Why do SD Cards get Corrupted?

When we travel, we often use our cameras to capture precious memories and store them on SD cards or memory cards. These cards are durable and handy for various purposes, including data storage. Once we save our data on an SD card, we usually feel that our data is safe.

But sometimes, SD cards can become corrupted. This can happen for many reasons; some of the most common are improperly removing the card, a virus or malware attack, or physical damage.

To protect our data on SD cards, it's essential to understand how to prevent corruption. This article will explain why SD cards get corrupted, the signs of corruption, and tips to prevent it.

Why Do SD Cards Get Corrupted? 

There are many ways that SD cards can be corrupted, but some are most common, such as:

Improper Ejection

When you eject an SD card, your device ensures that all ongoing read and write operations are completed. Removing it suddenly can disrupt these operations, causing file system errors and, eventually, corruption. So don't eject your SD card suddenly from any operating system.

Virus or Malware Attack 

SD cards, when connected to infected devices, can pick up viruses or malware. Think of these as digital germs. These malicious programs can infect files on the SD card, causing them to become corrupt or unusable. It's like having a contaminated item in your collection.

Physical Damage 

SD cards may be small, but they're not immune to physical harm. Bending, water exposure, or accidental drops can damage the card's internal components. Just like a scratched DVD can't play properly, a damaged SD card can't read or write data correctly, leading to corruption.

File System Errors

Every SD card has a file system structure; this file system is responsible for all input and output processes on SD cards. If something goes wrong with this structure due to improper ejection, unexpected power loss, or other interruptions, it can lead to corruption. 

Exceeding Storage Capacity

For convenience, it is an easy way to store all your favorite photos and videos on your SD card, but be careful; overloading it can slow down performance and possibly lead to data corruption.

Signs and Symptoms of SD Card Data Loss

By following these signs and symptoms, you can recognize the early signs of SD card data loss:-

Error Messages: If, when accessing files or folders on the SD card, your operating system gives error messages like "file not found," "access denied," or "file system error," it would be an early sign of corruption.

Slow Performance: A significant drop in the performance of your SD card, such as slower read/write speeds or delays in accessing files, can be a sign of corruption.

Missing or Inaccessible Files: If files and folders suddenly go missing or become inaccessible, it may be due to corruption. Check if your files are intact and accessible regularly.

 File Names Turning Unreadable: Sometimes, file names may appear as random characters or become unreadable. This can happen when the file system information is corrupted.

Unable to Format or Safely Eject: If you find it difficult to format the SD card or safely eject it from your device, it may be a sign of issues.

Unexpected Disconnections: Frequent unexpected disconnections of the SD card from your device, especially during file transfers or while accessing data, can contribute to corruption.

Tips to Prevent SD Card Corruption

To minimize the chances of SD card corruption, follow these data corruption prevention tips:

• Safely Eject: Always use the "eject" or "safely remove hardware" option on your computer before physically removing the SD card.

• Avoid Overloading: Don't fill your SD card to its maximum capacity. Leave some free space for the file system to work efficiently.

• Regular Backups: Make regular backups of your SD card's data to another storage device or the cloud. 

• Quality SD Cards: Do not compromise the quality of the SD because high-quality cards are less likely to fail.

• Scan for Errors: Periodically scan and repair your SD card for errors using your device's built-in tools or third-party software.

Final Words

While SD cards are helpful in storing important documents, pictures, and videos, they are not invincible. By understanding the cause of data corruption and using prevention tips, we can protect our data from being lost.

If you face the situation of data loss on your SD card, do not hesitate to contact us at Techchef Data Recovery at 1800-313-1737 and get advice on what to do from our professionals in data recovery.