Why can't the SD card on my phone be formatted? Error: Windows can't complete formatting the drive

A Micro SD card is a miniature memory card that is often used in cameras, GPS devices and mobile phones as an additional storage medium. In most cases, you can format this card directly in the device, but it can also be done on a computer running Windows or Mac OS.

Steps

Formatting on Android Devices

    On your device's desktop, click Settings. Scroll through the pages and find the app's icon on your desktop.

    • The appearance of the Settings app icon depends on your version of Android, but in most cases the icon looks like a gear.

  1. Tap "Storage" or "SD & Storage". The name of the corresponding option depends on the Android version. Look for an option that has the word “memory” in its name.

    • As a rule, the corresponding option is marked with an icon in the form of an SD card.

  2. Check the option "Erase SD card" or "Format SD card". The screen will display the total capacity of the SD card, the amount of free space and the “Remove SD card” and “Format SD card” buttons.

    • If the “Format SD card” button is not available, then first disconnect the card by clicking on “Disconnect SD card”.

  3. In the window that opens, agree to delete all information stored on the SD card. The device will begin formatting the micro SD card; In this case, all contents of the card will be erased.

    Formatting on Windows Phone devices

    1. Find the Settings app. This method works on devices running Windows Phone 8 or later; in HTC One M8, in Nokia Lumia 635, in Nokia Lumia 830 and in Microsoft Lumia 735.

      Scroll down the page and find the "Phone Storage" option. Once you launch the Settings app, scroll down and find the Phone Storage option (located between the Battery Saver and Backup options).

    2. After viewing a graph on the screen showing the used space on all storage media, click “SD card”.

      • Before formatting the card, please back up important information as this process will delete all data stored on the card.

    3. Click "Format SD Card". Clicking "SD Card" will display two options: "Disconnect Card" and "Format Card." Click on the option that asks you to format the card.

      • By clicking “Format SD card”, a window will open on the screen warning you that all data stored on the card will be deleted. In the same window you will be asked to confirm your decision. Click "Yes" to start the formatting process.
      • Once formatting is complete, the device will recognize the card and ask you to reconfigure it. To do this, follow the instructions on the screen.

    Formatting on Windows computers

    1. For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, it comes with a special SD adapter. The adapter looks like a standard SD card with a “pocket” into which a micro SD card is inserted.

    2. Connect the card reader or adapter to a USB port or SD slot on your computer. Depending on your computer model and adapter type, you will need to use either an SD slot or a USB port.

      • If you are using an SD adapter, make sure the write protect switch is in the Off position. Otherwise, you will not be able to write any files to the card (it will have a Read-Only status).
      • Before formatting the card, copy all its contents to your computer, and after formatting, transfer the copied data back to the card.

    3. Click "Start" - "Computer" (or "My Computer"). This method works on Windows 7 and later versions.

      • The “Computer” window will display a list of all connected storage media.
      • Find your Micro SD card in the list. The card will be listed under the name of its manufacturer (if you did not change the card name) or under the name you assigned to it.

    4. Right-click on the card reader (in the list of connected storage media) and select "Format". A window with formatting options will open.

      • If the Format option does not appear, you may have to download and install the fat32format GUI utility.

    5. Check the "Quick Format" box. Clicking "Format" will open a window with several options, including "Quick Format." Select this option to get the best results.

      • If you installed the fat32utility utility, run the guiformat.exe file. The same window will open with several options.
      • Before clicking “Start”, make sure that other parameters are configured appropriately, for example, in the “Capacity” line the correct value of the total card capacity should be indicated, and in the “File system” line – the FAT32 system.

    6. Click "Get Started." This will start the formatting process; in this case, all contents of the card will be deleted.

      • Once formatting is complete, you will have a clean and ready-to-use micro SD card.

    Formatting on computers running Mac OS

    1. Insert the micro SD card into a special adapter or card reader compatible with micro SD cards. For example, if you have a SanDisk micro SD card, it comes with a special SD adapter. The adapter looks like a standard SD card with a pocket into which a micro SD card is inserted.

      • Please note that micro SD cards smaller than 32 GB are formatted using the FAT32 file system, while cards larger than 64 GB are formatted using the exFAT file system. If you are formatting the card for use on a phone, Nintendo DS, or 3DS, format it to FAT32. Remember that jailbroken Android devices cannot work with the exFAT file system.
      • Additionally, please note that Mac OS 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) or earlier Mac OS does not support or format cards using the exFAT file system. In this case, you will have to update your operating system.
      • It is recommended to format the card with the FAT32 file system, but in this case it will not be possible to write a file larger than 4 GB to the card.
      • You can buy an SD adapter if it doesn't come with your micro SD card. In this case, make sure that the adapter is compatible with your card. Some adapters are equipped with USB plugs, which means they can be used like regular flash drives.

What to do if the memory card cannot be formatted? What is the best thing to do in this case? The reasons and possible solutions to this problem will be discussed in detail in the article.

Nowadays, you simply cannot do without digital technology. And if it fails, then a number of inconveniences arise. For example, with a memory card, which is simply necessary for some devices, many problems often arise. There have been many cases when a computer or phone simply does not see it.

If the memory card cannot be formatted, what should I do? Solutions will be discussed below. Many people have this question if they are faced with a similar situation. Most often, the problem may be with the antivirus. Anti-virus utilities do not allow formatting. It is recommended to turn off the protection program and then resume work.

You should also close all programs before starting work, otherwise formatting will fail. Of course, there are many options for solving this problem. The simplest ones are to take the memory card to a service center, or simply recycle it and buy a new one, because their prices are affordable.

Flash Doctor program

One option is to format the card via the console. There is also a simple and convenient program that is easy to understand - Flash Doctor. Thanks to it, you can create a disk image, scan for errors and restore the media itself. This program must be installed on your computer. Next, download and click the "Restore program" button. not formatted, what should I do? There are many types of cards for our devices. They are popular due to their low price. Micro SD cards are inserted into mobile devices. Their demand lies in the fact that they store information well, and in addition, you can choose a large amount of memory. And at the same time, it is possible to easily transfer all data to any other device. They also have their drawbacks. For example, it happens that a memory card is not formatted; not everyone knows what to do in this case.

Formatting via the console

One of the options for resuming a flash drive may be formatting via the console. This is how you can achieve the desired result. Just use simple combinations and you will succeed. To begin, use the combination Win+R.

Next, the “Run” window appears, you need to enter the command diskmgmt.msc there. Then click OK. Then the Disk Management window should appear. We find our flash drive, right-click on it “Format”. Everything should go perfectly and the process should be completed successfully.

Format SD

If your phone's memory card cannot be formatted, what should I do? The reasons are different, and there are many options for solving them, depending on where the flash drive is located. For example, the phone may not format the SD memory card. What to do then? There is a simple program here called SD Format.

It will help you format the memory card. You need to connect your phone to your computer with a special wire, download this program, and run it. But if this did not help, then what to do if the memory card cannot be formatted? What to do? When you are completely desperate and have not found the right way out, you can come to specialists for help and reflash.

Rules

To avoid problems with the card, you should adhere to certain rules:

  1. There is no need to take many pictures in a row. Since the card does not have time to remember them, a failure may occur. Abruptly turning off the camera produces an image error.
  2. Of course, the card must be dry; you should not expose it to high temperatures. Otherwise it will fail completely. This card is designed to last for many years, proper care of it will extend its service life for a long time and will help avoid the need to format the card. Also, when purchasing, you should consider whether it will fit your device, especially if you are buying it for your phone.

MicroSD card protection

If the microSD memory card cannot be formatted, what should I do? First of all, you should make sure that protection against any changes is not enabled. And if it is connected, then you need to disable it. The easiest way is to switch a mechanical latch. It could turn on if you accidentally caught the device with your hand. It is necessary to carefully double-check and turn off, sometimes even just reboot the device. If the memory card cannot be formatted, what should I do? Having studied many programs, it is worth saying that not all of them can help in this matter.

Thus, some applications do not have time to make new changes to their database. You need to try several programs to “treat” your card, and only then decide to replace the card. Some of the applications may not help if there is an error in the controller. In this case, you can try formatting it on your phone or camera.

Rebooting the device and installing drivers

We have already figured out why the memory card is not formatted, what to do next has also been clarified. Most often, the computer does not see this flash drive or does not recognize it at all. Many people begin to panic during this period. Since all the photos and videos were left there. You should not forget about restarting your computer or phone. If it does not help, then use one of the snails. The most important point is data recovery. They can be transferred to another medium that works in good condition. If you don’t need the data on your flash drive, you downloaded it to another medium, then you can agree to format it.

The problem may also lie in the lack of driver installation. To clarify this problem, go to the “Device Manager” section. When the question mark is lit, this will indicate the absence of a driver. Nowadays, you should beware of counterfeits, as they are sold in original packaging. But there is a way out - this is checking with special utilities.

Pros and cons of the card

A memory card is a necessary thing in our time; without it it is difficult to use computer equipment and a telephone. It is quite small and thin in size, but this does not prevent it from performing many functions. If you remove it from the device, it does not lose information, this is a huge plus.

They are inexpensive, and if the card fails, you can buy a new one. The downside is its small size. In general, it is convenient and comfortable to use, suitable for any connectors, for different devices.

When purchasing a memory card, you should pay special attention to this issue. It is important which device you will insert it into. If it is needed for professional filming, then a huge amount of memory is required.

For use at home, you can get by with a small volume. A professional photo is taken on multiple cards to reduce the risk of information loss. If you carefully study the information about the memory card, you need to go to the store for advice. It is recommended to check it at the place of purchase to avoid counterfeiting. Competent sellers should help you choose and choose an option to suit your individual characteristics.

If you follow all the instructions for using the memory card and do not harm it, you can use it for many years. Don't forget that the card doesn't like high temperatures. It should be stored in a dark place, under no circumstances should it be overheated or wet. From time to time it is worth formatting your device to avoid it being completely clogged, otherwise it may malfunction.

Memory cards have become a part of our everyday life and carefully store the necessary information. And if a failure occurs, they advise you to try to solve the problem yourself by installing various utilities, and if necessary, take it to a service center. If the memory card is completely beyond repair, then you can simply recycle it. Therefore, the old memory card is most often replaced with a new one, taking into account individual needs.

A little conclusion

If the memory card cannot be formatted, what should I do? You now know the reasons for this phenomenon. We hope that the information presented in this article will help you.

Situations with memory card damage occur quite often. This article will discuss in detail the issue of restoring a damaged drive using third-party programs.

Loss of SD functionality can occur for many reasons - it could be damage to the drive itself, or a consequence of a malfunction of the device on which the card is installed.

Why crashes may occur

There are several most common causes, which may result in damage to the memory card:

  • physical damage;
  • Availability broken sectors;
  • wrong extraction storage;
  • failure in the operation of the device;
  • unknown errors, leading to a malfunction of the SD.

In what cases is recovery possible?

Physical breakdown SD cards may be directly related to case damage. It can crack, and the microcircuits inside are at risk of being damaged. The most common case is loss of retainer Lock. In addition, the interface controller may fail. In this case, restoring work and saving data is, fortunately, still possible.

The presence of broken memory cells is an equally common case. In this situation, the flash drive is not recognized by devices. This type of failure appears over time, because the drive’s memory has several read/write cycles. When they run out, the flash drive fails. It is possible to restore operation using specialized software.

In addition, there are errors that cause SD to malfunction. Such errors include the following system notifications:

  • the media is detected, but its size is 0 KB;
  • cannot be detected, read or opened on any device.

Errors:

  • insert the disc into the device;
  • USB device not recognized;
  • flash card is damaged;
  • this device cannot be started (code 10);
  • error when connecting a USB device (code 43).

Each case will require analysis to find the cause of the failure and restore the data.

Device malfunctions occur quite often. In this case, the card is recognized on another device. This is due to connector damage on the gadget itself. In this case, you will have to repair the device itself, and not the flash drive. The same applies to damage to the SD card on Android.

Incorrect extraction is primarily due to user inexperience. If the card incorrectly removed, then the flash memory is damaged. Unfortunately, it is impossible to eliminate such a malfunction. In this case, only purchasing a new SD will solve the problem.

Formatting using special programs

Software that performs low-level formatting of the drive can resolve some problems. The most popular are HDD LOW Format and SDformatter. They are also used when micro SD is not formatted.

HDD LOW Format

An effective program that will help you format SD. HDD LOW Format has in its arsenal special formatting algorithms that will help restore the functionality of the micro SD in a few mouse clicks.

Process:

SDformatter

SDformatter is a small free and functional utility that allows you to perform low-level formatting of a flash drive. Among other things, the program allows you not only to clear the card, but also repair bad sectors. SDformatter's simple interface will allow even a novice user to cope with the task.

The process looks like in the following way:

Using iFlash

To restore a memory card, you can use a special online service iFlash. This resource is a database of flash devices with the utilities most suitable for them.

Search process the required utility on the iFlash resource:



Kingmax (Super Stick and U-Drive)

To recover media from Kingmax, you will need Super Stick and U-Drive utilities. The operating principle of both programs is the same.

You can restore your drive in a few minutes:

  • open one of the versions of Super Stick or U-Drive utilities;
  • then a window will open (the interface of both utilities is identical);
  • click " Update" and wait for the process to complete.

Sandisk (Formatter Silicon Power)

  • install and open the program;
  • in the utility window select the module “ Recover" and wait for the restoration process to complete.

A-Data (Paragon Partition Manager Free)

For drives from A-Data, Paragon Partition Manager Free is best suited.

The process of restoring a drive using it looks like this:

  • open the program and in the main window use the module “ Format Partition»;
  • then you need to create a new disk partition; to do this, select “ Create new partition».

There is another useful program - HDDScan, let's look at the process of working with it on video:

other methods

If the above methods do not help or it is not possible to use them, you can try to recover the memory card using other tools.

Changing a letter disk:


Let's move on to installing drivers. To do this, you will need DriverPack Solution to automatically install the necessary software. You can also do this step manually and download the driver package from a specialized website.

In addition to using programs and other tools, it is best to start check the map on another device. If it is recognized, then the problem is hidden in your gadget (Android phone, tablet, camera and computer).

How to check a memory card for functionality

In case of failures and errors, it is worth checking the functionality. To do this, you do not need to use special tools; standard operating system tools will suffice.

The check can be done as follows:


How to handle SD card

To avoid data loss due to memory card failure, you must adhere to a number of rules when using it:

  • try to keep the card in protected place, avoid getting water on the interface connector, falls and other troubles that could damage the case;
  • not worth it touch with hands to the contact connector;
  • necessary defragment drive and use it as often as possible. If it is not used, then memory cells degrade over time;
  • do not forget create copies files located on a flash drive and transfer them to a PC;
  • not worth storing there are a large number of files on the card, you need to leave some free space;
  • at extraction from PC, you must use Safely Remove.

One of the common problems when formatting SD and MicroSD memory cards, as well as USB flash drives, is the error message “Windows cannot complete formatting”, and as a rule, the error appears regardless of the file system in which formatting is performed - FAT32, NTFS , exFAT or other.

In most cases, the problem occurs after the memory card or flash drive has been removed from some device (camera, phone, tablet, etc.), when using programs for working with disk partitions, or in cases where the drive is suddenly disconnected from the computer while performing operations with it, in case of power failures or when using the drive with any programs.

The method using DISKPART to clean up a disk can help in cases where the partition structure on a flash drive or memory card has been damaged or some device to which the drive was connected has created partitions on it (in Windows there may be problems if the removable drive there are several sections).

  1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator (), then use the following commands in order.
  2. diskpart
  3. list disk(as a result of executing this command, remember the number of the drive that needs to be formatted, hereinafter referred to as N)
  4. select disk N
  5. clean
  6. create partition primary
  7. format fs=fat32 quick(or fs=ntfs)
  8. If, after executing the command under step 7 after formatting is complete, the drive does not appear in Windows Explorer, use step 9, otherwise skip it.
  9. assign letter=Z(where Z is the desired letter of the flash drive or memory card).
  10. exit

If the flash drive or memory card still cannot be formatted

If none of the suggested methods help, this may indicate that the drive has failed (but not necessarily). In this case, you can try the following tools; there is a chance that they can help (but in theory they can aggravate the situation).

If the micro-SD card is not formatted, most users begin to get nervous, believing that the drive has failed and will have to be taken in for repairs or completely thrown away. However, before taking such radical actions, it is worth trying to understand the causes of the problem and find alternative methods to solve it.

Causes of the problem

The message that Windows cannot complete formatting the drive appears quite often and can be caused by several factors. If SD card partitioning is done using standard methods, The error most often occurs due to:

Formatting with system utilities

If the SD card cannot be formatted using standard methods, you should try repartitioning it using the DiskPart command or disk management manager.

DiskPart is a built-in Windows utility for managing hard drive partitions, preventing the creation of multi-partition partitions for flash drives. To use this program, you must do the following:

Disk Management Manager is one of the most important Windows utilities that allows you to repartition partitions that for some reason cannot be changed in the usual way.

To format a flash drive using the manager, you need:

If the process is completed successfully, the flash drive can be used as usual.

It is worth noting that when you install a new microSD into the phone, the drive is automatically detected and formatted. In devices with Android Marshmallow and higher, the system asks the user to select the purpose of the flash drive (internal memory or removable storage), and performs a breakdown depending on the choice. Therefore, you should not rush to format a newly purchased memory card manually - it is better to try inserting it into your phone.

Special programs

You can format a flash drive if it is not formatted using standard methods or OS utilities using special programs. Most of them are completely free, have an intuitive interface and ease of use.

Reflashing the controller

If all the described methods have been tried, but you still cannot format the media, the only option left is to reflash the controller. To do this you need to:

  1. Press the Win+R keys and enter the command “mmc devmgmt. msc".
  2. Find the drive in Device Manager, right-click on it and go to properties.
  3. Open the “Details” tab and set the drop-down menu to “Equipment ID”.
  4. Copy the DEV and VEN values, go to the flash drive manufacturer’s website and run a search by identifiers.
  5. Download the executable file of the latest firmware and run it.

After flashing the controller is completed, formatting the drive should start in normal mode.

How to prevent the problem

So that the user has as few questions as possible about why the flash drive is not formatted and what to do in this annoying situation, You must follow some simple rules:

  • Never pull the drive out of the PC connector during the recording process - this can damage not only the information, but also the device itself.
  • When removing the flash drive, be sure to use the safe disconnect option. You can remove the card reader from the port only after receiving the corresponding system message.
  • Newly purchased storage media must be checked with special programs (for example, H2Testw) - this will help to identify defects in a timely manner and return the device under warranty if necessary.

If none of the recovery methods help, you will have to accept the inevitable - the memory card is faulty and needs to be thrown away. Unfortunately, such devices cannot be repaired, so you will have to say goodbye to both the drive and the information stored on it.