become inaccessible or lost. Therefore, you can use windows explorer or any effective third-party software toformat the card reader.

Note: You should ensure that youbackup important fileson the SD card prior to initiating the format process.

Here’s how to format your card reader by using Windows explorer:

Method 7: Reinstall the driver

Here’s how to reinstall the driver for your card reader:

In conclusion, if none of the aforementioned solutions fixed your corrupted card reader, recovery software will be applicable to salvage the issue. Whenever a card becomes inaccessible or formatted, most times the stored data gets lost. However, all files will remain on the SD card and can be recovered by using efficientfile recovery software.

Were you able to fix your corrupted card reader by using any of the aforementioned workarounds? Share your familiarity with other Windows users by commenting below.

More about the topics:windows fix

Ivan Jenic

Windows Hardware Expert

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.

When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.

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Ivan Jenic

Windows Hardware Expert

Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.