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Well, if you have come to this page then you must be looking for a solution on how to format write protected micro SD card.

Here you’ll learn the common causes for SD card won’t format issue and apply the quick solutions to fix cannot format SD card write protected. Just follow the step-by-step instruction mentioned below.

But, before I proceed towards its fixes to repair can’t format micro SD card write protected issue, I would like to share a practical scenario with you. And after I read this scenario, I have actually decided to write a blog on this topic.

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So, below find out the few troubleshoot and learn how to get rid of SD card write protection. But before that let us know the causes for SD card won’t format issue.

Causes For Can’t Format SD Card Write Protected

We get several SD card errors, but the solution for all problems is format the card. It says formatting SD card will fix all issues like these. But in such issues, the formatting of the SD card fails.

So, what are those reasons that create the problem of cannot format micro SD card write protected?

Below find out the causes by yourself:

• The already mentioned cause is SD card is write protected and hence Windows PC does not allow to format it.
• May be your SD card contains a bad sector and got corrupted.
• Using the same card on several multiple devices and hence it might get infected with a virus.

How To Remove Write Protection From SD Card

It is actually a little difficult task to erase a write-protected SD card and make it usable again. Once an SD memory card is write-protected, it means that you will not be able to use it with full control – you will not be able to write data or rename files and folders. Any operation performed on it will get rejected such as you will not be able to delete files on it or format it.

In such situation, your SD card becomes useless. Hence, you have to first remove write protection from card only then you can format it.

Below, I have mentioned a few solutions and I hope this will help to fix cannot remove write protection from SD card and thereafter you can easily format it and use it again.

Solution #1: Check If There Is Any Kind of Lock Switch

Is there any kind of small lock switch on one side? Check your SD card exterior and if you see any type of switch that has locked the card, then change the position (unlock position) of the lock switch. This will allow you to unlock write protection from SD memory card and thereby you can use it with full control.

Solution #2: Connect The Card With PC & Check Its Properties

After connecting the card to PC with the help of a card reader, go to “My Computer” and right-click on your removable SD card and select Properties. A new window will get open – in which you can sometimes see the option to remove write-protection.

Simply change the status of this option and then try again, after doing so, you can easily able to fixSD card is write protected cannot format issue.

Solution #3: Use Command Line

Below you will get the solution on how to format write protected SD card using cmd. So, just try the below-given steps to resolvewrite protected SD card format cmd.

• Click Start, type Run in the search bar and hit Enter.
• Now in the Run box, type regedit and press OK, on confirmation click on Yes.
• This will open a new window.
• Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies
• If there are no StorageDevicePolicies, then you have to create this folder. To create this folder, right-click on the Control and click on New>Key, name this StorageDevicePolicies, right-click on the new folder that you have created now named as StorageDevicePolicies and click New> DWORD Value.
• Name this WriteProtect.
• Double click on Write Protect and set the Value Data to 0 and click OK.

Now close the Registry Editor and connect the SD memory card into your PC.

How To Format SD Card After Removing The Write Protection

Once, you remove write protection, if you are unable to format SD card write protected then you can use it properly as you were using it earlier. You can now write data, delete files and rename files and folders stored within it.

However, if you want to format the SD card then you can follow the steps mentioned here: How to Format Memory Card on Windows?

If the above method of formatting the SD card does not work, then follow the below method.

But before formatting the write protected SD card, it is important that you must back up and restore files from it. Because formatting the card will erase entire data from the SD memory card.

Run DISKPART To Format SD Card That Won’t Format or Write Protected

• Click Start, type Run in the search bar and hit Enter.
• Now in Run box, type cmd and hit OK.
• This will open Command Prompt Window, type diskpart to run Diskpart Utility.
• Next type list disk, in order to locate the list of drives on the PC.
• Next type select disk 1 (where 1 should be the number of your SD card).
• Now type clean to run the clean utility. This will erase all data from the card.
• Next you have to create a new partition – simply type create partition primary.
• Now type select partition 1 (where 1 stand for the newly created partition)
• After this type active to make the partition active.
• Finally, type format fs=ntfs （or format fs=fat32）to format the partition to a desired file system.

Below, find out how to recover files from formatted SD card.

How To Recover Files From Formatted SD Card

After removing the write protection and SD card format, if you want to restore digital media files such as images, videos and audio files (in case if you do not have a backup) then you can use SD Card Recovery Tool.

This tool is capable enough to retrieve digital media files from write protected SD card format software as well as from corrupted, virus infected & locked memory cards.

With the help of this tool, you can:

• Restore digital media files such as photos, videos and audio files from write-protected and formatted SD cards.
• Also recover media files from virus-infected, encrypted, locked, unreadable, corrupted SD card.
• Retrieve media files from formatted USB drive, pen drive, memory stick, hard drive & external hard drive.
• 100% risk-free. Safe, secure and easy to use.

* Free version of the program only scans and previews recoverable objects.

Steps To Recover Digital Media Files From Formatted SD Card

Step 1: Select Desired Location

Firstly, select the drive, external media or volume from which you want to recover deleted media files. After selecting, click on 'Scan'.

Step 2: Preview Recovered Media Files

Next, you can preview the recoverable media files after the scanning process is completed.

Step 3: Recover Media Files

Lastly, you can select the images, audio, video files you want to restore and click on 'Recover' option to save them at the location you want.

Final Words

Well, I have already mentioned above the most common reasons that create a problem of can’t format SD card write protected. But, from the above solutions and steps, I hope you were able to remove write protection from SD card. After using the given fixes you will also be able to format SD memory card and get rid of cannot format write protected card problem.

Apart from this, if you have noticed that after fixing the issue of micro SD card write protected cannot format, all your essential data have been deleted unintentionally from SD card, then stop using your storage device right there.

This is because you can easily perform the recovery process using SD Card Recovery Tool.

Alex is an expert technical writer with 7+ years of experience. His in-depth knowledge about data recovery and fascination to explore new DIY tools & technologies have helped many. Alex has a great interest in photography and loves to share photography tips and tricks with others.

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Are you having problems accessing a write-protected SD card, USB, or external hard drive? Check out the fixes and learn how to remove write protection on SD card, USB, etc., and make your device workable for saving files again:

Why Can't I Format My SD Card?

'My SD card becomes unavailable. Now I can neither copy files to the card nor format it. Once I tried to format the SD card, Windows prompts the error message constantly saying the card is write-protected. Does anyone know how to remove write protection and format the write-protected SD card?'

What is a write-protected SD card? According to Wikipedia, write protection is a physical mechanism that prevents users from modifying or erasing valuable data on a storage device. Files that saved on the write-protected storage devices will be protected.

In other words, once a storage device is write-protected, you can no longer use it like before. Any operation on it will be rejected. For example, if you suddenly find that your SD card becomes write-protected, you cannot write any new data to the card, delete files on it, or format it. Then the SD card becomes useless.

Causes of SD Card Write-Protected Error

To troubleshoot such an issue, first, you should learn the causes and then learn how to get rid of the SD card write protection error.

Causes of SD Card Write-Protected Error:

• SD card or memory card is locked, displaying as write-protected
• SD card gets encrypted by virus or malware
• SD card contains bad sectors or internal file system
• SD card gets locked by third-party write-protection software
• Physical damage

Keep reading and you will find practical solutions here to make write-protected SD cards work normally again.

Part 1. How to Remove Write Protection from SD Card [7 Fixes]

Try the following methods and hope one of them can release your worries, removing write protection from your SD card on Windows 10/8/7, etc. After this, you can move on to the next part to format the SD card, making it secure for storing data.

Quick Fix:

When you cannot access the SD card, first try to unplug the SD card, switch the USB port, and change an SD card adapter. Then reconnect it to your computer and check if the SD card is accessible.

If the SD card becomes accessible, congratulations. If it's still write-protected, don't worry and try the following fixes. You'll fix this issue on your own.

Fix 1. Disable Write Protection on Locked SD Card with Physical Switch

Applies to: The SD card that equipped with a write-protection switch.

There is a physical write-protection switch on the side or the bottom of an SD card. The switch can secure contents and data on the SD card from being modified or infected by malware.

When you find the SD card is write-protected, you can disable the write protection on the locked SD card using its physical switch. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Disconnect your SD card from PC, and check if there is a small switch on its side.

Step 2. Check if the switch is on the unlocked side. If it's not, switch it from ON to OFF to unlock the SD card.

By changing the position of the SD card physical switch, the write protection should be turned off and allow you to access the SD card contents. After completing the process, you can reconnect the SD card to the computer and use the files they saved on the SD card.

If your SD card doesn't have a switch or the SD card is still write-protected after unlocking the card, continue trying the following fixes.

Fix 2. Remove Write Protection from SD Card with Anti-Virus Software

Applies to: Write-protected SD card that is encrypted by unknown viruses or malware.

As you may have known that unknown viruses or malware sometimes may encrypt your device, add write protection to it, and disallow you to visit the saved data. The most efficient solution is to run antivirus software, removing virus and write protection from your memory SD card.

Here are the steps:

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

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

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

You can try any of the following listed anti-virus software for help:

• Norton Antivirus
• McAfee
• ESET NOD32
• Avira
• Avast
• AVG

Fix 3. Manually Remove Write Protection from SD Card using CMD Command

Applies to: SD card that has been set as read-only.

Sometimes, when a storage device becomes write-protected, it is because the device is set as Read-only. The only way out is to clear the read-only state with the command line, making the device re-writable again.

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

Step 2. Press Win + X at the same time, you will see a cmd window. Type 'diskpart' on the keyboard and press Enter to confirm.

Step 3. Type the following command and hit Enter each time:

list disk
select disk # (# is the number of your write-protected SD card.)
attributes disk clear readonly

Wait for the process to complete and close Diskpart. After this, you will be able to access your data again.

Fix 4. Fix SD Card Write-Protected Error using CMD Alternative Tool

If you are not professional in computing management and not familiar with command lines, don't worry. EaseUS R&D team has promoted a fresh kit for helping you resolve the write-protection issue on your hard drive, external hard drive, USB or SD card, etc., devices.

EaseUS Tools M is a practical computer fixing tool that is safe and light-weighted. It's a perfect alternative to the command line.

Use this one-click tool to solve the write-protection issues on your own:

Step 1: DOWNLOAD and install EaseUS Tools M for free.

Step 2: Run EaseUS Tools M on your PC, choose the 'Write Protection' mode.

Step 3: Select the device which is now 'Write-Protected' and click 'Disable' to remove the protection.

Fix 5. Remove SD Card Write Protection using Registry Editor

Applies to: For experienced users to remove write protection from SD card using Registry Editor.

Here are the detailed steps of how to remove SD card write protection with Registry Editor.

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

Step 2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies.

Step 3. Locate StorageDevicePolicies. If you can't find it, manually create this folder: right-click on 'Control' and click on 'New' > 'Key', name this as 'StorageDevicePolicies'.

Step 4. Right-click on StorageDevicePolicies and click 'New' > 'DWORD Value'. Name it as 'WriteProtect'.

Step 5. Double-click on 'WriteProtect' and change the Value Data to '0' and then click 'OK.'

Step 6. Close the 'Registry Editor' and restart the PC.

After this, re-insert the memory stick into your computer, you shall be able to access the card by then.

Fix 6. Check and Fix Disk Error to Decrypt Write-Protected SD Card

Applies to: The SD card that is encrypted or locked due to internal disk error or file system issues.

Sometimes when the SD card contains internal errors or unknown file system issues, it will become inaccessible. As a result, some may think it's write-protected. An efficient way is to run the CHKDSK command to fix the disk errors, making the SD card accessible again:

Sd Card Writer Linux

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Type cmd in the Search box and right-click Command Prompt, select 'Run as Administrator'.

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Step 3. Type diskpart and hit Enter.

Step 4. Type chkdsk E: /f /r /x and hit Enter. (Replace 'E:' with the drive letter of your SD card.)

When the steps complete, wait for the command prompt to clear existing errors on the card. Then close the command window. If you are thinking the process is too complex, you can also apply EaseUS partition manager software with its 'Check File System' feature for help.

Fix 7. Unlock Write-Protected SD Card with Third-Party Software or Take It for Repair

When your SD card gets encrypted or locked due to third-party software or it is physically damaged, there are two ways that you can try:

1. #1. Run encryption software to unlock the write-protected SD card.
2. #2. Take the inaccessible or physically damaged SD card to a local repair center.

Part 2. How to Format Write-Protected SD Card (after Removing Write Protection)

Now things get easy after we have removed write protection from the SD card. In order to obtain a secure circumstance for storing data, we suggest you format the write-protected SD card after removing write protection.

You can either run Windows Disk Management or File Explorer to format the SD card. Here, we would like to introduce to you a more user-friendly free partition manager - EaseUS Partition Master Free. With EaseUS Partition Master, you can format SD card, memory card, even USB, external hard drive after removing write protection in a few simple steps.

Download the tool and follow the steps below to format the SD card.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, right-click the partition on your external hard drive/USB/SD card which you want to format and choose the 'Format' option.

Step 2. Assign a new partition label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3), and cluster size to the selected partition, then click 'OK'.

Step 3. In the Warning window, click 'OK' to continue.

Step 4. Click the 'Execute Operation' button in the top-left corner to review the changes, then click 'Apply' to start formatting your external hard drive/USB/SD card.

After the operation, you can use the SD card to save or transfer files again.

The Bottom Line

This page covers the causes that make your SD card write-protected and offers 7 fixes to help you remove write protection from it effectively.

Note that, after removing the write protection, you should apply a reliable formatting tool to format the SD card to a proper file system - FAT32 for SD smaller than 32GB, exFAT for SD larger than 64GB.

EaseUS Partition Master also works to manage SD card, such as resizing partition, formatting SD card to FAT32, converting RAW to NTFS, etc. You may also apply it as a data transfer tool by cloning partition data to an SD card. It's efficient and secure.

The provided methods on this page can also be applied to remove write protection on USB, internal, or external hard drive effectively.