In this digital world, an SD card has become a popular storage device, mainly known for its portability and easy connectivity with several devices, including cameras, smartphones, etc. However, SD cards are easily prone to corruption or sudden data loss. Sudden camera malfunction can be distressful, especially if its SD card contains valuable photos. If you find important photos missing from your SD card after a camera malfunction, don’t freak out!
Luckily, there are several SD card recovery methods available online to restore your lost photos from it. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss different methods for recovering photos from an SD card after a camera malfunction. Go with the step-by-step processes to recover precious photos easily!
Understanding Common Causes of SD Card Data Loss
Before diving into methods for photo recovery from a corrupted SD card, it is essential to find the exact cause of such data loss. Some main reasons why photos may disappear are:
- Camera Errors: Sudden camera shutdown or software glitch can interrupt the transfer or saving process, and lead to file corruption or deletion.
- Improper Ejection: Removing the SD card when the camera is still writing data can cause data corruption.
- Physical Damage: SD cards are delicate and can get physically damaged due to exposure to extreme temperatures, water, etc. In such cases, all its stored content became inaccessible.
- Accidental Formatting: Formatting the SD card of your camera unintentionally that too without any backup can delete all the files.
- Virus or Malware: Connecting the SD card to a virus-infected device can corrupt or delete the stored files.
How do I Restore Photos from an SD Card After Camera Malfunction?
When you find photos missing from your camera’s SD card, it is important to avoid saving new files or performing any actions that may overwrite the card’s storage. Now, proceed with the below SD card recovery methods one-by-one to restore your lost pictures:
Method 01: Use a Photo Recovery Software
Using a reliable and trusted photo recovery software is the best approach to recover deleted photos. Stellar Photo Recovery is a versatile tool, which allows you to recover photos deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, or any other reason. Not only photos, you can use this amazing software to recover deleted video and audio files of various file formats.
- The Stellar Photo Recovery software offers a user-friendly interface which can help you to recover deleted multimedia files in a few simple clicks.
- The software supports the recovery of photos even from encrypted or formatted storage devices.
- It allows you to preview the recoverable files after completion of the scanning process.
- It is 100% safe and secure software, allowing recovery of lost files in three simple steps.
Here’s how to recover photos from an SD card after a camera malfunction using the Stellar Photo Recovery software:
Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Photo Recovery software on your Windows PC or Mac. Also, connect the camera’s SD card to that device.
Step 2: Launch the software and from the homepage, select the storage drive where the deleted photo was earlier stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is completed, preview the recoverable files and choose the photos you need to restore.
Step 4: Click the Recover button to save selected photos to a safe location (avoid saving them back to the same SD card).
Method 02: Use Command-Line Recovery (For Advanced Users)
If you have expertise with Windows built-in Command Prompt utility, use it to recover deleted photos. Follow the below steps to recover your lost photos from your SD card via CMD:
- Firstly, connect an SD card to your computer using a reliable card reader.
- Press the Windows + R keys, type CMD in the search box and hit Enter to launch Command Prompt.
- Now, type the command chkdsk D: /f (replace D: with your SD card’s drive letter) and press the Enter key.
Wait till the process is completed. Once done, check if CHKDSK fixes the file system errors and attempt to recover lost files.
Method 03: Update/Reinstall the Drives
Sometimes, your photos are not actually deleted, but it is just an outdated driver on your PC which prevents you from accessing or viewing those photos. In such cases, you can update or reinstall the driver by following the below steps:
- Start by right-clicking on My Computer/ This PC and then select the Manage
- Now, click on Device Manager from the left pane.
- Double-click on the Disk Drives option from the list. Then, locate and right-click on the name of your removable drive.
- Click the Uninstall option from the context menu and hit OK.
After driver uninstallation, disconnect the SD card from your device and restart the PC. Again, connect your SD card to your computer and check if it is detected. If yes, browse through different folders in the SD card to ensure you can access the stored files.
Method 03: Check Previous Backups to Recover Photos
Having a backup of your deleted photos before their deletion can also be a life saviour. If you are good at maintaining backup of the important files on your device, check these backups to restore lost data. Here are common backup options you can check:
- Cloud Services: You might have synced your device with cloud backup platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Check these cloud accounts for your lost photos.
- External Storage: Check if you have copies of your photos on external hard drives or USB drives. If backup is available, save the required file back to your device.
Additional Tips to Avoid Data Loss on SD Cards
Recovering lost photos from an SD card after a camera malfunction can be easy and quick using the aforementioned SD card recovery methods, but try avoiding such data loss instances from your end. Here are some tips that can help you to avoid losing your photos in the future:
- Invest in High-Quality SD cards: Always prefer using SD cards of reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Kingston for reliable performance.
- Regularly Backup Your Photos: Maintain regular backup of your photos to a computer, cloud storage, or external drive.
- Eject Safely: Always turn off your camera properly or use the “eject” option on your computer before removing the SD card.
- Update Camera Firmware: Keep your camera firmware updated to minimize malfunctions.
Final Thoughts
Losing photos from an SD card, especially when it contains something precious, can be painful. However, you can easily recover lost photos using the right photo recovery software tools and techniques. By acting quickly, identifying the exact cause, or using reliable recovery software, you can retrieve your precious memories. Once the photos are recovered, save them in a safe location to minimize the risk of data loss in the future.
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoData.Network Vertical Generative Ai. Empower Yourself. Access Here.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- PlatoESG. Carbon, CleanTech, Energy, Environment, Solar, Waste Management. Access Here.
- PlatoHealth. Biotech and Clinical Trials Intelligence. Access Here.
- BlockOffsets. Modernizing Environmental Offset Ownership. Access Here.
- Source: Plato Data Intelligence.
