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How to Format SD Cards for Canon Camera Without Any Issues

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Nov 11, 2024 • Filed to: SD Card Solutions • Proven solutions

Q: SD card full but no files?
"I just came back from taking photos with my camera yesterday. I wanted to transfer my pictures to the computer. Sadly, when I connected my SD card to the computer, an error occurred that "SD card full, but no files," which is surprising for me as I've not encountered an issue like this before. I cannot access my data on the SD card. This error keeps annoying me every time I try to copy my images file from the SD card."

No need to worry. Same as every other issue of SD cards, this is also repairable. SD cards have a short life span, and usually, when used for a while, issues like these are more likely to pop up. You don't have to stress yourself. Your data is recoverable. There are some certain causes to this issue, "SD card full but no file," which you need to learn to protect yourself in the future from an error like these. Furthermore, there are multiple tips to deal with this dilemma. All you need to do is read them carefully and apply them to your current scenario.

Part 1: Why does my camera SD card say full but no file?

Many users of the SD card find this issue disturbing and ask the possible reasons for this problem. Many users recently ask for reasons to learn from them not to put their valuable data at risk. You might be using different storage capacity SD cards, and they may be of diverse manufacturers, but they all have the same common causes. These are some common causes of the issue "SD card full but no files":


Part 2: Recover files in case of SD card full but can't see files

Surely, you will be seeking access to your data as soon as possible because only you know its worth. If you want to recover your data, for example, Videos, pictures, or even any other files, you need to download Recoverit data recovery software to get access to your data in no time. Your data will be fully recovered.

Recoverit Data Recovery is the most amazing data recovery software. It is more reliable than any other software. It is surprisingly free software to rescue the data from your SD card, no matter if it is corrupt or damage. It helps you get back all your valuable documents, emails, photos, videos, and audio files, quickly and easily from the laptop, recycle bin/trash, internal hard drive, external storage media, and even a crashed computer. Recoverit Ultimate even helps you recover fragmented video and repair corrupt/broken/damaged video. Recoverit data recovery software is the best source to get you out of this dilemma.

Key features

Steps to recover data from SD card by Recoverit data recovery:

There are various steps for recovering your data, but downloading the software is the first step. We can take recovering your video as an example of how amazingly this software does work. Once you are done with that, follow the given steps below:

Step 1: Run the software to recover your data.

select the format sd card location

Step 2: Furthermore, you have to select the location of the file you have to recover, but don't forget to press "OK."

Step 3: After selecting the location, press the "recover" button to scan.

scan the formatted sd card files

Step 4: Wait for the scan to be completed.

try deep scan

Step 5: When your data is scanned, you should preview your rescued data, preview some recoverable videos.

preview and recover files from formatted sd card

Enhanced recovery function of Recoverit

Video files are different from any other type of data. Sometimes, you might find the video corruption after the preview using the software. Don't worry from now on. If so, Recoverit reminds and works for you. Recoverit Data Recovery Ultimate supports the Enhanced Recovery feature. It scans, gathers, and matches the fragments of your corrupt videos and thus ensures most of your videos are recovered from DSLR, Digital cameras, Drones, Action Cameras, camcorders, SD card, PC, HDD, or any other source.

All you have to do is click "Enhanced recovery."

advanced video recovery

Steps to Repair Corrupted Video with Recoverit

Moreover, Recoverit's Video Repair is powerful video repair software for repairing corrupt, broken or damaged MOV, MP4, M2TS, MKV, MTS, 3GP, AVI, FLV file formats. It supports two repair modes. Quick repair is to repair various video errors. The enhanced repair can repair your corrupt videos by analyzing the same device's sample video's data and technology hot. The video repair software is widely utilized by users who want their videos to be completely recovered in a short time.

Step 1: Add the corrupt video you want to recover using the Recoverit video repair software.

add corrupted video from sd card

Step 2. Now you are up to repair the video. After selecting "repair."

repairing videos

Step 3. Lastly, you can preview the video that the software has recovered for you once you have pressed "Ok."

preview the repaired video


Part 3: Show hidden files on the camera SD card with CMD.

As of now, you know the causes that the data on your SD card might be hidden. What you have to do is to gain access to your SD card's hidden data. In this method, you will need your computer/laptop to use CMD to gain access to data. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Properly connect your SD card with your computer/laptop.

Step 2: If you are using Windows 10 or 7, just press the Windows and R keys simultaneously.

Step 3: In the run box, type [CMD] and press "enter."

Step 4: Now type this command -h-r-s/s/d G, replace "G" with your hard drive letter.

show hidden file attrib command

Step 5: now check the files that were previously hidden.


Part 4: Access SD card files directly in the DCIM folder

You might have already tried all the above solutions, and hopefully, you would have found your solutions, but if you are still stuck in the issue. Try this concise method to access your data by just accessing it directly using the default path;

Step 1: Connect your SD card with the computer.

Step 2: Open Windows explorer.

Step 3: Go to tools and the folder options.

Step 4: In folder options, go to the "view" tab.

show hidden files

Step 5: Check the option "Show hidden files, folders, and drives."

Step 6: Press "ok" and access your data directly in DCIM.


Part 5: Format camera SD card in the correct way

Lastly, if you want your SD card to be formatted, you better do it correctly if you want to do this action. Formatting is a sensitive process for the SD cards, but if you think of trying any other ways to format your SD cards, which are not preferable, they might damage the card. So, the correct ways are given below for your ease.

1. In Windows explorer

You can successfully format your SD card with Windows explorer. This is a relatively easier way to format the SD card. These steps will guide you properly;

Step 1: Press "Windows key+ E" to reach Windows explorer. Click on "the PC" now.

Step 2: Now right-click on your SD card drive.

Step 3: Now select the option "format."

sd card format

Step 4: When you will see the format window, you will select the file system. NTFS or FAT32 is for 32 GB SD cards and exFAT for 64 GB SD cards.

Step 5: Click "start."

Step 6: Your SD card will be formatted in no time.

2. With windows disk manager

Okay, so this is the next correct way to format your SD card using your computer. Your window disk manager also has the quality to format your SD card. Go step by step for your solution.

Step 1: Right-click on "This PC" or "computer," you will see the option "management" select it.

Step 2: Select "disk management" now.

Step 3: Now you have to right-click on your SD card, further select "format."

format drive in disk management

Step 4: You will have a format window in front of you. Check the box of quick format.

Step 5: Moving on, you need to choose a file system and allocation unit size.

Step 6: Lastly, click "ok" to proceed.

Recoverit author

Eleanor Reed

staff Editor

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