Lexar SD Card Recovery: How to Recover Data From Lexar Memory Cards

Lexar SD memory cards are a top choice for photographers and tech enthusiasts because of their high reliability and fast data transfer rate. However, despite their dependability, they are still susceptible to data loss like any other device.

Have you ever experienced the frustration of deleting important photos from your camera’s Lexar memory card or accidentally formatting the card in your GoPro? If so, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll show you some effective methods to recover data from Lexar SD cards, so you can rest easy knowing that your valuable data is not lost forever.

Lexar SD Card Recovery: Dos and Don’ts

To delve into the causes of data loss from Lexar memory cards and the specific methods of data recovery, we first need to discuss some essential points and “rules” that can directly impact the chances of successful data recovery.

The reality is that your actions can directly or indirectly impact the chances of data recovery. Therefore, in this section, we will provide some dos and don’ts for recovering data from Lexar SD cards.

Here’s a quick example: A user, whom we will refer to as Jack, deleted some pictures he thought were unnecessary from a Lexar memory card. However, he continued using the card in his Canon camera and took more photos. When Jack realized that deleting those pictures was a mistake, he was surprised that the new photos had overwritten the space previously occupied by the deleted photos. Even though the deleted photos were merely “hidden” and could have been recovered, they were now lost forever.

Dos:

1. Stop using the card immediately: Immediately after you notice data loss or realize your mistake, the first thing you should do is stop using your Lexar memory card. Don’t write anything on the card, such as taking a new snapshot or video. Ideally, remove it from the device and set it aside until you have read the materials in this article. The reason is that continuing to use the card can overwrite deleted data, making it difficult or even impossible to recover.
2. Check that the memory card is recognized by your computer: Make sure your Lexar memory card is connected and recognized by your computer. Many laptops and some PC cases have built-in card readers, but if you don’t have one, you’ll need to borrow or purchase one. Ensure that the memory card shows up in the Device Manager (if you’re using Windows) and in the “System Report” section in macOS. This is different from accessing the memory card through File Explorer. Remember, even if File Explorer can’t recognize the memory card, data recovery software may still be able to.
3. Use a reliable data recovery tool: If you’ve done some research before coming to our blog, you’ve probably noticed that there are many SD card data recovery tools available on the Internet. As a result, selecting the right one can be difficult. It is crucial to conduct thorough research and select a tool with a good reputation, a decent set of features, and high recovery rates. We will discuss the parameters you should pay attention to when selecting a data recovery tool later in this article.
4. Recover the data to a different device: When recovering data from a Lexar SD card, restoring it to another device, such as your computer’s internal memory or an external hard drive is advisable. This is because the first file in the recovery queue can occupy physical space on the memory card that was previously taken by one of the last files in the queue. This is how operating systems function, so it’s best to prevent further data loss by avoiding overwriting.

Don’ts:

• Don’t try to recover the data yourself if your Lexar memory card is physically damaged: If your Lexar memory card displays any visible signs of physical damage, such as broken connectors, bent casing, or damage from exposure to heat or water, it is highly advisable that you refrain from attempting to repair it on your own. It’s best to leave it to the professionals.
• Don’t use unverified data recovery tools: Using unverified data recovery tools can put your data at risk. Avoid little-known programs or those with a dubious reputation. Do not download programs from third-party sites as they may contain viruses or malware. Instead, trust reputable programs and download software only from official sites.
• Don’t format your card: If your Lexar memory card has suffered logical damage and displays errors related to the file system, your device may prompt you to format the card. However, we recommend against formatting the card if you care about the data stored on it. Although some data may still be recoverable after formatting, it is always a risk and should be avoided until you are sure that the data is safe. Good data recovery software can often retrieve data from memory cards with a corrupted file system or from RAW memory cards. Read below to learn how.

Now, let’s smoothly transition to the next section where we will discuss the main causes of data loss from Lexar memory cards, as well as the likelihood of recovery in each scenario.

Is it Possible to Recover Data From Lexar SD Cards?

In addition to the state of the data on your memory card and the condition of the card itself, as well as your actions that may affect the chances of recovery as discussed in the previous section, the likelihood of data recovery is primarily influenced by the circumstances under which the data was lost from your Lexar memory card. Let’s talk about some of these scenarios in more detail.

• Accidental deletion: This occurs when you unintentionally delete one or more files from your Lexar memory card, either through the device itself or by connecting it to a computer. Take, for example, deleting photos from a camera like in our previous example. The bad news is that most cameras do not have a folder for deleted files, and Windows does not send deleted files from memory cards to Recycle Bin. The good news is that you can still recover your data if it has not been overwritten.
• Formatting: This can occur when you need to free up space on your Lexar memory card or to address various issues. However, what matters is how you formatted your memory card. Most cameras and Windows use the ‘quick format’ method as the default formatting option. If you have used this method, you may still be able to recover some or all of your data.
• File system errors or corruption: This can occur when the file system of the Lexar memory card becomes corrupted or inaccessible due to various reasons, such as software or hardware malfunctions, errors during file transfer, and more. As mentioned earlier, if your memory card has a corrupted file system but is still recognized by Windows Device Manager, you may still be able to access the data on it.
• Bad sectors: This refers to areas on the memory card that has become damaged and are no longer usable. Similarly to a corrupted file system, you may still be able to access the data on a Lexar memory card with bad sectors, but the integrity of some files may be compromised due to partial damage. Once you have secured your data, you can try to repair the bad sectors using a full format or other specialized tools.
• Water or heat damage: Exposure to water or high temperatures can cause data loss or damage to a Lexar memory card, leading to the loss of data. As mentioned earlier, if your memory card has been exposed to such conditions, it’s best to contact a specialized SD card recovery service.
• Physical damage: This includes any physical damage to the memory card such as bending, breaking, or crushing that may result in the loss of data. In some cases, the card may also become unreadable. If your Lexar card has minor damage, is visible to the operating system when connected to a PC, and you’re familiar with data recovery procedures, you can attempt to recover your data yourself. However, we do not advise this as there is always a risk of making things worse. In case of significant damage, it’s best to contact a specialized data recovery service. The chances of successful data recovery in such cases depend on the extent of damage to the memory chips.

Now that we have discussed the causes of data loss, let’s move on to the process of data recovery.

How to Recover Data From Lexar SD Cards

As we’ve discussed earlier, data recovery from a Lexar memory card requires reliable data recovery software. An abundance of choices in the market can make selecting the appropriate one quite difficult. For a successful data retrieval experience, it’s crucial to seek out software that fulfills certain requirements.

We believe that the ideal data recovery software for Lexar memory cards should have the following features:

• Compatibility: The software should be compatible with your operating system and support its latest version.
• The ability to interpret popular file systems used by Lexar memory cards: For instance, FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT. Software that accommodates specific file systems suggests that it can retrieve data while preserving the original names and folder organization.
• The ability to retrieve and recover large files: Since Lexar cards are mainly used in high-end cameras, it is essential for the software to be capable of recovering large-sized photos and videos.
• Support for an extensive array of file types: This is a critical aspect since, besides common file formats like JPG, the tool should accommodate the file type linked to the device you are utilizing with your Lexar card. For instance, if you employ a Sony digital camera, you may want software that facilitates the recovery of images in ARW format, CR2/CR3/CRW formats for a Canon camera, or NEF/NRW for Nikon users. Consequently, the software ought to support a broad spectrum of file types, encompassing RAW photos and diverse video formats.
• Preview function: The software should allow you to preview recoverable files before the actual recovery process.
• Ease of use: The software should have a simple and intuitive interface that enables you to scan your card in a few easy steps.
• The capacity to access Lexar memory cards with a damaged file system: For certain users, the skill to read cards with a corrupted file system or those that have turned into RAW file systems is of paramount importance, as the data becomes unreachable.
• Price: Look for complimentary programs or opt for one with a DEMO plan, allowing you to assess the software and determine if your files can be recovered.

Great news! We have saved you valuable time by carefully selecting two software options that not only meet but exceed the criteria we mentioned earlier.

Option A: Disk Drill

Disk Drill is a great option for Lexar card recovery, as it boasts unbeatable recovery rates, excellent scanning times, and a well-designed user interface.

Here are the steps to recover your data from a Lexar card using Disk Drill:

1. The first step is to download and install Disk Drill. You can download it from the Cleverfiles official website, and the installation process is straightforward.
2. Insert the Lexar memory card into a memory card reader and connect it to your PC. Launch Disk Drill, and it will list all the drives attached to your computer. Select the drive that represents the Lexar memory card from the list of available storage devices.
3. Click on the Search for lost data button to initiate the scanning process. The scanning process duration depends on the size of your memory card. During the scan, you can check the scan results at any time using the Review found items button. However, for best results, it’s recommended to wait until the scan is complete.
4. Once the scan is complete, you can refine the search results to find the specific files you want to recover. You can do this by applying filters. You can either click on a file type from the left pane to display only photos or videos, or you can directly target your search for a specific file type. You can also use the search bar in the top-right corner to look for particular file names or extensions.
5. Preview the files by clicking on the eye icon to reveal essential file attributes like the file name, last modified date, etc. Select the files you want to retrieve by ticking the checkboxes beside their file names.
6. Click on the Recover button to initiate the data recovery process. A pop-up will emerge, prompting you to select a target folder for the files you wish to recover. Keep in mind that this has to be on a separate storage medium from the Lexar memory card you’re attempting to retrieve files from.
7. Disk Drill will now attempt to recover your chosen files. Once the process is complete, you’ll be notified with a message and a “View recovered data in Explorer” button, which you can click to directly access the retrieved files.

Note that Disk Drill offers a free version that works on both Windows and Mac computers and can recover up to 500 MB of data on Windows, after which you will need to get a paid license. Disk Drill supports data recovery from all Lexar camera memory card types, be it SD, microSD, CF, CFast, or CFExpress.

Option B: DiskDigger

DiskDigger is a powerful yet free data recovery tool that can help you recover your deleted photos and videos from a Lexar memory card. Although it may not be the most user-friendly tool out there, it can recover essential RAW photo formats and widely used video formats like WMV, AVI, and MOV.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use DiskDigger to recover your lost data:

1. Download and launch DiskDigger. It is a portable application, so there is no need to install it.
2. Connect the Lexar memory card to your PC using a card reader.
3. Select the Lexar SD card in DiskDigger and click on Next.
4. Choose the scan type between Dig Deep and Dig Deeper. Dig Deep is a quick scan that is suitable for recently deleted files, while Dig Deeper is a more thorough scan that can locate files that are hard to find otherwise.
5. If you want to recover specific file types, you can use the Filter Results option. For example, if you want to recover NEF RAW image files, type in NEF and click on Ok.
6. Preview the files to ensure you are selecting the right assets. DiskDigger does not retrieve filenames, so it is essential to double-check before selecting files.
7. Select the files you want to recover by holding down the CTRL key to select multiple options. After selection, click on Recover selected files.
8. Browse for a recovery destination and click OK to save your recovered data.
9. If you’re using the free version, click on Continue unregistered to proceed with the data recovery process.
10. If you didn’t find the files you were looking for with the Dig Deep scan, you can try the Dig Deeper option for a more comprehensive scan.

To use the complimentary edition, you must continue to press the “Continue unregistered” button after retrieving each file. A five-second pause is required before pressing it again. If you want to recover all files in bulk, you will need to purchase a license.

In conclusion, DiskDigger is a reliable data recovery tool that can help you recover your lost photos and videos from a Lexar memory card. While it may not have the most intuitive user interface, it can still recover essential file formats and widely used video formats.