Fix 'Can't Format Memory/Micro SD Card' Error on Windows PC/Android Phone

Summary

This page describes reasons and solutions to all kinds of SD card is not formatting issues. The occurrence of the problem can be seen on an Android phone, a Windows PC and a digital camera. Anyway, you are going to complete the format with effective tools as recommended here. One accompanying issue with not formatted SD card is data loss. Whenever formatting SD card erased data, or you cannot access data because of being unable to format, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for recovery.

Some Scenarios of SD Card Not Formatting

We use so many types of a memory card in portable electronic devices, such as micro SD card (also known as TF card) on an Android phone/tablet/music player, SD card on a digital camera (and DSLR)/video game consoles...

A memory card plays the role of expansive storage, backup storage and so on. And one fact of using a portable SD card is the short lifespan, especially you use it on multiple devices. After frequently pulling in and pulling out, it's very likely to corrupt, asking you to format it, to get ready to use the next time. Usually, a corrupted memory card on different devices sends different errors. Following are some examples.

On a camera:

• Card cannot be accessed. Reinsert/change the card or format card with camera.

On an Android phone:

• SD card unexpectedly removed.
• SD card is damaged. Try reformatting it.
• Blank SD card or has unsupported file system.

On a PC:

• Windows was unable to complete the format.
• SD card shows invalid file system (RAW).
• The disk is not formatted, do you want to format it now?

Recover Data from SD Card with Formatting Error

Formatting SD card will erase data on it, but if you don't perform the quick format as the error message suggested, you cannot access data at all. In both situations, when you have important photos, documents, music, games or other types of files you're unwilling to lose, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for recovery.

It's acknowledged to be the best SD card file recovery software that enables you to fully restore all missing and hidden files from the inaccessible SD card, USB or even external hard drive with a few simple clicks.

Just download and install it on your PC and try to recover data with the guide here.

Step 1. Select the memory card and scan

Connect the memory card to your computer and launch EaseUS card recovery software on your PC. Click "Scan" to start looking for your lost data.

Step 2. Wait for the scanning process to finish.

After the scanning process, you can check and filter wanted files in this program. Click "Filter" if you are looking for a specific file type.

Step 3. Recover wanted files.

You can directly double-click the files to preview and see if the files are all right. After this, you can choose wanted files and click "Recover" to restore them to a secure location on your PC or other external storage devices.

Practical Solutions to SD Card Not Formatted Error [for Windows users]

Before going deep to apply the troubleshooting methods, there is one simple examination and fixes for you to check, if you're using a micro SD card which has a lock switch, make sure that it's not on. This is an essential step to remove SD card write protection.

Next, try the provided solutions one by one until your SD card is formatted eventually. Whatever error message in the above list you've encountered, the two general troubleshooting methods are applicable. 

Method 1. Format and reset SD card to FAT32/NTFS

Now that you can retry to use Disk Management or CMD command to format the SD card on your computer again:

1. Connect and insert the SD card into your computer.
2. Press Windows + R keys and type: [diskmgmt.msc] and hit Enter.
3. In the Disk Management, locate and right-click on the SD card that you want to format, choose Format Volume...
4. Reset the file system on your SD card into FAT32 or NTFS and click OK to confirm.

Besides Windows Disk Management, you can also format SD card using cmd and SD card formatter.

Method 2. Repair bad sectors and file system error on memory/SD card

1. Insert the SD card that you want to format to your PC.
2. Press Windows + X keys and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".
3. Sign in as an administrator, and type: [diskpart] hit Enter.
4. Type: [chkdsk D: /r ] and hit Enter. (Replace D with the drive letter of your SD card.)

Wait for the process to complete and then all bad sectors or corrupted file system will all be fixed by this command.

If you don't have any technical know-how and want to minimize data risks, using third-party software could be a better choice. The Command line is suitable for computer professionals since wrong commands can cause severe problems. Therefore, we strongly recommend you try an automatic command line alternative.

EaseUS Tools M is a practical computer fixing tool that is safe and light-weighted. It's a perfect alternative to CHKDSK command. Use this one-click tool to solve your computer issues.

To fix file system error or disk error:

Step 1:  DOWNLOAD EaseUS Tools M for Free and install it.

Step 2: Open the software and select the "File Fixing" option. 

On the right pane, choose the drive and check off the box at the bottom - "Check and fix file system error". Then, click "Fix" to start repairing the error.

Step 3: Wait until the operation completes. Wait until the operation completes. After the operation completes, click the "View" button to check the drive.