How to Fix Android is Unable to Format SD Card Problem
So, whatever might be the reason, in this article, we are going to share a few best methods to fix ‘Android unable to format SD card’ error 2020. So, let’s check out how to fix ‘Android unable to format SD card’ error.
1. Restart Your Android
Restart Your Android
If you have been using an Android smartphone for a while, then you might know that a simple restart can fix most of the Android issues. Sometimes, some apps or processes that were saved on the SD card were loaded in the background which prevents Android from formatting an SD Card. So, before trying anything else, make sure to restart your Android and check whether the format process goes on or not.
2. Format Using Computer
Well, if you are unable the format the memory card or SD card from Android, then you can try to format it with a computer. Formatting USB devices or SD cards with a computer is an easy process. Just follow some of the simple steps given below.
Step 1. Connect your memory card to the PC using a card reader, or connect your smartphone to the computer via USB cable. Just keep in mind that your SD card should appear on the Computer so that you can work on it afterward.
Right-click on the ‘SD Card’ and select ‘Format’
Step 2. Now after your SD card is successfully connected to the computer (running Windows) go to My Computer. Right-click on the SD card and select up the option “ Format “.
Step 3. You will see that the Format windows will pop up on the screen and there will be a number of options and preferences there on the screen. Select the file system as “ FAT32 ” from the panel and then click on the “Format” button from the bottom of the panel.
Select ‘FAT32’ as file system and click on ‘Start’
Windows will now try to format up your SD card and most probably it will easily format it but in case it is unable to do so, you can still be able to use your SD card and the process won’t harm it.
3. Remove The Write Protection
Well, write protection could be another possible reason behind Android failing to format the SD Card. So, if that was the issue, then you need to remove the write protection from the memory card. To remove the write protection, you need to use Command Prompt.
Step 1. First of all, connect your SD or memory card to the computer and then open CMD. To open CMD, click on Start and select CMD. Now on the Command Prompt, type in ‘Diskpart’ and hit enter.
type in ‘Diskpart’ on CMD and hit Enter
Step 2. Now you need to type in ‘list disk’
Type in ‘list disk’ and hit enter
Step 3. Now you will see the connected storage device. Select the disk number associated with your SD card. Type in ‘select disk 1’ (replace Disk 1 with the disk number associated with SD card)
Now select your SD Card. For example, select disk 1
Step 4. In the final step, type in ‘attributes disk clear readonly’
Type in ‘attributes disk clear readonly’ and Hit enter
That’s it, you are done! Now type in ‘exit’ on the command prompt. Now you should be able to format the memory card from both Android and Windows computers.
Help : In case you are unable to use SD card on your Android device, you can go for other storage options like USB OTG (if supported) as this won’t be using your device’s card slot accessing which might be causing the read/write problem.