How to Fix "Preparing SD Card Checking for Errors"

Eleanor Reed

Jul 17, 2024 • Filed to: SD Card Solutions • Proven solutions

Getting an error message on screen like preparing SD card checking for errors, surely your SD is either corrupted or facing any installation issue. Possible reasons that may cause the error may be any physical damage to the SD card. While transferring files, the SD card is removed inappropriately, using the same SD card on multiple devices that impose the risk of malware or faulty installation of SD card in the device. These all reasons can corrupt the SD card, and next time while using it, you will see the error, i.e., preparing an SD card checking for errors.

The following are some of the solutions that can help to resolve preparing SD card checking for errors.

Part 1: How to Fix the 'Preparing SD Card Checking for Errors' Issue

Listing the potential solutions below to fix the preparing SD card checking for errors, these quick fixes help to sort out the problem. One should also consider backing up the data so that the backup is available in case of any data loss.

Method 1. Check if your SD card is broken or corrupted

The first method is to check for SD card corruption or any physical damage. In both conditions, the SD card will show an error and would not work properly. To check if either is the case, eject your SD card and insert it into any other device, e.g., PC. If the PC is unable to read the card, it is for sure that your SD card is corrupted. If, in case, the SD card works properly, then it is your device that is causing problems and not letting the SD card work normally.

Method 2. Remove and re-mount SD card on Android device

Sometimes removing and then remounting the SD card can serve the purpose. Here is how you can do it.

Step 1: Remove the SD card from the device and then reinsert it.

Step 2: Restart your device.

Step 3: In the main menu of your device, go to Settings, then select Storage and lastly click Mount SD card.

Step 4: Once mounted, restart your device to check if the preparing SD card checking for errors is resolved.

Method 3. Format SD card on Android device or PC

If both above-mentioned methods fail to work for you, and you are still getting a message, i.e., preparing sd card checking for errors, the only solution left is to format the SD card. If you are tending to format the SD card, make sure you have the backup for your data on the device. One way to format the SD card is as follows:

Step 1: Remove the SD card from the device and insert it into the PC's card reader.

Step 2: Click on the location of the SD card on My computer.

Step 3: Select the SD card and click on the menu. Select Format by clicking Start.

Step 4: Once the formatting is complete, you can now back up all the data on the SD card.

Part 2: Recover Data from Broken or Corrupted SD Card with Recoverit Data Recovery

Want to recover the data from the broken or corrupted SD card? Recoverit Data Recovery is the best third-party application software to help recover the data in no time.

Being an apt software for recovering the data from the formatted, broken, or corrupted SD cards, RecoverIt provides recovered data with their original names and date of creation. Providing a wide range of compatible media formats, you can recover the media. It provides deep scanning and a preview before saving the data. The following are steps to recover a corrupted media with RecoverIt.

Step 1: Start with selecting a location.

Step 2: Proceeding with scanning the location.

Step 3: Once the scan is complete, go for looking at the preview.

Part 3: How to Extend SD Card Life and Prevent SD Card Damaged and Losing Data from SD Card

Want to extend the life of your SD and protect it from being corrupted? Formatting, corruption, or any damage to the SD card may ultimately result from its data loss that is not something favorable. Generally, a standard lifetime for an SD card is five years, and further, it depends on the model of care. The following are some tips with which you can protect your SD card from corrupting or formatting to increase its life.

1. Before inserting the SD card into any electronic device, it should be shut down properly as the supply (electric current) fluctuation can affect the SD card or its processor.
2. Temperature is another factor that counts a lot. A too cold or too hot environment can affect the normal functioning of the SD card. Keep the SD card away from the magnetic field, as this can lead to data loss.
3. Using the same SD card for multiple devices means inserting and ejecting the card several times. Any improper insertion or ejection would end up corrupting the SD card due to physical damage.
4. While downloading data directly from the internet, make sure to save it elsewhere than the SD card. Once downloaded, you can copy the data to the SD card.
5. SD card device should be fully charged all the time.
6. Do not bend or scratch the SD card.
7. Do not make changes to SD card content directly.