Can't Write to SD Card? Why and How to Fix in 2026

Taking out an SD Card from your Android phone, camera or other devices, then inserted to a computer for reading or writing the data, but only got the message “Can’t write to SD card”? Don't worry, this can be caused by different reasons, also can be fixed with a quick or advanced solution, as long as you take the action quickly and properly

Here in this article, we list a full and effective guidance on how to fix this error. Our methods are there for both Windows/macOS computer and Android phone including Samsung. You’re guaranteed to solve your SD card issue effortlessly.

Key Takeaways

• Cannot write to SD card means you can only read the data on it, but cannot add or modify any file on it.
• There are multiple reasons for "Can't Write to SD Card", the common ones include: enabled write protection, poor connection, improper SD card settings, corrupted file system, out of storage, physically damaged SD card, virus infection, outdated card reader driver, card incompatility.
• Before any data loss, we can rescue the data from the not writable SD card first, by using Cisdem Data Recovery.
• There are quick fixes to trouble shoot this issue according to the reasons why this happens to your SD card, such as reconnect, restart device, free up space, clean the contacts of SD card, scan with anti-virus program.
• If the issue persists, there are 6 additional advanced solution: remove write protection,  update SD card drivers, run CHKDSK, format SD Card, enable Removable Storage Access, create New Volume.

What Does "Can't Write to SD Card" Mean?

Can't write to SD card means the card is now in a read-only status. You can still read the data on the card, but for the reason that the operating system or app doesn't have the permission or ability to write any data to the card, you cannot add, delete, create, replace or modify any file from it anymore. The problem of SD card cannot write could occur on any device, be it a Mac, PC, camera, or Android phone. 

Why Can't I Write to My SD Card?

First and foremost, it’s necessary to figure out why this happens to your SD card. There can be various reasons, but the common ones are listed as follows:

• Write protection is switched ON
• Poor connection between SD card and computer or the device you use to read the SD card data, this can be caused by dirty contacts, physical damage on the contact, etc.
• Wrong SD card settings
• Corrupted file system on SD card
• Out of storage
• SD card getting physically damaged
• Malware/virus infection to deny write access
• Outdated SD card reader drivers
• Your device not supporting the SD card type

Before Fix: Recover Data from SD Card Not Writable?

Please pay attention that uncertain factors do exist during the process to fix can’t write to SD card error, which will easily lead to data loss on your SD card. To avoid unwanted files missing, you’re strongly recommended to do a backup from the memory card on your device.

If the data on your SD card becomes inaccessible and they are important to you, you should rescue the data from the card first, before all the files on it are gone forever. Cisdem Data Recovery will help recover all your important files from unwritable SD card in a simple yet reliable manner.

Cisdem Data Recovery dedicates to offer professional solutions for any heavy-duty data retrieval tasks. With advanced scanning algorithm and high recovery rate, it has truly done it. This expert recovery tool is responsible for getting back files from all major storage devices compatible with PC/Mac, such as SD/SDHC/SDXC/CF card, memory card, micro card, hard drive, USB drive, digital camera, etc.

Key features of Cisdem Card Data Recovery:

• Recover 1000+ types of file from SD card: videos, photos, documents, etc.
• Retrieve data lost due to deleting, formatting, partition loss, system crash, virus attack, etc.
• Also recover data from lots of storage devices: PC/Mac disk, external hard drive, USB, memory card, etc.
• Recover unsaved files in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, etc.
• Repair damaged photos, videos, even documents
• File filters applied to quickly locate desired files
• Preview recoverable items before recovery
• Back up disk and recover later via disk image
• Support file recovery from crashed PC/Mac

This is the step-by-step instructions to recover data from SD card not writable:

1. Download and install Cisdem on your computer.
   Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.15 or later
2. Connect the SD Card to your computer via a card reader.
3. Run Cisdem Data Recovery, go to SD Card, choose the SD card and click Search for Lost Data.
   
4. Navigate to the SD card files you need to restore, according to file types. You can use the file filter or search box to quickly locate the SD card files.
5. Double click on the files to preview. Then select the files and click Recover button, also you can choose the SD card to save the recovered files to.
6. (Optional) In the case the file is damaged and appears as black, you can use the File Repair tool at the bottom of the interface to fix and recover.

Basic Troubleshooting for Can't Write to SD Card

Before diving deeper, let’s follow up some simple troubleshooting tips. By noticing several small details, this "can’t write to SD card" problem might be resolved directly with no need to dig out more complicated methods.

1. Turn the write protection switch off.
2. Reconnect it to your Android phone or computer.
3. Restart your device.
4. Check it there is enough free storage space on SD card. If not, remove unuseful files to make space.
5. Gently clean the contacts of SD card with a dry cloth.
6. Check whether the SD card reader/slot of your PC/Mac is broken. Try different reader, slot even computer if required.
7. Scan your Android/Windows/macOS device with anti-virusprogram.

Advanced: How to Fix "Cannot Write to SD Card"

After going through the basic troubleshooting, provided that you are still unable to write any new data into SD card, it’s very likely that the SD card is write-protected somehow, and we need to remove the protection. Supposing the SD card is proven to be not write-protected but you still can’t write to it, there are still 5 alternative fixes for your option.

#1. Remove Write Protection

To remove its write protection, 3 practical techniques are going to be explored.

Option 1. Unlock physical write protection tab

Generally, there is a write protection switch on the side of your SD card or SD card reader. If it’s set to be locked, your SD card should be prevented from being written. So take out the SD card from your device, make sure the physical tab is slid up to unlock position.

No issue with the write protection tab? Proceed to see other 2 solutions to fix can’t write to SD card on Windows.

Option 2. Fix read-only SD card by Diskpart

Diskpart refers to a Windows utility managing disks and partitions. Using it based on Command Prompt, you’re allowed to eliminate the read-only attributes of your SD card. Here’s how to achieve it.

1. Open Start menu > type Command Prompt in the search box > choose Run as administrator to enter it.
2. Type diskpart command and press Enter.
3. Type list disk and hit Enter to show all the disks connected with your PC.
4. Type select disk #. # represents the drive letter of your SD card.
5. Type the command attributes disk clear readonly > press Enter to remove write protection.
6. Exit CMD and then restart PC to check if the SD card is working correctly.

Option 3. Use Registry Editor to enable writing on SD card

Inappropriate configurations within Windows Registry Editor will result in a write-protected SD card as well. To enable writing access on SD card, we have to get into Registry Editor and make specific changes. See below for the tutorial.

1. Press Windows+R to open Run windows > input regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor.
2. Go to the following path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
3. Double click on WriteProtect > set value data as 0 > click OK.
4. Close Registry Editor and restart your system to disable write protection from your SD card.

#2. Update SD Card Drivers

A driver allows an external device to interact with your computer’s operating system, which means if you don’t keep those drivers up to date, your PC might struggle to write to your SD card. In order to fix this problem, you’re obliged to ensure that your drivers are fully updated. To do this, you need to check your SD card reader’s manufacturer’s website for any updates.

If you’re a Mac user, attempt to update your macOS. That will automatically update your system drivers.

#3. Run CHKDSK

If you believe that your read-only SD card is caused by corrupted file system on it, try to perform CHKDSK to fix the SD card. This method also involves command lines on Windows.

1. Run CMD as administrator.
2. Type the command: chkdsk #: /F/R/X and execute it. # refers to the drive letter that your SD card is assigned to.
3. When the CMD window displays “Windows has made corrections to the file system, the corruption error on SD card has been repaired. Go to check if you can succeed to write to SD card.

#4. Format SD Card

Formatting is another credible way to fix file system of SD card and reset it back to its original state, thus allowing your write access to the memory card. We’ll clarify the formatting steps on Android/Windows/Mac respectively.

On Android:

1. Head to Settings on your phone > choose Battery and device care.
2. Continue to choose Storage.
3. Swipe to SD card storage > tap on the three-dots icon at the top right corner > select Advanced.
4. Hit on SD card option > Format. Tap on Format SD card to confirm the formatting.

On Windows:

1. Connect the SD card to your PC.
2. Open up This PC or My Computer depending on which version of Windows you’re using > locate your unwritable SD card.
3. Right-click on it > select Format.
4. Choose the proper file system > click Start. This should make your SD card reusable on Windows.

On Mac:

1. Go to Mac Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
2. Select your SD card on the left panel > click Erase tab.
3. Name the SD card in the dialog box > select ExFAT format from the drop-down menu > hit Erase button. This should fix SD card read only error on Mac.

#5. Enable Removable Storage Access (Windows 10/7)

As the subhead indicates, this approach works specifically for PC running Windows 10 or 7. If you’re exactly a Windows10/7 user, try this hidden solution to fix your SD card unable to be written.

1. Press Window+R > input gpedit.msc in the Run box > click OK.
2. Check in Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Access. Double click on Settings: Removable Disks Deny Write Access.
3. Choose Disabled > click OK to finish.

#6. Create New Volume

The last trick is typically feasible for logical error of SD card sections/partitions. If you can’t write to the SD card with logical damages, delete SD card partitions in Windows Disk Management and create a new volume.

1. Right-click This PC > Manage > Disk Management.
2. Right-click your failed SD card > select Delete Volume.
3. Right-click the SD card again > create New Simple Volume.

Bottom line

That’s all it takes to deal with you can't write to SD card issue. Related reasons and all the possible fixes have been unmasked in detail. There must be at least one method right for you. Also bear in mind that before taking actions to fix your read-only SD card, back up and recover important data from it using Cisdem Data Recovery, in case of irreversible data loss.