How to Fix a Broken Lock on SD Cards

Last Updated: November 13, 2021 Approved

SD cards have mechanical locks on them that allow you to prevent them from being written to. While this can be good for security, most of the time they just end up getting broken. Luckily, fixing the SD card will only cost you a couple cents and a minute of your time. See Step 1 below to learn how.

Steps

1
Find the lock groove. Look for the spot where the lock switch used to be. The groove is typically located on the left edge of the SD card when you are looking at it from the front.
2
Remove any remaining lock material. If there is any plastic piece of the old lock switch still attached or dangling, use nail scissors to gently snip out the remaining piece.

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3
Get some cellophane tape. You will need a thin, clear cellophane tape with a strong adhesive grip. Scotch brand is the most common, but any brand will work as long as it is very adhesive. Make sure that roll is not very wide. 1/2" is the standard.
4
Remove a piece of tape. Remove a small piece of tape from your roll. Remove a 1/2" piece of tape from the roll, creating a 1/2" x 1/2" square of tape.
5
Affix the tape to the lock groove. The tape should be wrapped around both the front and the back of the SD card, creating a level surface along the edge with the lock groove. Make sure to firmly press the tape down so that there are no wrinkles or bubbles.
- Ensure that none of the contacts on the back of the SD card are covered by the tape, or the card will not read.
- Bumps in the tape or raised edges could cause the SD card to get stuck in the slot.
6
Insert the card into your device or reader. The SD card should now be fully unlocked. If it is still locked, make sure that the tape has created a level surface on the lock edge.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

Question

When the card is locked, does it prevent more pictures being taken and picture deletion?

Community Answer

Yes to both. Information can neither enter nor leave the card, it is literally locked.
Question

What should I do when the card gets stuck in the slot?

Community Answer

Take it to a camera shop. They will put it through a machine or use tools to get it out. They shouldn't charge you for it.
Question

Why would my SD card say there are no images?

Community Answer

If there is nothing on the SD card, that's what it will say. However, where there are images on the card and it says "no images," your device or card may be damaged.
Question

Can data be retrieved from a damaged (not corrupted) SD card?

Community Answer

Yes, if it's a full-size SD card. Use a small very thin, sharp knife, such as a new single-edge razor blade to carefully split apart the top and bottom of the SD card, and a SD micro card adapter as well. Remove the card from the SD case and place it into the SD micro card adapter. Use 1/2" wide thin cellophane tape and place it around the adapter without any bubbles or wrinkles, covering the lock slot flat with the side edge of the adapter. Insert the adapter into a SD-to-USB adapter and insert it into a USB socket in your computer. Do not insert it into a SD slot in your computer. You should now be able to transfer the data to another SD card.
Question

My lock switch is still on, but it is write-protected no matter which way the slider is. How do I fix it?

Community Answer

If you can open the casing on the SD card slightly, try removing the lock switch and putting it back in. If that doesn’t work, keep the switch out and try the solution provided.
Question

What is a magic gate memory stick?

Community Answer

It's a memory stick used for Sony devices. The Playstation Portable and certain VAIO laptops had magic gate memory stick ports amongs other devices, though it seems that they fell out of use, since those things are pretty rare lately.