3 Quick Ways to Permanently Remove Write Protection from an SD Card

PDF download Download Article
Try these tips on Macs and PCs to remove write protection from your card
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow article teaches you how to remove the "Read Only" status from an SD card so that you can place files on it. Virtually all SD cards have physical locks that can be toggled to enable (or disable) write protection. If your SD card is locked down due to digital write protection, you can use a Windows or Mac computer to remove the write protection. A card that doesn't remove lock protection after the Window or Mac steps indicates a damaged SD Card that you should replace.

Quickly Turn Off Write Protection on SD Card

Most, if not all, SD Cards have a physical switch that enables and disables write protection. To get rid of the read-only status on it, make sure the switch is up. When the switch is down, write protection is on and you can only read what's on the SD Card.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Removing Physical Write Protection

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Place the SD card on a flat surface with the label facing upward. This helps you find the lock switch for the card.
    • If you are using a micro- or mini-SD card, insert it into an SD card adapter, and place the adapter label-up on a flat surface.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-2-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should be on the upper-left side of the SD card.
    • The lock switch is typically a small white or silver tab that protrudes from the left side of the SD card.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the lock switch is down, sliding it upward will unlock the card, allowing you to save and edit data. [1]
    • If the switch was already in the unlocked position or this didn't resolve your issue, continue to the next step.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your SD card should also have a smaller notch on the right edge. This notch can prevent certain card readers and other devices from writing to the card, even when the card is unlocked.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-5-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The tape you use to cover the notch should be just large enough to cover it—don't use too much tape, or else it could prevent the SD card from seating properly. [2]
    • If the unlock switch keeps falling down, you can use another small piece of tape to keep it in the unlocked position.
    • If you still can't write to the card after covering the notch with tape, try inserting it into a computer and checking for digital write protection. Read on to learn how on Windows and macOS.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Removing Write Protection with Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll need to be on an administrator account in order to open the Disk Partition tool, which is what you'll use to remove the write protection from your SD card.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your computer has an SD card reader, the card should slide label-up and gold connectors-first into the reader.
    • If your PC doesn't have a card reader, you'll need a USB SD card adapter to do this.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press Windows key + S to activate the Windows search bar, and then type command prompt . Click Command Prompt in the search results to open it now.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll be asked if you want to allow the app to make changes.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The prompt in the Command Prompt window should now say "DISKPART."
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-10-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-10-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-10-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-10-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This displays a list of disks connected to your PC.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/59\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-11-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-11-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find your SD card by looking for a number of megabytes or gigabytes that correlates with your SD card's storage in the "Size" column; the number to the right of "Disk" on the far-left side of this value is your SD card's number.
    • For example, if you see that the storage size for Disk 3 mirrors your SD card's remaining space, your SD card's number is "3".
    • The top disk (Disk 0) will always be your computer's built-in hard drive.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-12-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-12-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type in select disk number where "number" is replaced by the SD card's number, then press Enter . This tells Disk Partition to apply the next command to your SD card.
    • For example, if your SD card is labeled as "Disk 3" in the list of computer disks, you'd type select disk 3 here.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-13-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-13-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should see a line of text that reads "Disk attributes cleared successfully" appear in the window below your cursor, signifying that your SD card is no longer write-protected.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removing Write Protection with a Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-15-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-15-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-15-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-15-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Attach your SD card adapter to one of your Mac's USB or USB-C ports, then plug the SD card itself into the adapter.
    • If you have an older Mac, your Mac may have an SD card slot on its right side. If so, you can plug the SD card label side-up and gold connectors-first into the slot.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-16-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-16-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-16-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-16-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In some cases, having one read-only file can cause the whole SD card to lock down until the file is switched to "Read and Write" mode. You can check a file's status by clicking it, clicking File , clicking Get Info , and looking at the "Sharing & Permissions" heading.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-17-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-17-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-17-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-17-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, or press Command + space bar to activate Spotlight search.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Type disk utility into the search bar, then double-click Disk Utility in the search results.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click your SD card's name in the upper-left side of the Disk Utility window.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a tab near the top of the Disk Utility window. Doing so will prompt First Aid to begin running on your SD card.
    • If prompted, follow any on-screen instructions while First Aid runs.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg\/v4-728px-Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your SD card is locked down due to an error, the error will be fixed by First Aid.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why does my SD card tell me it is write protected if it is set to unlocked?
    Community Answer
    Your SD card must have been encrypted using a password on a mobile device or software.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 118 Helpful 125
  • Question
    I tried method two and the SD card wasn't showing up on my computer management screen. There's no physical lock, so without an adapter, I can't use method one either. What else can I try?
    Community Answer
    Try the following: 1. Click Start > type “regedit” and open “Registry Editor”. 2. Now follow the below path after opening registry editor :- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control/StorageDevicePolicies. 3. Now you will see “Write Protection” option. Double click on that and set the value data to ‘0’. After setting the value data to ‘0’ again try copying or formatting your sd card. After performing the above step you are still not able to format your sd card then continue to next step. Open Command Prompt and type diskpart and press Enter key. After opening diskpart type “list disk” and again press Enter button. Now type “select disk 1”.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 577 Helpful 381
  • Question
    How can you tell if it is working?
    Community Answer
    Try to recycle a photo. If it works, write protection is off. If you can't delete a picture, write protection is on. After write protection is off, take the photo from the recycle bin and put it back in the SD card. Keep in mind this was only tested on Windows.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 36 Helpful 33
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • In some cases, the lock switch on your SD card may become loose and slide into the locked position when you insert the card into a computer or device. If this happens, you may need to either glue the switch in place or replace the SD card.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Bootable USB Drive on Windows & macOS
      2 Simple Ways to Erase and Format a USB Flash Drive
      6 Ways to Repair a USB Flash Drive
      4 Simple Ways to Format and Clear an SD Memory Card
      How to
      Save Files to a USB Flash Drive
      A Guide to Disabling Write Protection
      How to
      Reformat an External Hard Drive on Windows or Mac
      How to
      Partition a Thumb Drive
      How to
      Boot from an External Hard Drive
      2 Ways to Test a USB's Speed on a Computer
      How to
      Transfer Music to a Flash Drive
      Easily Remove the “Read Only” State from a USB Drive on PC
      How to
      Add an External Hard Drive
      Easy Ways to Use a USB Flash Drive
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1102
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R40ROF7nJ2I

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Place the SD card label-side-up on a flat surface.
      2. Locate the lock switch.
      3. Slide the lock switch toward the gold connectors at the bottom of the SD card.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,890,730 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement