Fix RAW SD Card without Formatting in 6 Proven Ways

You can easily recover data and fix RAW SD card without formatting step by step in 6 useful methods. Scroll down to learn more.

By @Ivy
Last Updated February 26, 2025

"Hello everyone. I have a 64GB SD card but my laptop and other laptops can't open. I can see the SDXC card but when I try to open it says please insert a disc and sometimes it says you must format to open the sd card. Can you guys help me? I tried nearly everything but it didn't work. It shows as RAW in Disk Management. "

Format Disk

If your SD card becomes RAW, you cannot access it as well as data. Now, you need to fix RAW SD card without formatting it right away. This article provides users with 6 proven ways in the following. But what about the data inside the card? 

⚠️Sometimes a few simple operations can fix a RAW SD card, but handling a problematic card can really make things worse, even causing further data loss. If you end up formatting it, all data will be deleted along with it. So it's suggested to recover data from RAW SD card in Part 2 before fixing it. 

Why Does RAW SD Card Become RAW?

You may want to fix RAW SD card without formatting right now, but it’s still worth taking the time to learn the possible reasons. It may offer you a clue to fix and prevent this error from happening again. we have summarized common reasons in the following:

  • The file system is corrupted or missing.
  • Incompatible file system.
  • Improper usage, such as abruptly eject without safe remove option, stop file transfer halfway, etc.
  • Virus attacks or malware infections make SD cards RAW.
  • The quality of the SD card is poor. It often misreports their storage capacity, read or write speed, or both.

⭐Part 1: Recover Data from RAW SD Card before Repair 

AOMEI FastRecovery, released by AOMEI, a leading Windows data recovery software in the industry, can help you effectively recover data from RAW SD cards in Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, etc.

It integrates with a user-friendly interface, two advanced scanning technologies, and more flexible recovery options, making this process effortless. 

AOMEI FastRecovery
Why Choose AOMEI FastRecovery?
  • Combine Quick Scan & Deep Scan technologies to detect all deleted or lost files, with a high success rate and fast speed
  • Recover Word documents, Excel files, PPT, pictures, videos, compressed files, etc, and more than 1000+ file types.
  • Search or filter data quickly through file name, extension, data type, etc.
  • Preview and recover files while scanning.
  • Recover specific files or folders instead of all.
  • Support different types of SD cards, from Standard SD card to SDHC, SDXC, SDUC, micro SD card, etc.
  • Work perfectly with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.
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Now, you can click the download button to get started. Connect the SD card using a card reader and be sure it's recognized, at least showing in Disk Management.

⚠️The Trial version of AOMEI FastRecovery can only be demonstrated. To recover data from RAW SD card, please upgrade AOMEI FastRecovery to the Professional or Technician version.

Step 1. Scan the RAW SD card

Launch Windows data recovery software- AOMEI FastRecovery. Hover the mouse over the RAW SD card, and click Scan. You can identify it through its drive letter (if it has one) or its capacity.

choose-the-raw-partition-start-scan

Step 2. Search for all recoverable data

The software will run Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically and find all the data stored on RAW SD drive. It will save them in the Deleted Files/Recycle Bin/Other Missing Files folder.

Step 3. Recover data from RAW SD card

Select all the data on the RAW drive and click Recover X files. Please select a new location to save the recovered files to avoid data overwriting. 

⚠️Notes:

  • AOMEI FastRecovery allows you to preview files before recovering (if necessary).

  • You can recover specific files or folders instead of all by typing the file name or extension in the search box, or using the filter options, i.e. data type, date modified, size. 

  • Not only Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, you still can use it to recover deleted files from Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025, etc.

⭐Part 2: Fix RAW SD Card without Formatting

As mentioned earlier, the formatting process will wipe your data. You probably don’t lose data due to this. So you can recover RAW SD card without formatting in the following 6 useful methods.

⚠️IMPORTANT: Before fixing a RAW SD card, it's necessary to recover data first. Or Use a free backup software to backup RAW SD card. The following operations or human errors may result in data loss.

Way 1: Try Another USB Port, Card Reader, or PC

The reason your SD card becomes RAW may be recognized issues well. To exclude this possibility, you need to check the following items.

  • Unlock your SD card and reconnect it. The SD has a small physical switch on the side, which locks and unlocks the SD card.
  • Clear your SD card or USB port for any dust and debris.
  • Try another USB port, card reader (if you are using a micro SD card), or different machine.

Way 2: Fix RAW SD Card using Error Checking Tool

If your SD card and connection do not have problems, try the Error Checking tool. It can check the file system errors and fix them on your drive.

Step 1. Connect your RAW SD card to a Windows PC. Then, right-click it and select Properties.

Step 2. In the Properties window, go to the Tools tab and click Check under the Error Checking section.

Step 3. Click Scan Drive to find out file system errors and fix it.

Way 3: Recover RAW SD Card using CHKDSK

CHKDSK is the command line version of the Error Checking tool, which is more flexible and has rich error-checking options. You need to connect your RAW SD card to a Windows PC.

Step 1. Right-click the Start menu and select Powershell (Admin).

Step 2. Type chkdsk G: /f /r or chkdsk G: /f /r /x and press Enter. It will start to check the drive for file system errors and fix them.

⚠️Notes: 
  • G: refers to the drive letter of your SD card in RAW format.
  • The /f tells it to fix errors on the disk.
  • The /r tells it to locate bad sectors and recover readable information.
  • The /x tells it to force the volume to dismount first if necessary.

If you receive the “CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives” error, try the other 3 methods below or directly format it.

Way 4: Assign a New Drive Letter for RAW SD Card

Your SD card became RAW, probably just because of the missing drive letter. You can choose to assign a new drive letter for it. Please connect your RAW SD card in advance.

Step 1. Right-click the Start menu and select Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click the RAW SD card and select the Change Drive Letter and Path option.

Step 3. Click the Change option and select a new drive letter from the drop-down menu. Then, click OK.

Way 5: Reinstall SD Card Drivers

Windows will automatically install drivers for the newly connected drive but sometimes fails. You need to install drivers in the Device Manager manually.

Step 1. Right-click the Start menu and select Device Manager.

Step 2. Go to Disk drives. Find out your SD card, right-click it, and select Uninstall device.

Step 3. Restart your system and see if your SD card is accessible.

Way 6: Set RAW SD Card Active

Step 1. Type diskmgmt.msc in the search box and press Enter. It will direct you to Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click the RAW SD card and select Mark Partition as Active.

Step 3. Go to File Explorer. Right-click the SD card and select Properties.

Step 4. Go to Security > Advanced, look for Owner, and click Edit.

Step 5. Go to Other groups or users and click Advanced. Then, select the first user in the list and click OK.

How to Convert RAW SD Card to NTFS

If you still cannot recover RAW SD card without formatting, formatting is the only method to make your SD card usable. You have 3 available methods below.

Way 1: Format RAW SD Card to NTFS in File Explorer

Step 1. Open This PC. Right-click the RAW SD card and select Format.

Step 2. Select the NTFS file system and click Start.

⚠️Notes:

  • The quick format option deletes only the file system paths to your data on the RAW SD drive. If you uncheck it, it will overwrite data on this disk with zero.

  • You can also select any recognized file system based on your preferences, such as FAT32, FAT16, exFAT, etc.

Step 3. Click Yes in the prompt to start the formatting process.

Way 2: Convert RAW SD Drive to NTFS with Disk Management

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon and choose Disk Management. Then, find the SD drive labeled with RAW.

Step 2. Right-click the RAW SD drive and select Format.

Step 3. In the Format window, select file system- NTFS and click OK. You can also select FAT32, FAT16, exFAT, etc.

Step 2. Click OK again when you see a formatting warning.

Way 3: Change RAW File System to NTFS using DiskPart

Step 1. Press Win + R and type diskpart in the Run window. Then, click OK to open it.

Step 2. Enter the following commands and press Enter after each line.

  • list disk
  • select disk M (M is the disk number of the RAW SD drive.)
  • clean (The clean command will delete all the data on the RAW SD drive.)
  • create partition primary
  • format fs=ntfs quick

⚠️Notes:

  • If your RAW SD disk is write-protected, you could add the “attributes disk clear readonly” command to remove it before using the “clean” command. 

  • If your RAW drive is just a partition on a disk, select the partition and format it to a recognized file system.

How to Prevent Your SD Card from Becoming RAW

The RAW file system is a not recognized “format”, so you cannot access your SD card and data on it if it becomes RAW. This also may cause data loss. To make it always usable, you need to follow the suggestions below:

  • Always get an SD card with high quality, such as an SD card from a well-known brand manufacturer, such as SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung, etc.
  • Take good care of your SD card. For example, keep it in a dust-free and dry place, use the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media option, don’t interrupt operation in the process, etc.
  • Use a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply).
  • Replace the SD card if you have used it for a long time. According to the SD Card Association, most good-quality SD cards have a 10-year lifespan. If you are a heavy user, this may be shorter.
  • Format your SD card after it’s full or you delete files multiple times. This ensures it continues operating well. Remember to backup files in the SD card beforehand.
  • Don’t visit unsafe websites and scan your computer for viruses periodically.

FAQs

✍How do I convert my RAW SD card to FAT32?
 
The methods are the same as converting RAW SD cards to NTFS. You just need to select FAT32 as a file system while formatting. In diskpart, type format fs=fat32 quick instead.
✍Why is my SD card not allowing FAT32?
 
This is probably because your SD card is larger than 32GB. Microsoft only allows users to format SD cards with 32 GB or lower capacity as FAT32. If this is your problem, try the NTFS file system.
✍How do I fix a corrupted RAW SD card?
 
If your SD card is damaged, the most effective method is to format it and you have 3 commonly used methods. You can choose to fix a corrupted RAW SD card in File Explorer, Disk Management, or Diskpart.

Concluding Words

This article introduces you to the possible reasons of RAW SD card and how to fix RAW SD card without formatting. If neither of them fixing this problem, you have to format RAW Disk to NTFS or other recognized file systems, such as FAT32, exFAT, etc.

Whether you format RAW SD card or not, there is a potential risk of data loss. So it’s suggested to recover data from RAW SD card first. You need a reliable data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery. Or backup files to a safe place.

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