How to Format a Write-Protected SD Card?

Have you accidentally deleted any data from your Write Protected SD card? Chances are that you won't be able to make any potential changes. This is mainly because the Write Protected SD card prevents you from making any changes to protect the SD card data. As a result, with Write Protection, you won't be able to overwrite any SD card data.

In this case, you need to ensure the right methods are used to fix it quickly. So, how do you format the Write Protected SD card? You can either do it with software or manually. Whatever method you adopt, it is essential to conduct the steps appropriately.

This blog will help you explore some of the top methods on how to format protected SD card.

What's the Meaning of Write Protection?

You may want to know what does format SD card mean. Write Protection in SD cards refers to the feature that prevents data from being modified and deleted from the storage device. Write Protection usually protects a wide range of storage devices, such as memory cards, disks, and more. This is usually done to protect the integrity and security of the stored information in the data card. As a result, there wouldn't be any increased risk of accidental or unauthorized changes.

Any hardware or software changes can play an important role in implementing Write Protection. For example, it can prevent unauthorized data from being overwritten. One of the main benefits of Write Protection is that it helps safeguard all important information.

How to Remove a Write-Protected SD Memory Card?

Removing Write Protection from SD cards isn't as difficult as it is. It is one of the best methods for solving problems easily. You can follow any of the methods given below for removing Write Protection from the SD card:

Method 1: Toggle the Physical Write Protection Switch

One of the easiest ways to remove Write Protection from the SD is to physically toggle off the Protection Switch. Almost all SD cards today have a lock switch, which is a slider on the left. It is mostly used for locking techniques.

You need to check if your SD card has this switch. Usually, it should be present at the bottom. If it is so, this means that the card is locked and will be write protected. As a result, you won't be able to make any notifications to the SD card.

Below are the steps that you can follow to turn off the SD card by toggling the protection switch:

Step 1: Look on the upper left side of your SD card to check where the switch is.

Step 2: If the switch is moved toward the lock, the memory card is locked.

Step 3: Move the switch back up to unlock the SD card.

Method 2: Remove Write Protection From an SD Card in Properties

If the SD card is not infected by a virus or malware, you will have to try to fix it from the Properties. This is quite an easy and fast procedure, as it helps unlock the Write Protected SD card in a few steps. Nonetheless, this method will not be applicable in the Properties case.

You can disable write protection on SD card from the Write Protection from the Properties. You may follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Open Files Explorer on your computer and look for an SD card.

Step 2: Right-click on the SD card and then look for the Properties option.

Step 3: Now, check for the Write Protection or Read Only option. Then, unselect it.

Method 3: Use CMD Command to Change the Write Protection of the SD Memory Card

If you want to change the Write Protection on your SD card, use CMD. This command prompt will help you easily remove the write protection. It is also one of the easiest ways to unlock the read-only SD card.

You may follow the steps given below to change the format protected SD card using the CMD command option:

Step 1: Switch on your computer and connect the SD card to it.

Step 2: Press the Windows + R key simultaneously to open the Windows dialog box.

Step 3: On the main box, type 'diskpart' and then hit the Enter button on your keyboard.

Step 4: As soon as the new box opens, you need to write the following command:

list disk

select disk # (replace the "#" character with your SD card's number)

attributes disk clear read-only

Method 4: Use the SD Card Protection Removal Tool

If nothing works, it is advisable to use a proper SD card protection removal method. This will help you format the SD card. Several such tools are available online.

Below are the steps that you need to follow to use an SD card protection removal tool to learn how to format protected sd card:

Step 1: Download any write protection removal tool on your device.

Step 2: Connect the SD card to the computer. Let the software read it. Right-click on the SD card option and click on Format Partition.

Step 3: Now, you need to enter the name of the SD card available under Partition Label. Then select the file system and click on the OK option.

Step 4: Now, hit the Apply button and confirm the process by clicking on Ok.

Method 5: Scan your SD card with an antivirus

One of the major reasons you can't modify the SD card is probably the antivirus. If malware or a virus messes with the SD card, it becomes problematic. These are usually unauthorized viruses that can alter your SD card and delete the files.

You should scan if the SD card has any antivirus. Here are the steps that you should follow for scanning the SD card for antivirus and format a protected SD card:

Step 1: Connect the corrupted SD card to the PC using an SD card reader.

Step 2: The antivirus program will eventually detect the SD card automatically. If you need help, you will have to open the program for it to read.

Step 3: Click on the Scan program to initiate the scanning process.

Step 4: If the card does not contain any virus, the software will display a green message showing that there is no malware or virus on the SD card.

Method 6: Use Registry Editor to Disable Write Protection

Registry Editor is a Windows tool that allows users to make changes to the Windows operating system. It allows you to easily disable Write Protection and fix the issue.

The Registry Editor comes with an easy-to-remove Write Protection for the SD card. You may follow the steps given below for disabling Write Protection using the Registry Editor to format protected sd card:

Step 1: On the Start Search bar, type Registry Editor and click on it to open.

Step 2: Once the Registry Navigator opens, type HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Step 3: Now, double-click the WriteProtect option to open the dialog value. In the value box, type 0 and click on the OK option.

Step 4: If the WriteProtect option does not exist, you will have to do so manually.

Step 5: Remove the SD card as soon as you are done. After a few times, connect it again to check if it works.

How Do You Format An Sd Card After Unlocking The Write Protection?

Many people wonder if they can format an SD card after unlocking the Write Protection. The simple answer is yes. Once you have unlocked the write-protected SD card, you cannot only save the information but also use it properly.

After unlocking the Write Protection, you may follow the steps given below to learn how to format protected SD card:

Step 1: Click on the Start panel, type the Run option in the search bar, and click on the Enter button.

Step 2: In the run box, type CMD and then click the OK button.

Step 3: This will open the Command Prompt window. Now, type 'the diskpart' option to run the diskpart utility.

Step 4: Type 'list disk' on the box to locate the drive on the PC.

Step 5: Type 'disk 1'. 1 is usually the digital number that will be saved on the SD card.

Step 6: Now, in the window box, type Clean. When you hit enter, it will erase all data on your SD card.

Step 7: Now create a new partition in the device. Type 'create partition primary' on the screen.

Step 8: On the given screen, type 'select partition 1'. 1 is usually the digital number assigned to the recently created partition.

Step 9: Make the partition active by clicking on Active.

Step 10: Type format fs=NTFS (format fs=fat32) to format the partition across the desired file system.

Why Could an SD Card Be Corrupted Even if Successfully Removed Write Protection?

Once you completely remove write protection from the SD card, you are still likely to face a wide range of problems. In this case, you will receive the message cannot format write protected card. This is mostly because you can modify the data. Even after removing Write Protection, it is not uncommon to face corruption in SD card data.

SD card corruption, however, can happen for a wide range of reasons, such as viruses, malware, disk or file errors, and even file damage. If the SD card is detected, the system will not read it. As a result, the SD card will keep freezing and eventually become empty. Nonetheless, if none of the above methods have worked, you can still try to recover the lost and corrupted SD card files.

Bonus Tip: Recover Corrupted or Deleted Files From an SD Card with Wondershare Recoverit

What should you do if the data is deleted? You may consider recovering the deleted and corrupted file from the SD card using a reliable tool such as Wondershare Recoverit. Wondershare Recoverit comes with a wide range of advanced features that will help you recover a wide range of files, such as videos, photos, and more.

Wondershare Recoverit has a user-friendly interface and is available in 1000+ file formats. Using advanced technology, Recoverit will play an important role in recovering corrupted and deleted files from the SD card. You can use the free version on your macOS and Windows OS.

The free version comes with some features. However, for the paid version, you will not face any limitations. You can download the SD card and proceed with it accordingly. If you have accidentally deleted data from an SD card, you can eventually help to fix the problem. These tools can help to fix the format a protected SD card issue.

Here are the steps through which you can recover the accidentally deleted or corrupted files from an SD card using Wondershare Recoverit:

Step 1: Connect the computer to the SD card and allow the device to read it for some time.

Step 2: Once Wondershare Recoverit is installed in your system, launch it. Visit the Hard Drives and Location option and click on your SD Card. Hit the Start button to initiate the process.

Step 3: This process will start scanning the SD card to check for all the files that are automatically lost. Keep monitoring the process and wait for it to complete.

Step 4: As soon as the scanning process is completed, you can preview the recovered files. During the preview process, you can check if the files are appropriate.

Step 5: After recovering the SD card files, click on Recover and save the system in your desired location.

What Causes the SD Card Write Protected Error?

The SD card may be write protected for a wide range of reasons. It is advisable to identify the cause to fix the problem efficiently. Some of the common causes for which the message cannot format sd card write protected will appear are as follows:

• Switch: Sometimes, the write protection switch on the side of the card can be accidentally moved to a locked position, causing the error.
• Software: Some software policies, such as software settings and policies, might be causing the write protection error on the system, especially across the corporate environment.

• File system corruption: File system corruption or abrupt ejection of the SD card can lead to write Protection. This is usually done to ensure that there'sthe SD card does not sustain further damage.

Conclusion

If your SD card is write protected, you cannot modify any data in the system. This is extremely important to preserve the data. However, it comes with a wide range of challenges, especially when transferring the data.

So, if you start facing any of these challenges, you should adopt these methods to learn how to format protected SD card. These methods can play an important role in overcoming the problems and fixing the SD card issue. As a result, no matter what kind of problem you face, you should be able to fix and recover your data easily.