Share this article
Improve this guide
Is There A Way to Find the Remaining Life of an SD Card?
There are no tools to measure that but you can look for signs
5 min. read
Updated onDecember 18, 2023
updated onDecember 18, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
SD cards are one of the cheapest ways to preserve your data, but they come with a finite lifespan. Therefore, understanding the health and knowing the remaining lifespan of the card is important to prevent data loss.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss about read/write cycles of an SD card and signs to look for to know the remaining lifespan of the secure digital card.
What is the life expectancy of a memory card?
All the storage devices, including an SD card, can get worn out with time and use. These cards use flash memory technology and have a limited number of read/write cycles before it degrades.
A memory card usually has a lifespan of about 10 to 16 years; however, the duration may vary depending on factors such as usage, card quality, formatting, and environmental conditions.
How can I find the remaining life of an SD card?
Unfortunately, to date, there is no software that can help you check the SD card lifespan accurately. Nevertheless, you can keep an eye on signs indicating the card is approaching the end of its lifespan, such as changes in read/write speeds, file corruption, and instances of unreadable SD cards.
Although, you can run a test namedh2testwthat checks if your card is failing. Insert your SD card into your computer and follow these steps to test your card:
During the test, it writes data to your card until there is no space, then reads it back and checks if the data is properly read.
Remember, if you have a larger capacity memory card, which is slow, the test might take up to a few hours to complete.
Additionally, if your SD card is formatted in EXT4, then use thedumpe2fscommand to get an approximate estimate of the device’s wear, depending on the amount of data written to the filesystem over time.
How can I repair the filesystem issues of my SD card?
Running chkdsk on your SD card will check and repair faulty storage sections and fix common issues likeSD card auto delete files; read this detailed guide.
You can also usetools available on the internet to help you check the SD card’s health. Some of them also come with advanced features like formatting and partitioning the memory card.
What are the signs of a dying SD card?
Tips to increase the lifespan of your SD card
To conclude, you can’t predict the exact lifespan of your card; however, you can take care of a memory card to ensure its longevity and reliable performance.
So, to prevent data loss, you can keep an eye on symptoms of a corrupted or dying card, including undetectable SD card, file corruption, and slow performance.
However, if yourWindows computer does not recognize your SD card, it could be due to outdated drivers or pending Windows updates, so ensure that’s not the case before moving forward with other steps.
Additionally, while getting a new SD card, ensure you opt for a high-quality SD card that has longer lifespans and can withstand more write cycles.
If you have questions or suggestions about the subject, don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments section below.
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs.
Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That’s why she’s part of Windows Report’s Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She’s also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Srishti Sisodia
Windows Software Expert
She is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. Srishti is specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.
