Best Way | How to Recover Data from Unmountable SD Card

Here, learn how to recover data from unmountable SD card using simple and effective methods. This article also contains relevant information related to unmountable SD card.

Lori

By Lori / Updated on December 11, 2024

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An SD card is a small storage device used in smartphones, cameras, and tablets to store data like photos and documents. For your device to access the data, it needs to "mount" the SD card, which means the device recognizes and prepares it for use.

But sometimes, things don’t work as expected. If an SD card won’t mount, the data becomes inaccessible, and we call this "unmountable." This can be really frustrating, especially if you’re trying to transfer important files. However, there’s still hope to recover data from unmountable SD card .

Memory Card

In this guide, I'll explain why an SD card might not mount and introduce you to an effective unmounted SD card recovery  tool, MyRecover, to help you recover data from unmounted SD card easily.

How to Recover Data from Unmountable SD Card

So, your SD card won’t mount, and you're worried about losing your data? Lucikly, it is possible to recover unmountable SD card data! Let’s look at some steps you can take. One of the most effective solutions is using data recovery software like MyRecover. This tool is designed to recover lost or inaccessible data quickly and efficiently.

Highlights of MyRecover:
  • Supports various SD card types: Works with Standard SD cards, SDHC, SDXC, SDUC, micro/mini SD cards, CF cards, and more.
  • Compatible with major SD brands: Recovers data from SanDisk, Toshiba, Samsung, Lexar, Patriot, Silicon Power, and others.
  • Supports 1000+ file types: You can recover pernamently deleted photos, audio, videos, Word documents, Excel files, and more.
  • Quick and Deep Scans: These scans locate as many files as possible and recover them with a high success rate.
  • Preview and Filter Options: Search, filter, and preview specific files to ensure you’re recovering the right ones.
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🔥 Bonus: MyRecover is free for up to 500MB of data recovery. It’s compatible with Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server. Let’s walk through how to recover data from an unmountable SD card using MyRecover.

Step 1. Start Scan

Connect your SD card to your computer using a card reader and make sure it’s detected. Then, open MyRecover, hover over your SD card or partition, and click the Scan button.

select-sd-card-to-scan

Step 2. Search for the target files

MyRecover will automatically start with a quick scan, followed by a deep scan to locate all deleted or inaccessible files on your SD card.

scanning-sd-card

🌟Tips: To make it easier to find specific files, you can use the Filter option, which offers three ways to narrow your search:
  • Type: Filter by file type, such as images, videos, documents, emails, compressed files, and more.
  • Date Modified: Choose to recover unmounted SD card data based on when they were last modified—today, yesterday, last 7 days, last 30 days, or set a custom date range. To perform SD card data recovery at a specific time, try the last option.
  • Size: Filter by file size, from less than 128KB up to 512MB and more. You can also customize the size range.

Step 3. Recover the deleted files

Once the scan is complete, review the results and select the files you want to recover, such as videos or photos. Then, click Recover X Files. Be sure to save them in a different location (not on the SD card) to avoid overwriting any data.

select-videos-to-restore-from-sd-card

🌟Tips:

With MyRecover, you can also easily recover deleted files from USB drives, hard drives, SSDs, external storage devices, and more.

MyRecover will show the number of files to be recovered and their entire size. You can free recover files up to 500MB in total. To recover unlimited data, please upgrade MyRecover.

How to Stop Your SD Card from Unmounting (2 Methods)

If your SD card keeps unmounting, you’re likely dealing with a persistent problem that can lead to data corruption. Let’s look at two practical ways to stop this from happening.

Method 1. Update or Reinstall SD Card Drivers

Sometimes, an outdated or corrupted driver can cause your SD card to unmount. Updating or reinstalling the driver could fix the problem. Here’s how to update the driver:

Step 1. Press Win+R key, type devmgmt.msc and click OK to start Device Manager.

Step 2. Expand the Disk drives section, locate your SD card, right-click it, and select Uninstall device

uninstall-device

Alternatively, choose Update driver, then click Search automatically for drivers. The system will find and install the latest drivers for your SD card.

update-driver

Step 3. Remove the SD card from your computer, restart your system, and then reconnect the SD card. The system should automatically install the latest drivers.

Method 2. Format the SD Card

If updating the drivers doesn’t stop the SD card from unmounting, formatting the card might help. However, formatting will erase all data on the card, so make sure to back up any important files first!

🌟Tip: You can back up your files using tools like File History or free third-party software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to avoid data loss.

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer. Open File Explorer, right-click the SD card, and select Format.

Step 2. Choose the capacity and file system (e.g., NTFS or FAT32), and ensure the Quick Format option is checked. Click Start to begin formatting the SD card.

Windows Quick Format

Why Is My SD Card Unmountable?

An unmountable SD card can occur for several reasons. Understanding why this happens is key to preventing the issue in the future. Below are some common causes:

Corruption: Over time, SD cards can become corrupted, making them unreadable by devices.

Physical Damage: SD cards are fragile. Any physical damage, including exposure to water or dust, can prevent the card from mounting.

Viruses and Malware: If your SD card has been exposed to viruses attack, it could prevent the card from being recognized by your device.

Improper Formatting: Incorrectly formatted SD cards are often unreadable. Always format your SD card properly before use.

Hardware Issues: Sometimes the issue lies in the hardware—whether it’s a faulty SD card reader or a damaged USB port.

Bonus Tips to Protect Your SD Card

To prevent your SD card from becoming unmountable in the future, here are some tips you should follow:

1️⃣ Always unmount before removing: Don’t just yank the SD card out of your device. Properly unmount it to prevent corruption.

2️⃣ Avoid physical damage: Store your SD card in a safe place and avoid exposing it to harsh conditions.

3️⃣ Use high-quality SD cards: Not all SD cards are created equal. Invest in a good quality card to avoid data loss.

4️⃣ Limit capacity usage: Try not to fill your SD card to the brim. Leaving some free space ensures smoother performance.

Conclusion

An unmountable SD card can be a major headache, especially when it holds important data. Fortunately, with tools like MyRecover, you can recover data from unmountable SD card with ease. Besides, you can use it to recover files from formatted SD card.

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Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so be sure to regularly back up your important files and properly eject your SD cards to avoid these issues.

FAQs About Unmounted SD Card

1. What is unmount SD card?

Unmounting an SD card means safely disconnecting it from your device, making it ready for removal without risking data loss.

2. What happens when you unmount an SD card?

When you unmount an SD card, your device stops accessing it, ensuring that all files are saved and preventing corruption.

3. What does it mean to unmount an SD card?

To unmount an SD card means to inform your device that you're done using it, allowing you to remove it safely.

4. How to unmount SD card?

To unmount an SD card, go to your device’s settings, find the storage section, select the SD card, and choose the unmount or eject option.

5. How to unmount SD card in a Samsung?

On a Samsung device, you can unmount the SD card by going to Settings > Device care > Storage, selecting your SD card, and tapping Unmount.

6. Can I recover data from a physically damaged SD card?

If the damage is external (e.g., scratches), data recovery software may still work. However, if the card’s internal components are damaged, recovery might be impossible.

7. What should I do if my SD card isn’t recognized by my computer?

Try inserting the card into a different reader or device. If that doesn’t work, try updating your drivers or using data recovery software like MyRecover to access and recover deleted files.

Lori
Lori · Editor
Lori receives professional technical training since joining AOMEI, and aims at helping users troubleshoot problems on data recovery and protection. She focuses on simple, efficient and practical methods, and provides professional advice. Being able to help readers and users is her ultimate goal.