How to Recover & Repair SD Card/USB Drive's Partition?

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SD cards and USB drives are essential tools for storing and transferring data. From family photos to important documents and work files, they often contain irreplaceable information. But what happens when your SD card or USB drive becomes unreadable, unrecognized, or seems to have lost all its data?

Partition issues are among the most common causes of this type of device failure. Fortunately, with the right tools and knowledge, you can recover lost data and repair your storage device's partition structure. This comprehensive article will guide you through exactly how to do that.

Understand SD Card/USB Drive Partition Issues

What is a Partition?

A partition is a logical division on a storage device. It helps operating systems locate and manage data efficiently. Your SD card or USB drive may only have one partition, or it could be split into multiple ones (e.g., for booting or encryption purposes).

Common Partition Problems

• Corruption from sudden removal or power failure
• Accidental deletion or formatting
• File system errors or logical damage
• Virus/malware attacks
• Bad sectors or wear over time

Signs of Partition Issues

• The drive doesn't show up in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS)
• You’re prompted to format the disk before using it
• The drive appears as RAW, unallocated, or blank
• Files or folders are missing, or access is denied

Initial Troubleshooting Steps to Fix USB/SD Card Partition

Before diving into recovery software, try these quick checks:

1. Try Different Ports or Systems

Connect your SD card or USB drive to a different USB port or computer. Sometimes, the issue lies with the port or the computer's drivers.

2. Check Disk Management or Disk Utility

On Windows:

• Press Win + X > Click Disk Management
• See if the drive is listed as "unallocated" or "RAW"

On macOS:

• Go to Disk Utility from Utilities via Applications.
• See if the drive is recognized and how it’s formatted

3. Use Command-Line Tools

On Windows, open Command Prompt and run:

• diskpart to check partition structure
• chkdsk [drive letter]: /f to fix file system errors

On macOS, use Terminal:

• diskutil list to view devices
• diskutil repairDisk [disk identifier] for repairs

How to Recover USB Drive/SD Card Partition Data?

If your data is inaccessible due to partition loss or corruption, perform data recovery before attempting any formatting.

1. Use Data Recovery Software to Recovery Lost or Inaccessible Data

Donemax Data Recovery is able to recover deleted, formatted and inaccessible data from corrupted or lost SD card/USB drive's partition.

1. Download and install Donemax Data Recovery on your computer and connect the SD card/USB drive to the same computer.
    Download for Win  Download for Mac
2. Open Donemax Data Recovery, choose the corrupted or lost partition of the USB drive/SD card.

3. Click on Scan button. Donemax Data Recovery will deeply scan the partition and find all recoverable files.

4. Once the scan gets finished, select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save the files.

💡 Note: Never recover files to the same device - always use a different storage location to prevent overwriting.

2. Use TestDisk for Partition Recovery

TestDisk is a free, open-source utility that's extremely effective for partition recovery.

Steps:

1. Download and install TestDisk
2. Open TestDisk in terminal or command prompt

3. Select your SD card or USB drive
4. Choose [Analyse] to detect lost partitions
5. If found, select [Write] to restore the partition table
6. Reboot and access your data

TestDisk can recover deleted partitions, fix boot sectors, and rebuild partition tables.

How to Repair Corrupted SD Card/USB Drive's Partitions?

If the partition still exists but is corrupted, use these built-in tools to repair it.

Repair USB Drive/SD Card Partition on Windows

1. CHKDSK Utility

Use chkdsk to check and fix file system errors (Replace X with the actual drive letter):

chkdsk X: /f /r /x

• /f: Fixes errors
• /r: Locates bad sectors
• /x: Dismounts the drive if needed

2. Disk Management

• Assign a new drive letter

• Check if the file system is readable
• If the file system is RAW, consider recovery first before formatting

Repair USB Drive/SD Card Partition on macOS

1. Disk Utility

• Open Disk Utility and select your drive
• Click First Aid > Run

• macOS will attempt to verify and repair the partition

2. Terminal Commands

Use fsck (File System Check):

sudo fsck_hfs -fy /dev/disk4s1

Make sure to replace the disk identifier with the one for your device.

Rebuild or Reformat the USB/SD Card Partition

If recovery fails and the drive cannot be repaired, your only option might be to reformat and create a new partition.

Steps to Format and Rebuild Partition

On Windows:

1. Go to Disk Management
2. Select New Simple Volume with a right-click on the unallocated space.

3. Comply the wizard to format (choose exFAT or FAT32 for compatibility)
4. Assign a drive letter

On macOS:

1. Open Disk Utility
2. Select your drive > Erase

3. Choose a format (e.g., exFAT for compatibility)

4. Re-partition if necessary using the Partition tab

⭐ Important: Formatting erases all data. Use recovery tools first to salvage any critical files before proceeding.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Tips for SD Card/USB Partition Repair

Sometimes, standard tools and methods may not fully resolve your partition issues. Here are more advanced approaches and insights:

1. Using Linux Live USB for Recovery

If Windows or macOS tools fail to detect or repair your partition, consider booting your computer with a Linux Live USB (e.g., Ubuntu). Linux often handles drive errors differently and might be able to read or recover data when other systems can’t.

• Boot from a Linux USB stick without installing it
• Open GParted (a partition manager) or use terminal commands (fdisk, testdisk)
• Attempt to mount the SD card or USB drive
• Copy recoverable files to another storage device

2. Checking for Physical Damage

Partition problems sometimes stem from hardware faults:

• Inspect the physical connectors for dirt or damage
• Try a different card reader or USB port
• Listen for unusual sounds (in external hard drives) which may indicate mechanical failure
• In case of physical damage, professional data recovery services might be needed

3. Deep Scan and RAW Recovery

When the partition shows as RAW or completely inaccessible, deep scan recovery tools become essential:

• Tools like Donemax Data Recovery scan for file signatures to recover data ignoring the file system
• This method can recover files but may lose original filenames and folder structures
• Best used after partition recovery attempts fail

Prevent Future USB/SD Card Partition Issues

Data loss is often preventable with the right habits. Here are key tips to protect your USB drives and SD cards:

1. Always Eject Safely

Avoid unplugging your device without using the "Safely Remove" or "Eject" function. Improper removal can cause corruption or data loss.

2. Don't Interrupt File Transfers

Ensure data transfer operations are complete before removing your drive or turning off your computer.

3. Keep Backups

Regularly back up important files to cloud storage or another device.

4. Avoid Public/Untrusted Computers

Malware or improper drivers on public systems can damage your USB or SD card.

5. Use Antivirus Software

Protect your system and external devices from viruses that can corrupt file systems.

6. Check Drive Health Periodically

Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo (Windows) or DriveDx (macOS) to monitor drive health and detect early signs of failure.

Conclusion

Partition loss or corruption on SD cards and USB drives can be stressful - especially when valuable data is at stake. However, with the right approach, recovery is often possible. Begin with basic diagnostics, then move on to trusted recovery tools like Donemax Data Recovery or TestDisk. If necessary, repair or rebuild the partition using system utilities. And most importantly, build smart habits to avoid data loss in the future.

With this guide, you now have a solid plan to diagnose, recover, and repair partitions - and protect your storage devices going forward.

FAQs About USB/SD Card Partition Recovery & Fixes

Q1: Can I recover data from a physically damaged SD card?

A: Physical damage is tricky. Basic software can't help. You'll likely need a professional recovery service that specializes in hardware repair.

Q2: What causes SD card partition loss?

A: Sudden removal, virus infection, formatting errors, file system corruption, or even malware can cause partitions to disappear or become inaccessible.

Q3: Is it safe to use free recovery tools?

A: Many free tools like Donemax Data Recovery, TestDisk and PhotoRec are safe and widely trusted. However, always download from official sites and avoid unknown sources to prevent malware risks.

Q4: How to avoid overwriting lost data during recovery?

A: Never save recovered files back onto the same device. Use a different drive to avoid overwriting sectors containing lost data.