How To Fix And Recover RAW SD Card?

What is a Raw SD card?

A RAW SD card appears unreadable by the computer. It is due to the file system of the SD card would be damaged which renders the SD card as RAW. Usually, brand-new storage media is turned into RAW. But if the partition on the SD card is deleted or lost, it will also result in a RAW SD card.

Source: Reddit

The file system fails to organize the binary-level data on the RAW hard drive. The only way to fix this issue is by formatting the SD card will result in data loss. Before you format the RAW SD card make use of data from one of the best SD card data recovery software like Remo Recover so that you can recover your data safely. Once the data is healed you can then format your RAW SD card.

This article will help you in achieving both recovering data from a RAW SD card and also guides you to repair a RAW SD card by yourself.

Table of Contents:

1. Signs of a RAW SD Card

2. Why Do SD Cards Turn RAW?

3. How to Recover Data from RAW SD card without Formatting?

4. Recover Data from RAW SD card with Remo SD Card Recovery

5. How Do I Fix a RAW SD Card?

Signs of a Raw SD Card

• Error messages like You need to format the drive before you can use it. Do you want to format it now?
• File names are replaced with weird characters
• Missing files and folders from SD card.
• SD card showing 0 bytes though it has data
• Error message Card not formatted, format card with this camera.

Why do SD Cards Turn RAW?

The most common reason behind an SD card turning RAW is improper handling or abrupt removal of SD cards from devices like cameras or computers.

When your SD card turns RAW, the computer or the device you are using the SD card on cannot recognize the file system and thus leaving your precious data inaccessible from the SD card.

Some of the common reasons behind SD cards turning RAW are:

• Mishandling: Abrupt removal of SD cards without ejecting them from devices like cameras, smartphones, or computers.
• Improper Usage: Improper formatting or reformatting of SD card.
• Virus or Malware: infection can corrupt the SD card and turn it into RAW.
• Overusage: SD card damaged due to aggressive usage on multiple devices.

Is It Possible To Recover Data From RAW SD Card Without Formatting?

Yes, it is possible to recover data from SD cards without formatting. Usually, when an SD card turns RAW, the first possible solution that comes to your mind is to format the RAW SD card. However, we all know that formatting a RAW SD card can result in data loss. Hence, you need to recover data from your SD card before you go ahead and format your SD card.

A Quick Way to RAW SD Card Recovery Using Remo Recover

Remo SD Card Recovery Software is the most recommended tool that can help you recover photos, video, audio, and other 500+ files from a RAW SD card.

Built with a powerful scan engine, not only does the tool recover files from the RAW SD card, but the tool can also recognize RAW images shot on any camera like Kodak or Sony. You can also preview the recovered files from the RAW SD card to judge the success rate of recovery.

With its ability to recover data not only from RAW SD cards but also from corrupt damaged or inaccessible SD cards

This utility can be used to perform SD card recovery on Windows 10 and on the latest macOS Monterey too. Download and try the tool for free now.

How Can I Recover Data From RAW SD Card?

Download and install the Remo Recover and connect the SD card you wish to recover.

Step 1: From the main screen click on the Can’t find the drive option to locate the RAW SD card.

Step 2: Click on the Scan option to initiate the scanning process.

Step 3: Once the QuickScan is completed, click on Dynamic Recovery View to see the files being recovered.

Step 4: Double-Click to preview the file recovered from RAW SD and click on Recover to save it to your system.

📌NOTE: Save the recovered files in a different location from the previous one to prevent data loss from happening again.

How Do I Fix A RAW SD Card?

Few ways that can repair a RAW SD card. The following are a couple of methods that you can do yourself to repair a RAW SD card.

1. Error Checking Tool to Repair RAW SD Card
2. Fix RAW SD Card by Formatting
3. Fix RAW SD Card Using DiskPart

Method 1: Error Checking Tool To Repair RAW SD Card

Error checking tool is a built-in feature of Windows which is the easiest way to fix errors on the memory card that we connect to our computer. Follow the steps below to fix the RAW SD Card using the error-checking tool

• Connect the RAW SD card onto the computer
• Under this PC, right-click on the SD card and go to Properties
• Click on Tools, and under Tools, you will see a button called Check click on it.



This will repair the RAW SD card within a few minutes. After repairing it, you can eject the card, reinsert it, and check if your files are now accessible and present again.

Method 2: Format RAW SD Card

This is the last resort to get access to your SD card if you have tried and failed to fix it with the above-mentioned methods. As mentioned earlier, formatting will erase all the data from your RAW SD card, move on if you have already recovered data from the RAW SD card with Remo Data Recovery Software.

• Go to This PC, and right-click on the RAW SD Card.
• Click on the format and select the desired file system and click OK
• Format RAW SD card to NTFS.

Since your SD card has turned RAW you might end up facing the error SD card won't format. You can fix it by reading the linked article

Method 3: Fix RAW SD Card Using DiskPart

Use the command prompt command DiskPart to format your SD card using Diskpart

Connect your SD card to the computer.

• Now type Command Prompt in the search bar and Run as Administrator.



• Now in the command prompt Windows type diskpart and hit Enter.
• Type list disk and hit Enter.



Now type Disk X format fs=FAT32 (where X is the SD card drive letter, replace X with your SD card drive letter).

This will erase your SD card data, ensure you have a backup of your important files before proceeding with these steps.

Conclusion:

Now you know the reasons behind SD cards turning RAW it is important that you take necessary precautions to avoid the same. Always maintain regular backups of SD card data and also make sure you handle your SD cards properly. RAW SD card recovery is completely possible using efficient software like Remo Recover and the article also guides you repair RAW SD cards on your own.