How do I disable write protection on my microSD card?

Memory cards
1

I’m having trouble with my microSD card; it suddenly became write-protected. I can’t add or delete files, and it’s really disrupting my work. I’ve tried flipping the lock switch on the adapter, but it didn’t help. Does anyone know how to fix this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

2

Flipping the lock switch on the adapter is usually the first suggestion, but it seems that didn’t work for you. There’s a couple of other things you can try to disable write protection. First, check if the microSD card itself has a write-protect switch. While not common, some older or specific brands might include this feature.

Next, let’s dive into the software side:

  1. Using Diskpart Tool on Windows:
    • Plug your microSD card into your computer.
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Type diskpart and press Enter.
    • Type list disk and press Enter. Identify your microSD card from the list (usually it will be the one with the relatively smaller size).
    • Select the microSD card by typing select disk X (replace X with your disk number).
    • Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter.
    • Type exit to close Diskpart and see if the issue is resolved.

Sometimes a microSD card can get a little “stuck” in write protection due to file system errors. You can try formatting the card, but that obviously erases everything on it. To do a format with the same Diskpart tool:
- Follow the steps above to select your disk.
- Type clean and press Enter. This will completely clean the card.
- Then type create partition primary.
- Type format fs=ntfs or format fs=fat32 depending on your needs.
- Type exit to finish.

If your data is important, try using recovery software before formatting. Sometimes the internal file system gets corrupted affecting read/write permissions.

Another angle—try plugging the card into a different device. Sometimes the card reader or the USB port might be causing issues rather than the card itself.

You might also want to check for any malicious software that might have write-protected your files without your knowledge. Doing a full system scan can sometimes resolve weird USB and SD card behaviors too.

Remember, if all else fails, it might be that the microSD itself is reaching the end of its life. They do have a limited number of write cycles. In that case, backing up whatever data you can and getting a new card may be the best course of action.

3

If flipping the lock switch on the adapter and trying Diskpart didn’t work, there are still a few routes you could take. Here are some additional methods that might help you resolve the issue:

Third-party Software Solutions:

  1. SD Formatter by SD Association:

    • This tool is specifically designed to handle SD cards and can sometimes fix issues that generic formatting tools can’t. Download it from the SD Association’s website and follow the instructions to format the write-protected card. Remember that formatting will erase all existing data, so make sure to back up anything important.

  2. HDD Low Level Format Tool:

    • You can use this tool to try a low-level format, which might help if standard tools fail. Similar to other formatting tools, it will erase all data, so proceed with caution.

File System Check:

  1. Check for Errors with CHKDSK:
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    • Type chkdsk X: /f /r (Replace X with the drive letter of your microSD card).
    • This command will look for and attempt to fix file system errors. If any are found and fixed, it might clear the write-protect status.

Linux Live USB:

  • Sometimes Windows tools just don’t cut it. You can create a bootable Linux USB drive and use tools like gparted:
    • Boot into a Linux distribution (like Ubuntu) from a USB drive.
    • Open Terminal and type sudo apt-get install gparted to install the partitioning tool.
    • Run gparted from Terminal and use it to manage partitions on your microSD card. You can also use the terminal commands like sudo fsck /dev/sdX (replace X with your device name) to check and repair file system issues.

Registry Editor (for advanced users only):

  • Caution: This method involves editing the Windows Registry, which can cause system issues if not done correctly.
  1. Press Win + R to open Run, type regedit and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
  3. Double-click on the WriteProtect key on the right panel, change the value to 0, and press OK.
  4. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
  5. Check if the issue is resolved.

Hardware Check:

  • Verify that your microSD card adapter or reader is not faulty. Sometimes the problem lies with the adapter or the USB port on your PC. Try using different adapters or ports to rule out hardware issues.

Malware Check:

  • Although it’s not common, certain malware can mess with your file systems and drives, causing write protection issues. Run a full system scan using reputable antivirus software to rule out this possibility.

Last Resort:

  • If none of the software solutions work and you’re still running into issues, it might be worth considering that the microSD card itself could be damaged or reaching the end of its lifespan. MicroSD cards have a limited number of write cycles, and once they’re near the end, you’ll encounter write protection issues. In this case, back up any recoverable data and consider replacing the microSD card.

Remember: Always keep backups of your crucial data. Memory cards can fail unexpectedly, so it’s good practice to frequently backup your important files to avoid a bulk of headaches.

Grabbing a new card might be the easiest way out, especially if you find the process too time-consuming or if data integrity is vital for your work.

4

Honestly, most of these suggestions seem overcomplicated for what might be a simple issue. Let’s be real, the fact that a few of these methods involve running around in command lines and Linux terminals seems like overkill. If the Diskpart method didn’t work, it’s probably because your microSD is likely at the end of its lifespan or faulty.

Instead of faffing about with risky Registry Editor changes, just cut your losses and get a new card. They’re cheap enough nowadays. Sure, you can try tools like ‘’ but seriously, if your card is refusing to clear its write-protect status even after all this, it’s cooked. Also, formatting to ‘’ and losing your data isn’t really a win. Use recovery software if you need what’s on it, then bin it and save yourself a headache.

Basically, get a new card and be done with it.