Photo Recovery: Camera Memory Cards Failures

After a hard day's working in the field, you returned with your camera loaded with beautiful photos, all with a potential to become great. But when you connect the memory card to your laptop, it doesn't get recognized! Seems like fate has pulled yet another crucial joke on you. But do not despair, all hope are not lost. Here are some tips you can try to get your photos back.

If your camera can read the card normally, you can sigh with relief. The issue might be with your card reader, the cable connecting your card reader to the computer, or even the computer’s USB port. Nothing fatal. 

It’s also possible that it’s a software issue. Most modern operating systems can read most memory cards without extra software. Locate the memory card in Device Manager (probably with a yellow triangle and a ! mark) then download and update driver and re-enable device. Or just use another computer if you have access to one.

Nearly all cameras can be used as card readers by connecting the camera directly to the computer. Usually you’ll need to have your camera powered on. With some, you’ll need to put the camera in connection mode. Your camera’s instruction manual will be able to help if you’re in doubt. So with the memory card in the camera, connect it to your computer to see if you can access the photos. If you can, go ahead and download the photos right away to your computer. Get the photos to a safe place first, then worry about finding out what went wrong.

If your camera can’t read the photos either, then the problem probably does lie with the card. So it’s time to move on to more serious data recovery efforts.

There are a number of data recovery software options available. While they aim to do basically the same thing, they don’t all do it in the same way.

How successful these will be in recovering your files depends on what’s gone wrong. If it’s a simple case of accidentally formatting a card, there’s an excellent chance of recovering the files. Things get trickier the more you’ve overwritten on the file.

Tips for Keeping Memory Cards Healthy

1. Always format the card in the camera. Format the card regularly.

2. Never remove the card while data is being transferred.

3. Turn the camera off before removing the card.

4. Have a backup card handy, just in case.

When you choose a software to recover your photos, always make sure the software is compatible with your memory card and can handle pictures. We recommend Hdata Recovery Software as your ultimate data recovery solution. Hdata Recovery Software is designed to be more comprehensive than just recovering photos, it works on hard drives as well as memory cards.