[ Updated 9/2/26 with recovery information about thumb drives. Posted at the end.]
Guest Post: Anastasia Savula is a technology writer who creates content about data recovery for Disk Drill. She writes practical guides that help readers understand data loss, recovery methods, and ways to protect their files. She certifies that this article was written by her, and not AI.
Photos and videos can become corrupted when something interrupts the process of writing, storing, or reading data on an SD card. Sometimes only a single photo or video is affected, while in more serious cases the file system itself becomes damaged and the entire card may become inaccessible.
Check Your SD Card Before Shooting
If the results really matter to you and you want to avoid or at least minimize the risk of corrupted photos and videos, start with the SD card itself. Choose a genuine card from a reputable manufacturer and seller, with the right capacity and speed class for your camera. It’s also worth verifying that the advertised capacity matches the card’s actual storage. Before an important shoot, inspect the card for cracks, damaged contacts, or other physical wear. Then test it in your camera: take a few photos and record a short video to make sure everything saves and plays back correctly without any errors.
If the card looks physically fine but the camera doesn’t recognize it, reports errors, or has trouble saving files, connect it to your computer for a closer check. Here are a few useful tools:
If the card passes the checks but your camera still has problems with it, format the SD card, preferably in the camera, and test it again. If errors continue even after formatting, it’s safer to replace the card rather than use it for important photos or videos.
Common Causes of Corrupted Photos and Videos on SD Cards
There isn’t just one possible cause why photos or videos on a camera SD card can become corrupted. They can get damaged for multiple reasons. Here are the most common ones:
1. Removing the SD Card or Turning Off the Camera Too Soon
Removing the SD card or turning off the camera while data is still being written can leave photos and videos corrupted or incomplete. Even after you stop recording a video or take a photo, the camera may continue writing buffered data to the card for a few seconds. If you remove the card or power off the camera before this process finishes, the write operation can be interrupted. This is especially problematic with video files. Formats such as MP4 and MOV may require important metadata to be written when recording ends. If this process is interrupted, the actual video data may still be present, but the file can remain incomplete and refuse to open or play correctly.
2. Sudden Power Loss
If the camera battery dies or the device unexpectedly loses power while saving a photo or recording a video, the current file may remain incomplete. With video files, sudden power loss can prevent the camera from properly finalizing the recording, leaving a clip that plays only partially or refuses to open. The risk is especially relevant during long or high-bitrate recordings because the camera continuously writes large amounts of data to the SD card.
3. SD Card Wear and Memory Cell Failure
SD cards use NAND flash memory, which has a limited number of program/erase cycles. Every time data is written, erased, and rewritten, the memory cells experience a small amount of wear. Cameras that constantly record and overwrite data, such as dashcams and security cameras, can therefore wear out cards faster than cameras used only occasionally. As the flash memory ages, the card may have increasing difficulty reliably storing data. If part of a photo or video is written to an unreliable memory cell, the resulting file may contain incorrect or missing data. This can cause visual artifacts, frozen video frames, incomplete recordings, or files that refuse to open.
4. Low-Quality, Defective, or Counterfeit SD Cards
A defective or counterfeit card can cause corruption even when the camera itself works perfectly. Counterfeit cards are particularly problematic because their firmware may report more storage capacity than the card physically contains. For example, a fake card may appear to offer 256 GB even though considerably less flash memory is actually available. Once the real capacity is exceeded, newly written photos and videos can overwrite existing data or become corrupted. Low-quality cards may also struggle to maintain the sustained write speeds required for high-resolution or high-frame-rate video.
5. SD Card Too Slow for the Recording Mode
Not every SD card can keep up with the amount of data produced by demanding recording modes. High-resolution 4K video, high frame rates, and high-bitrate recording require a card that can maintain a sufficient write speed. If the card is too slow, the camera’s buffer may fill before the data can be written to storage. Depending on the camera, recording may stop unexpectedly or the current video may not be finalized correctly, leaving an incomplete or unplayable file.
6. Errors When Splitting Long Video Recordings
Some cameras automatically divide long video recordings into multiple files. This is particularly relevant to SD cards formatted as FAT32, which has a maximum individual file size of 4 GB. Normally, the camera closes one segment and immediately creates the next. However, if an error occurs while a segment is being finalized or a new one is being created, one of the resulting clips may be incomplete or unplayable.
7. Environmental Conditions
Extreme environmental conditions can interfere with recording even when both the camera and SD card are otherwise working normally. Excessive heat may force the camera to stop recording or shut down before the current file is finalized. Very low temperatures can reduce battery performance, while moisture, condensation, vibration, or physical impact can temporarily disrupt the connection between the camera and SD card during a write operation.
8. Interrupted File Transfers
A photo or video can be perfectly healthy on the SD card but become corrupted while being copied to a computer or another storage device. Disconnecting the card reader, unplugging a USB cable, shutting down the computer, or experiencing a software crash before copying finishes can leave the destination file incomplete. In this situation, it is worth checking the original file on the SD card because it may still open normally.
9. Camera Firmware or Software Errors
The camera’s firmware controls how photos and videos are processed, encoded, and saved to the SD card. A software crash, firmware bug, or compatibility issue can interrupt this process or prevent a file from being structured correctly. These problems may occur only with certain recording modes, codecs, resolutions, or frame rates. If corrupted files repeatedly appear under the same settings even when you use a reliable SD card, the camera’s firmware may be responsible.
10. Faulty Camera Hardware
A problem with the camera itself can also result in corrupted photos and videos. A damaged SD card slot, worn or dirty contacts, or a failing storage controller can cause errors while data is being sent from the camera to the card. One sign of a hardware problem is repeated file corruption across several known-good SD cards. In this case, replacing the card may not solve the problem because the error occurs before or during the write process.
How to Tell Whether the Files or the SD Card Are Corrupted
Since corrupted files and a corrupted SD card can produce similar symptoms, it is not always obvious which one you are dealing with. So, how does an SD card get corrupted? Common causes include physical damage, bad sectors, file system corruption, improper removal, malware, and interrupted formatting. The main difference is the scope of the problem. If only one or several photos or videos behave incorrectly while the rest of the card works normally, the files themselves are more likely to be damaged. If you have problems accessing the card, multiple files disappear at once, or the camera cannot reliably read or write to it, the SD card or its file system may be the problem.
Signs of Corrupted Photos or Videos
Common signs of corrupted media include:
Signs of a Corrupted Memory Card
Common signs of a corrupted memory card include:
The distinction is important because these problems require a different approach. Corrupted photo or video files need to be repaired, while intact files that are inaccessible because of an SD card or file system problem need to be recovered instead.
How to Fix Damaged Video Files
If a video on your SD card is corrupted, it doesn’t necessarily mean the footage is permanently lost. Depending on the type of damage, you may be able to recover damaged video file with video repair software or by re-encoding it. Below, we’ll show you how to try both methods.
Method 1. Repair Video With VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source media player that also has a built-in feature for repairing damaged or incomplete AVI files. Although it cannot automatically repair MP4 files directly, you can create a copy of the corrupted video and change its extension from .MP4 to .AVI. Then, try to repair the renamed file with VLC. If the repair is successful, you can change the extension back from .AVI to .MP4.
To fix a corrupted video file:
6. Select the Input/Codecs tab.
Method 2. Re-encode the Video File With VLC
Re-encoding creates a new copy of the video using all the data that can still be read from the original file. In some cases, this can bypass minor corruption and make a video that previously had playback problems work normally again.
To re-encode a corrupted video file:
4. Click Add and select the corrupted video file.
NOTE: There are also online video repair tools that work directly in your browser. If you don’t want to download additional software or the methods above didn’t work, you can try one of these tools.
How to Fix Corrupted Photos
Corrupted photos can sometimes be fixed depending on the type and extent of the damage. If the image still opens but displays incorrectly, try opening it in an image editor or converter and saving it as a new JPEG or PNG file. This creates a new file from the image data that can still be read and may resolve minor structural or encoding issues.
If the photo refuses to open, dedicated photo repair software or online repair tools may help fix damaged JPEG headers and other structural problems. Some repair tools can also use a healthy photo taken with the same camera and settings as a reference to reconstruct the damaged file structure.
If the photo opens but contains visible blocks, color shifts, lines, or other artifacts, image restoration or artifact-removal tools can help reduce these defects and improve how the image looks. The effectiveness of each method depends on which part of the photo file is damaged and how severe the corruption is.
How to Recover Photos and Videos from a Corrupted SD Card
If the problem is with the SD card itself, your photos and videos may still be stored on it but remain inaccessible. To regain access to these files, you will need data recovery software that can scan the SD card and recover the data directly. Among the many recovery tools available today, Disk Drill is one of the best photo recovery software. It combines excellent recovery performance with a clean, beginner-friendly interface, making it suitable even if you have never used data recovery software before. Disk Drill can recover common video formats such as AVI, FLV, M4V, MP4, MPG, and WMV, as well as a wide range of image formats, including BMP, JPEG, JP2, GIF, TIFF, X3F, PEF, PSD, and PSB. The software is available for both Windows and macOS.
It is recommended to create a disk image of the corrupted SD card before starting the recovery process, as this is a safer approach and reduces additional stress on the card. You can create one directly in Disk Drill using its built-in Byte-to-Byte Backup feature.
To create a disk image with Disk Drill:
To start the recovery process:
NOTE: On Windows, Disk Drill lets you recover up to 100 MB of data for free. On macOS, the free version allows unlimited scanning and file previews, but you need to upgrade to recover the files.
Fix a Corrupted SD Card
Once you have recovered all important photos and videos, the next step is to learn how to fix corrupted sd card and make it usable again.
Method 1. Format the SD Card on Camera
Method 2. Format the SD Card on Computer
If the camera cannot format the card, use your computer.
On Windows:
On macOS:
NOTE: If your camera is not reading the SD card even after formatting it, it is best to replace the card with a new one.
How to Prevent Photos and Videos from Becoming Corrupted on an SD Card
You cannot completely eliminate the risk of photo and video corruption on an SD card, but most problems can be prevented with proper card handling and a few simple habits.
1. Always Wait Before Removing the SD Card
Never remove an SD card while the camera is recording, saving a photo, or processing data. After you stop recording, wait a few seconds before turning off the camera or removing the card. If your camera has a card activity light, wait until it stops blinking. The same rule applies when the card is connected to a computer. Do not disconnect the card reader during a file transfer, and use the operating system’s Eject function before physically removing the card.
2. Avoid Recording With a Nearly Empty Battery
An unexpected shutdown in the middle of recording can leave an MP4 or MOV file incomplete because the camera may not have enough time to finalize the file structure. Check the battery before long recordings and replace or recharge it before it reaches a critically low level. This becomes especially important when recording long 4K or high-bitrate videos.
3. Format the SD Card in the Camera
If the SD card will primarily be used with your camera, format it using the camera’s built-in formatting option rather than formatting it on a computer. This allows the camera to create the file system and folder structure it expects. Before formatting, copy all important photos and videos somewhere else because formatting removes access to the existing files.
4. Use the Right SD Card for Your Camera
Choose your SD card carefully and make sure it is compatible with your camera. Check which SD card types, capacities, and speed classes your camera officially supports. A card that cannot maintain the required write speed may cause recording to stop unexpectedly, particularly with 4K, high-frame-rate, or high-bitrate video. Pay attention not only to advertised maximum speed but also to the card’s sustained video write capability. SD cards with Video Speed Class ratings such as V30, V60, or V90 are designed to guarantee minimum sustained write speeds of 30, 60, and 90 MB/s respectively.
5. Replace Old or Unreliable Cards
Flash memory wears out with use, so an SD card should not be treated as permanent storage. If you start seeing repeated write errors, corrupted files, disappearing data, unusually slow performance, or messages asking you to repair or format the card, stop using it for important recordings. This is particularly important for cards used for frequent video recording and rewriting. Replacing a questionable card is much safer than waiting for it to fail completely.
6. Be Careful With Counterfeit SD Cards
A counterfeit card may report a much larger capacity than it actually contains. Everything can appear normal at first, but once you write beyond its real physical capacity, files may become corrupted or disappear. Buy cards from reputable retailers rather than unknown marketplace sellers offering unusually low prices.
7. Do Not Fill the Card Completely
Avoid routinely recording until absolutely no free space remains. Cameras need enough available storage to continue creating files and managing their file system normally. A better approach is to transfer your photos and videos regularly, verify that the copies are readable, and then format the card in the camera before the next major shoot instead of constantly deleting individual files to free small amounts of space.
8. Avoid Constantly Switching One Card Between Devices
Moving the same SD card between different cameras, computers, smartphones, drones, and other devices can sometimes create compatibility problems because devices may use different folder structures or expect different formatting. Whenever possible, dedicate a card to a particular camera. If you want to move it permanently to another device, back up its contents first and then format the card using the new device.
9. Protect the Card From Physical and Environmental Damage
Keep SD cards away from water, excessive heat, dust, and physical pressure. Do not touch the metal contacts unnecessarily, and store unused cards in a protective case. Also pay attention to the camera itself. If it becomes extremely hot during extended recording, allow it to cool down rather than repeatedly restarting it. An overheating-related shutdown during recording can leave the current video incomplete.
10. Keep Camera Firmware Updated
Camera manufacturers sometimes release firmware updates that address recording stability, memory card compatibility, and other storage-related problems. If corrupted files repeatedly appear with a specific recording mode or card, check whether a firmware update is available for your camera. At the same time, make sure the problem is not limited to one particular card. Testing another known-good compatible card can help determine whether the SD card or camera is responsible.
11. Use Reliable Card Readers, Adapters, and Cables
If files become corrupted or incomplete only after transferring them to your computer, the original SD card may not actually be the problem. Try another card reader, USB port, cable, or computer. Do not delete the originals from the SD card until you have confirmed that the transferred photos and videos open correctly.
12. Back Up Your Photos and Videos Regularly
An SD card should be treated as temporary recording media, not as your only copy of important photos and videos. Transfer your files to a computer or external storage regularly. For the best protection, follow the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep three copies of your data, store them on two different types of media, and keep one copy off-site. Cameras with dual card slots can also reduce the risk of data loss when configured to record the same files to both cards.
Summary
There are many reasons why photos and videos on SD cards get corrupted. In most cases, damaged files can still be fixed using the appropriate repair methods. Sometimes, however, you may lose access to your photos and videos because the SD card itself is corrupted. When that happens, you will need data recovery software to get the files back. Still, the best approach is to avoid these situations in the first place. Learn what usually goes wrong with memory cards. How does a SD card get corrupted? What can damage the photos and videos stored on it? The answers to these questions can help you in the future.
UPDATE – Sept. 2, 2026
In the comments, Dale Johnson asked whether this recovery information applied to thumb drives, so I asked Anastasia, the author. She replied:
“Yes, to a certain extent. The same principles apply to USB thumb drives, since they too use flash memory which can experience interrupted writes, file system corruption, memory wear or failure. The recovery and repair methods discussed here can also be applicable.
Of course, the causes discussed in this article are specific to recording directly onto a camera SD card, like an insufficient write speed for the recording methods used or the camera losing power during finalization of a recording. However, a thumb drive could contain photos and videos that were originally recorded on a camera; and thus the file repair and data recovery methods can still be applicable, should those files become corrupted or inaccessible on the USB drive.”
2 Responses to What Causes Video and Photos to Become Corrupt on Camera SD Cards?
An excellent and seemingly complete treatment of a problem that I had never given thought to, by Ms. Savula. I wonder if her information and treatment processes could also be applied to thumb drives in some measure?
Dale:
Thanks for your comment and question. I checked, then posted the author’s answer in the article.
Larry