Summary: The error ‘SD card is blank or has unsupported file system’ makes your Android SD card unusable putting you in a serious data loss situation. In this post, you will know how fix blank SD card and unsupported file system error and restore its data. Also, learn how you can recover your photos or videos from a non-working SD card by using Stellar Photo Recovery software.
SD cards have become one of the most preferred media to store and transfer data across laptop and smartphone. Furthermore, when it is required to expand the internal storage of Android smartphones or tablets, SD cards are way to go. However, there can be several issues with the memory cards while using them. The SD card is blank or has unsupported file system error message is one of them, which we will discuss in this post.
Sometimes, an Android device fails to read the SD card and display message saying the card is blank or not supported. Despite having data on your SD card, the sudden appearance of this error can put you in shock. You are naturally worried about the valuable photos or videos that may be stored in the media.
But there’s also a brighter side to this technical malfunction. You can fix it and recover the lost data from SD card. The solutions are available, irrespective of Android model, be it Samsung Galaxy Note, Motorola, OnePlus, or others.
But, before that its’ important to understand why Android says SD card is blank or doesn’t support file system.
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Most of the time the error – SD card is blank or unsupported occurs due to corrupt RAW file system, virus infection, bad sectors, logical damages, or inappropriate SD card usage.
Usually this happens when:
A few manual methods can fix the error and make your SD card accessible. Nonetheless, getting back the lost data from error showing SD card is also your priority. Here we will know the right working 8 methods to fix ‘SD card is blank or has unsupported file system’ error in Android, tablet, or computer. Plus, you will know the best technique to recover data from such corrupt SD cards.
Try to run CHKDSK command to fix blank SD card issue. But before executing CHKDSK command, make sure that the SD Card is connected to computer and is detected by the machine.
In steps: How to run CHKDSK to fix blank SD card error message:
After the procedure completes, insert the memory card back to the Android phone to check if it is working fine.
Be it smartphone or computer restart the device. First, turn OFF the device and then restart. Now connect the storage card to ensure if the SD card starts working. This may fix the SD card error.
Try to connect the SD card to some other device to check if it works or not. Alternatively, try connecting the card using different card reader. It is possible there is some issue with the USB port or card reader due to which the SD card displays blank.
Test the blank SD card to check if any hidden files exist within it. The probability is that there may be some files stored on the SD card that is creating an issue and needs to be deleted. To do this, follow the below steps:
Note: The procedure mentioned above applies to Windows 10 and may slightly vary in other versions of the Windows operating system.
Attempt to insert the SD card multiple times into the smartphone. If lucky, then the phone may be able to read the card and the error ‘SD card is blank or has unsupported file system’ issue may be rectified.
Try it to fix error ‘SD card has unsupported file system’ by using Windows ‘Error Checking’ feature. It fixes drive errors related to file system. Follow the below steps to fix SD card file system error:
Windows ‘Troubleshoot’ feature for hardware and devices can fix SD card issue. However, the feature cannot be accessed directly from the Windows Settings in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can only access the ‘Troubleshoot’ feature by using the command line in CMD window. Here are the steps to get on to the hardware and devices troubleshoot feature and fix SD card blank error on Windows 10/11:
Now, restart your computer. Reconnect the SD card. The error message should not appear.
If none of the above methods work. Format the card. It will not only fix the blank SD card error but will also make your memory card ready for reuse.
Follow the below steps to format SD card on PC:
You can format your SD card in Android also by following the below steps:
Note: Steps may vary based on your smartphone model.
If all of the above-mentioned procedures fail to gain access to the data stored on the SD Card, then you can try employing an alternate solution to prevent data from permanent loss. Stellar Photo Recovery tool is an efficient way to retrieve images and other multimedia contents from damaged storage media such as SD cards, hard drives, USB drives, etc. The software is advanced and fast to restore thousands of media files.
Before initiating the recovery process, it is required to connect the blank SD card to the computer. The functional procedure of the Photo Recovery Software is quite simple and defined as follows:
TIP: Check SMART health status of your SD card by using Stellar Photo Recovery. The software offers an additional useful feature that provides storage drive overall health and temperature. It indicates the wearing signs that can lead to SD card failure. This information can help you to decide to reuse the SD card or not in future
Although there are some manual procedures available to bring the SD Card to workable mode, if these methods fail to rectify major issues and leads to permanent data loss then, in the absence of efficient built-in recovery utility, the only way to retrieve access to images is via employing a photo recovery software.
The SD card may show blank error due mishandling or virus infection that can make storage card corrupt or hide its files. However, you can fix the issue by using the solutions shared in this post.
The quick and easiest way to get back lost data from SD card is with the help of a data recovery software. The smart Stellar Photo Recovery software can restore photos, videos, and audio files in no time from SD cards of SanDisk, Toshiba, Samsung etc.
You can repair corrupted SD card of Android on computer by using various methods like chkdsk command, reinstalling drivers, formatting etc. For details click on how to repair corrupt SD cards.
The SD card may show 0 bytes in case of virus infection, bad sectors, failed USB connection, or hidden files etc. If your SD card shows 0 byte, quickly repair and restore its data.
Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.
Hello so is there anyway I can fix my sd card without a computer as I don’t have one? Can I maybe do this at a library? Or on my tablet please help as I’ve had this sd card for a long time. And it’s a 32gb card so has lots of storage I’m so confused on what to do please help me thank you.
Hi Selena,
Without a computer, you can try inserting the card into a different device or opt for a recovery center to fix the SD card. Still, I would suggest arranging a computer, as this will be easy and will not cost you any amount. You can perform the above-mentioned methods to fix your SD card error.
What If the controller of my card is dead?
If the controller of the card is dead, no software will be able to retrieve the data from the storage card. What you can do is to send the card to a data recovery company that has in-lab services like us. You can write to us at support@stellarinfo.com
How formatting is going to fix the error of the SD card?
Hi Trevor,
Formatting will fix the blank SD card error and also make your memory card ready for reuse. This is the best way to reset or clear an SD card and should be the first step if you face some error in your empty SD card.
I had same problem, I followed the posted methods for fix my 128 GB Samsung SD card error. Thank you very much.
Hi Jim, Thank you!
I recently formatted my Samsung Phone as I wanted to be factory reset. I backed up all my images to my 64gb SD card, After resetting factory my SD showing the same issue and I try to mount the SD card the same thing happen again , Any fix?
Hi Katie, Please check the SD card to another phone or choose the methods as we discuss on our blog. It’s helpful for you.
what do I do when the sd card can’t be detected by the computer?
Hi AJ, You can try to put the sd card to another computer. Check the device manager the enable port is working or not. If the issue is same, contact the SD card manufacturer.
I had the same problem which mentions that “SD card is blank or has unsupported file system” in my SD card on my Nokia mobile. Thank to you for providing the effective methods to fix this error.
Hi Quinn, Thanks for your valuable feedback!
This is very interesting blog when smartphones (android) or tablets fails to read the SD card. I ‘m happy to read methods to fix blank SD card error manually.
Hi Andrea, Thanks for reading our blog!