How to Restore Files from Memory Card Showing MSDC Sector Error?

Written by Lucy John on February 09, 2023

User 1: “Hello, I was listening music on my mobile and suddenly songs stopped playing. When I looked at playlist, it was empty! Then I tried to open my microSD card since it contains all music files, pictures, videos and many other vital files. But I got a message “MSDC read sector error in mobile”. Can anyone tell me what exactly the problem is? How can I fix it?”

User 2: “I am facing problem with my memory card. Whenever I try to access the card, it screens “MSDC write sector error”. What can I do? I have some important data saved on the card. Somehow I need to repair it. Please help me”.

What is MSDC Read Sector or MSDC Write Sector Error in Memory Card?

MSDC stands for Mass Storage Device Class. It is the most significant part of camera, which is required to bond camera and computer.

If there is any damage/corruption in internal File System structure of the card then MSDC fails to detect the card, so MSDC read sector or MSDC write sector error in memory card arises. Your card internal File System gets damaged/broken due to several reasons and they are listed below.

What are the Causes for Memory Card Corruption?

• Formatting the card improperly
• Brutal virus invasion
• Handling the card inappropriately
• Corrupted header file
• Accumulated bad sectors on card
• Extended number of read/write cycles

How to Fix this MSDC Sector Error?

Method 1: Use Windows ‘Error Checking’ Feature

Windows ‘Error Checking’ feature scans the storage drives for the file system errors and fixes them. You can use the ‘Error Checking’ to fix SD card corruption due to bad sectors.

Follow the below steps to repair corrupt SD card using ‘Error Checking’:

• Connect the SD card to your PC.
• In Windows Explorer, Right-click on the SD card.
• Select Properties.
• Click on the Tools tab.
• Click Check button.
• After the scan process finishes, follow the onscreen instructions to fix the SD card error.

Method 2: Use Windows Troubleshooter

Try Windows Troubleshooter to fix the SD card with bad sectors. The feature can fix issues related to hardware and drivers.

Follow the below steps to repair bad sectors on SD card:

• Connect the SD card to PC.
• Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshooter
• Select Hardware and Devices and click Run the troubleshooter.
• Wait for the process to finish and next restart your computer. The SD card issue should be resolved.

Method 3: Use CHKDSK Command to Repair Bad Sectors

Chkdsk command checks the file system for logical and physical errors. It fixes the error in the volume if used with the /f or /r parameters. You can also say that it functions as a bad sector repair tool.

First, close all the files on your system to run chkdsk command. Connect the corrupt SD card with the PC and follow the below steps to fix bad sectors in the SD card:

• Open Command Prompt
• Type ‘chkdsk followed by the drive letter of the SD card, a colon and /f. (For example, chkdsk G: /f, here G is the SD card drive letter.)
• Press Enter key.

Wait for the process to finish and next restart the computer. Chkdsk will check for any logical or physical disk errors in the corrupt SD card and fixes them.

Method 4: Use Diskpart in CMD Command

Bad sectors in SD cards can also lead to ‘read-only’ error message. If your SD card is not write-protected, then use diskpart utility to fix the error.

Follow the below steps to fix corrupt SD card using diskpart:

• Connect SD card to Windows PC.
• Click Start > Run. Type cmd.
• Next, type diskpart and press Enter.
• Type list volume. All connected drives get listed.
• Type select volume 2. (Here, ‘2’ represents the letter of your SD card drive.)
• Type attributes disk clear read only and hit Enter.
• Restart your PC. Disconnect and reconnect your SD card.

Method 5: Assign a New Drive Letter

An SD card with bad sectors may not be detected by the computer. You may also receive the error message ‘Please insert the disk into drive E:’

Assign a new drive letter to your SD card by following the given steps:

• Connect the SD card to your PC.
• Press the Windows+R key to open the Run dialog box.
• Type compmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
• In the Computer Management window, under Storage, select Disk Management.
• Right-click on the SD card drive you want to assign a letter.
• Choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
• A dialog box appears, click on Change.
• Check-in Assign following drive letter.
• Select the letter you want to assign to the SD card and click OK.
• Close the Disk Management window. Restart the computer, your SD card should be readable now.

Method 6: Reinstall Drivers

If even after assigning the drive letter, your SD card is not detected by the computer, try reinstalling the drivers. Follow the below steps to reinstall the drivers on the PC:

• Right-click on This PC and click on the Manage option.
• Click the Device Manager option on the left side.
• Double-click Disk Drives. Right-click on the name of your SD card.
• Click Uninstall followed by OK.
• Disconnect the SD card and restart the PC.
• Next, reconnect your SD card to PC. Your PC can now detect the SD card.

Method 7: Unhide Files to Recover Data

try the below steps to unhide them:

• Connect SD card to computer.
• In Windows Explorer, click to follow Tools > Folder options > View.
• Check in Show hidden files, folders & drives option.
• Uncheck Hide protected operating system option.
• Click OK.

All the stored photos, videos, and audio files should be visible now.

Method 8: Format SD Card to Fix Bad Sectors

Formatting deletes all the stored photos and videos stored on SD cards but can also fix bad sectors in the media. It makes your SD card reusable.

You can format the SD card using Windows Explorer or use formatting software such as SD Formatter.

Follow the below steps to format SD card:

• Connect the SD card to PC.
• Double-click on This PC.
• Right-click on your SD card under Devices and drives.
• Select Format to open the Format window.
• Click on File System box. Select the file system from the options.
• Click on Start.

How to Format a Memory Card that is Screening MSDC Sector Error?

Follow the below mentioned steps to format a memory card that is showing MSDC sector error:

• From Start type compmgmt.msc
• Computer Management window comes up
• Go to Storage and click Disk Management
• Select drive that designates your card
• Right click on it and hit Format option
• Opt FAT32 in File System and click OK

How to Recovery Tool for Memory Card Showing Errors:

Yodot Photo Recovery program is an advanced program created for restoring data from memory cards showing any error message. The utility retrieves files from affected card without disturbing its internal structure as well as its data.

The program assists you in recovering data from all types of media cards counting SD, SDHC, TF, CF, etc internal hard disks, external hard drives, USBs, Pen Drives etc. Even if you have formatted your card in order to fix the error that you are facing, then also you can accomplish SD card, memory card or Micro SD card recovery after formatting.

This handy application has simple interface that helps to carryout recovery process without any hindrance. The tool works competently on all Windows operating systems. OS Ventura edition is also provided to aid Macintosh user.

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