How to Format Write Protected SD Card [6 Ways]

If you're experiencing a "The disk is write protected" error while trying to format a write-protected SD card, USB, or external hard drive, there are alternative methods to format it without removing the write protection. You can try using a different operating system, such as a Linux live USB, to format the drive. Additionally, you can use a third-party software like EaseUS Partition Master or MiniTool Partition Wizard to format the drive. If none of these methods work, you may need to physically remove the write protection mechanism or take the drive to a professional for assistance.

To recover your SD card, follow this page to learn how to remove the write protect feature and format it using a free SD card formatter, making it usable again on your own.

PAGE CONTENT:

Part 1. Remove Write Protection from SD Card [6 Ways]
Part 2. Format Write Protected SD Card (after Removing Write Protection)

What Is a Write Protected SD Card, How Do I Format It

To format the write-protected SD card, try removing the card from the computer, taking out any protective covers, and then reinserting it. If that doesn't work, try using a different card reader or a different port on your computer. If the issue persists, you may need to use a tool like Disk Management or the built-in format function in Windows to format the card, or try using a third-party formatting tool. If none of these steps resolve the issue, it's possible that the SD card is faulty and may need to be replaced.

If your SD card becomes write-The SD card is write-protected, so you can't write any new data to it, delete files, or format it. As a result, it becomes unusable.

Quick Fix for Write Protection Removal on SD Card:

Check if the SD card is accessible.
Unplug and replug the SD card.
Reconnect the SD Card to a new computer.
Switch the USB port, and change an SD card adapter.

If the SD card becomes accessible, congratulations. If it's still write-protected, follow the 6 fixes from Part 1 to successfully resolve the issue.

Part 1. How to Remove Write Protection from SD Card - 6 Ways

If you're struggling to remove write protection from your SD card on Windows 10/8/7, don't worry, there are 6 ways to help you release your worries! You can try using the built-in Disk Management tool, a third-party software like EaseUS, or a command prompt to remove the write protection.

[1] Run CMD Command

[2] Use SD Card Physical Switch

[3] Take Device for Repair

[4] Run AntiVirus Software

[5] Use CMD Alternative Tool

[6] Run Registry Editor

To secure your SD card, first, back up all data to a safe location. Then, format the card to a secure state by following the steps in Part 2, which will completely erase all data, making it inaccessible to anyone. This will ensure your sensitive information remains protected.

Fix 1. Manually Remove Write Protection from SD Card using CMD Command

When a storage device becomes read-only, it's often due to a write-protected error. To resolve this, the read-only state can be cleared using a command line, effectively making the device writable again.

1. Go to Settings > Storage & USB > USB computer connection.

Step 1. Connect your SD card to the computer first.

Step 2. Press Win + R keys, type cmd in the Run dialog and click "OK".

Step 3. Type diskpart and hit Enter.

Step 4. Type the following command and hit Enter each time:

list disk
To rewrite the partition table on your SD card, you need to select the disk number that corresponds to the write-protected SD card. This is usually denoted by a "#" symbol in the disk selection menu, and the number following it is the actual disk number. For example, if you see "select disk 1" and the SD card is write-protected, you would select disk 1.
attributes disk clear readonly

After running Diskpart, wait for the process to complete and close the program. Once done, you'll be able to access your data again.

Fix 2. Remove Write Protection on Locked SD Card with Physical Switch

If there is a physical write-To remove write protection from an SD card using its physical switch, locate the switch on the side or bottom of the card. Flip the switch to the unlocked position, which is usually marked with a symbol or color indicating it's unlocked.

To unlock a write-protected SD card, you can try the following steps:

Step 1. Unplug your SD card from the PC and find the physical switch.

Step 2. If the switch is on the lock side, switch it from ON to OFF to unlock the SD card.

After this, the write protection should be turned off.

Step 3. Reconnect the SD card to your computer and see if you can access files saved on the card.

If your SD card doesn't have a switch or the SD card is still write-protected after unlocking the card, try using a different card reader, checking for physical damage, and resetting the card. If none of these solutions work, it may be a faulty SD card and it's best to replace it.

Fix 3. Unlock Write Protected SD Card with Decryption Software or Take It for Repair

If your SD card becomes encrypted or locked due to third-party software or physical damage, there are two potential solutions. You can try to recover it using data recovery software, which can scan the card for recoverable data and potentially restore access to your files.

#1. Run decryption software to unlock the write-protected SD card.

To resolve the issue with the SD card, take it to a local repair center that specializes in data recovery and storage device repair. This will allow the experts to assess the damage and provide a quote for the necessary repairs. If the damage is minor, they may be able to recover the data and restore the card to its original functionality.

Fix 4. Remove Write Protection from SD Card with Anti-Virus Software

Unknown viruses or malware can sometimes encrypt your device, adding write protection and preventing you from accessing your saved data.

Here are the steps to remove write protection viruses from your memory SD card:

Step 1. Download and run anti-virus software on your computer.

Recommended antivirus software includes Norton Antivirus, McAfee, ESET NOD32, Avira, Avast, and AVG, among others.

Step 2. Insert or keep the SD card connected to your PC.

Step 3. Run anti-virus software to scan the SD card, cleaning up and removing the write protection virus.

Fix 5. Fix SD Card Write-Protected Error using CMD Alternative Tool

If you're not tech-savvy, don't worry - there are graphical solutions to help you remove write-protection from devices like hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards, making them accessible and usable again.

Fix 6. Remove SD Card Write Protection using Registry Editor

Registry Editor can be used to remove write protection from a device, but it can also cause system instability if used incorrectly. This could potentially lead to the OS crashing.

To remove SD card write protection with Registry Editor, follow these steps: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies key, double-click on the "WriteProtect" value and change its value to 0.

Step 1. Type regedit in the Search bar and press Enter. Click "Yes" to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies.

Step 3. Locate StorageDevicePolicies.

Step 4. If you can't find the StorageDevicePolices folder, create one:

Right-1. Click on "Control Panel".

Step 5. Right-click on StorageDevicePolicies and click "New" > "DWORD Value". Name it as "WriteProtect".

Step 6. Double-click on "WriteProtect" and change the Value Data to "0" and then click "OK."

Step 7. Close the "Registry Editor" and restart the PC.

After this, re-1. Insert the memory stick into your computer.

Part 2. How to Format Write Protected SD Card after Write Protection Removal

1. Format the SD card to ensure it's clean and ready for new data, and 2.

1. To protect valuable files on an inaccessible SD card, open it and transfer the data to a safe location. If the SD card remains unresponsive, consider using data recovery software to retrieve the files.

2. To ensure secure data storage, format the write-protected SD card.

Here, you'll need a professional SD card formatting tool for help. Qiling Partition Master Free with its powerful partition management feature can help.

Free Download

The tool allows you to format various types of storage devices, including SD cards, memory cards, and USB drives, as well as external hard drives, after removing their write protection, all within a few easy steps.

To format a USB drive or external hard drive, click on the device you want to format and select the "Format" option from the context menu. This will initiate the formatting process.

Set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32), and Cluster size, then click "Proceed".

Once the operation is complete, you can use the SD card to save or transfer files again.

Causes of SD Card Write-Protected Error

Write protection is a physical mechanism that prevents users from modifying or erasing valuable data on a storage device, rejecting any operations on it.

The main causes of SD card write-protected error include physical damage to the card, incorrect settings on the device, and software issues that prevent writing to the card. Additionally, some SD cards may have a physical write protection switch that needs to be turned off, and in some cases, the card may be locked by the operating system or a third-party app, preventing writing to the card. Furthermore, issues with the card reader or the device's USB port can also cause write-protected errors.

Physical damage
SD card gets encrypted by virus or malware
SD card or memory card is locked
SD card gets locked by third-party write-protection software
The SD card may have bad sectors or an internal file system issue, which can be checked using the "chkdsk" command in Windows or the "fsck" command in Linux. This can be done by right-clicking on the SD card in the computer's file explorer, selecting "Properties," and then clicking on the "Tools" tab.

After identifying the causes of the errors, you can also take steps to prevent them on your storage devices. This may involve turning off the lock switch, running antivirus software, and setting up a proper file system to minimize the risk of errors. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure the reliability and longevity of your storage devices.

Fix SD Card Write Protected Error Is Possible, Start Here Now

This page provides 6 fixes to help you remove write protection from a write-protected SD card on your own, which can also be applied to removing write protection on USB, internal, or external hard drives.

After removing write protection from your device, set a proper file system to your SD card, USB, or hard drives, such as FAT32 for SD smaller than 32GB or exFAT for SD larger than 64GB, using Qiling Partition Master.

Free Download

With the software, you can easily manage your SD card by resizing the partition, formatting it to FAT32, converting RAW to NTFS, and even fixing and formatting a write-protected SD card, making it possible to start the process now.