How to recover data from a SanDisk Flash Drive

Are you looking for a way to recover data from Flash Drive SanDisk? Have you lost data because your Flash Drive SanDisk does not work properly or because of hard disk errors? Is the data lost forever, or is there some way to recover it?

SanDisk Flash Drive Data Recovery in 2024

Repair your media, fix errors that cause failures and restore the lost data on your own.

If you need to recover an internal or external hard disk (HDD, SSD or SSHD), a memory card or a USB pen drive, the first step is to connect it to a computer. If you want to recover data from a dashboard camera, phone, camera, or a music player, you should remove their memory card and connect it to a desktop computer. Also, you can try this tutorial for internal phone storage, if you connect your phone to a computer and it displays your device in This PC folder as a USB drive.

The Program For Recovering SanDisk Flash Drive Data

Are you looking for a way to recover data?

If files have been deleted from a SanDisk Flash Drive, and it is impossible to recover them by using standard tools of your operating system, the most effective way will be to use Hetman Partition Recovery.

For this purpose, do the following:

  • Download the program install and launch it.

  • By default, users are suggested to start with File Recovery Wizard. Click «Next» and the program will ask you to select the disk you want to recover your files from.

  • Double-click on the disk and select analysis type. Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be show files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

Recover Data From SanDisk Flash Drive After Formatting or Deleting Partition

Recover Files After Formatting

Are you looking for a way to recover files from a SanDisk Flash Drive after formatting? Follow this guide:

  • Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and launch it. After launch, the program will find and display all physical disks as well as available and unavailable partitions and areas on your disks, showing this information in the left part of the main window.

  • Double-click on the disk or the area from which you need to recover files and select analysis type.

  • Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be show files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

Recover Data From Deleted Partition

Are you looking for a way to recover files from a deleted partition in a SanDisk Flash Drive? Follow this guide:

  • Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and launch it. After launch, the program will find and display all physical disks, flash drives or memory cards in the left part of the main window. The list of physical devices is shown after logical drives

  • Double-click on the device from where a partition was deleted.

  • Choose «Full analysis» and wait for the disk scanning procedure to finish.

  • When the scanning is over, you will be shown files for recovery. Select the ones you need and click «Recover».

  • Select one of the options to save files. Do not save the recovered files to the disk from where they have been deleted previously because they can be erased.

Recover System Partition With LiveCD

If there is no possibility to connect a hard disk with a lost or damaged system partition to another computer, you can recover such partition by starting your computer with LiveCD, an alternative portable version of an operating system. For this purpose, do the following:

  • Find a LiveCD which is good enough for your needs, download it and copy it to a CD\DVD or a flash drive.

  • Connect the LiveCD to your computer and turn it on. The computer will reboot automatically with the LiveCD.

  • Copy files from the system partition to another media (often it can be an external hard disk).

Recover System Partition Data on Another Computer

If the system partition is lost, a computer will not boot. That is why:

  • Take out of the computer or disconnect the hard disk where the system partition was lost.

  • Connect this HDD to another computer.

  • Make sure that your hard disk is recognized by the other computer correctly.

  • Now, follow the steps as shown in the previous section.

SMART Parameters Of SanDisk Flash Drive

Large hard disk manufacturers include S.M.A.R.T. technology into their products. S.M.A.R.T. analyzes a great number of mechanical attributes. This analysis allows detecting hard disk errors before it breaks down completely, and it can also help to find out why it happened.

In spite of S.M.A.R.T. ability to predict future problems, most of them cannot be prevented. Therefore, S.M.A.R.T. is a technology which often warns users of the hard disk nearing its end. S.M.A.R.T. values cannot be corrected and there is no need to waste time on that.

Every hard disk manufacturer sets a threshold value for every operation. Under normal circumstances, threshold values are never exceeded. Otherwise, we encounter errors.

There are 256 values, each having its own ID. Some errors and extreme values are critical. There is no solution for such errors. The only way out for them is to replace the hard disk as soon as such error is detected.

There are no methods to correct critical SMART errors. If the hard disk is not replaced, the error will be displayed again and again. The only justified reason for still keeping the disk will be the need to save data from the sectors which are still available. If the error warning comes true, the disk will become unavailable for any program known. That is why there are steps to be taken to save your data.

Restore File System On SanDisk Flash Drive

If it is impossible to recognize the file system on SanDisk Flash Drive, hard disk, format the device.

File System In SanDisk Flash Drive Is Recognized as RAW

Sometimes the operating system cannot recognize the file system structure (for example, FAT or NTFS). If you check properties of such device, its file system will be identified as RAW. In this case, Windows suggests formatting the disk.

There are utilities specialized in restoring RAW disks, but we recommend using a versatile solution, Hetman Partition Recovery. This function is an additional component, so you only have to launch the program and analyze such disk.

Run CHKDSK Command

In some cases, the file system on a SanDisk Flash Drive can be repaired with the command CHKDSK.

  1. Launch the Command prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type in the command “chkdsk D: /f” (instead of D: type in the letter of the corresponding disk) and press ENTER.

  3. As you launch the command, the process of error checking and correcting will start; it can help to restore your file system back to normal.

Restore Partitions On SanDisk Flash Drive With “Diskpart” Command

If a USB drive, a memory card or another media work incorrectly, cleaning the disk and its partitions with the command “Clean” and Diskpart tool can become one of the ways to solve the problem. This tool can correct errors if the device cannot be formatted or when its size is identified incorrectly.

  1. Launch the Command prompt as Administrator.

  2. Run the command DISKPART.

  3. Show the list of disks with the command LIST DISK and find the number of the disk which you need to recover.

  4. Select the disk you need: SELECT DISK # (instead of # enter the disk number).

  5. Run the command CLEAN.

  6. Create a partition in the cleaned disk and format it into the file system you like.

Find Bad Sectors And Errors, Run The Defragmentation

Scan The Disk For Errors And Bad Sectors Snd Correct Them

Check all partitions of the hard disk and try to correct the mistakes which have been found. For this purpose, do the following:

  • Open the folder «This PC».

  • Right-click on the disk containing an error.

  • Select Properties / Tools / Check now (in the tab Error-checking).

As a result of scanning, the errors found on the disk can be corrected.

Run Disk Defragmentation

  • Open the folder «This PC» and right-click on the disk.

  • Select Properties / Tools / Optimize (in the tab Optimization and defragmentation).

  • Select the disk you need to optimize and click Optimize.

Note. In Windows 10 defragmentation/optimization can be scheduled so that it is performed automatically.

Repairing SanDisk Flash Drive

It is important to understand that any of the ways to eliminate errors in a SanDisk Flash Drive hard disk is only a virtual solution to the problem. Often it is impossible to remove the cause of the error completely, because the device needs repairing.

You can go to a service center to fix the breakage or replace parts/microchips of a SanDisk Flash Drive. Yet in this case the cost of works will be several times as expensive as buying a disk or memory card. So this step is only worth taking if you need to recover very important data.

Creating Backup Copy Of SanDisk Flash Drive

There are several solutions to create data backup copies:

  1. Applications built into the operating system. Microsoft Windows offers methods of data backup that suggest saving files and data to external or intrernal (built-in) media storages. All modern versions of Windows are already equipped the fuction of creating a backup copy of certain files or the entire hard disk if necessary. The functions offered by Windows are comprehensive and self-sufficient, and they are meant to be convenient enough so that you do not go looking for third-party services or software.

  2. Manual backup. You can always use the good old method of creating a backup copy by manually copying the data to an external medium. it is a long process but if you work with small amounts of data, such solution can be acceptable for you.

  3. Online services. Recently the most up-to-date way of data backup is becoming popular, represented by numerous online services. These are companies that provide backup for your files right on the Internet. A small background application installed on your computer creates copies of thnecessary data and saves them to a remote server. However, the space allowed for storing files in a free version is too small to use this method as a complex solution. Often this space is under 10 Gb so there is no way to create a backup copy of the entire hard disk. Such services are more practical when things come to backing up a series of files.

  4. Creating a disk image. This is the most comprehensive solution to create a backup copy which is preferred by advanced users. This method suggests using a third-party program to create a backup copy of the entire disk which can be used on another information-carrying medium if necessary. With this solution, you can get access to all data which was there on the disk at the time of copying - documents, software and media files - within a short period of time.

Models Flash Drive SanDisk:

  • Extreme;
  • Ultra;
  • Cruzer;
  • Connect;
  • iXpand;
  • Dual;

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Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

How do power surges or electrical issues impact the functionality and data stored on a USB Flash Drive SanDisk?

Power surges or electrical issues can have various impacts on the functionality and data stored on a USB flash drive, such as SanDisk. Here are some potential consequences:

  1. Data Corruption: Power surges or electrical issues can cause data corruption on the USB flash drive. This means that the stored data may become inaccessible or unreadable. It can lead to errors, missing files, or even complete data loss.
  2. File System Damage: Power surges can damage the file system structure on the flash drive. The file system manages how data is stored and retrieved. When the file system gets corrupted, it can result in the drive becoming unrecognizable or unreadable by the operating system.
  3. Physical Damage: In extreme cases, power surges can cause physical damage to the USB flash drive. Electrical spikes can burn the internal components, including the memory chips, controller, or connectors. This type of damage can render the drive completely unusable.
  4. Malfunctioning or Unresponsive Drive: Power surges can cause the USB flash drive to malfunction or become unresponsive. It may not be recognized by the computer or fail to establish a stable connection. The drive may freeze, crash, or exhibit erratic behavior.
  5. Reduced Lifespan: Frequent exposure to power surges or electrical issues can significantly reduce the lifespan of a USB flash drive. The internal components may degrade faster, leading to premature failure and potential data loss.

To mitigate the risks associated with power surges and electrical issues, it is recommended to:

  • Use surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to safeguard against power surges.
  • Safely eject the USB flash drive before disconnecting it from the computer.
  • Regularly back up the data stored on the drive to another reliable storage medium.
  • Store the USB flash drive in a safe place when not in use to minimize physical damage risks.

If a power surge or electrical issue has already affected your USB flash drive, it is advisable to seek professional data recovery services to retrieve any important data and assess the drive's physical condition.

What are the potential consequences of power surges or electrical issues on the physical components and data integrity of a USB Flash Drive SanDisk?

Power surges or electrical issues can have several potential consequences on the physical components and data integrity of a USB Flash Drive SanDisk:

  1. Physical damage: Power surges can cause a sudden increase in voltage, leading to the burning or melting of internal components of the flash drive. This can render the device completely non-functional.
  2. Data corruption: Power surges can disrupt the data transfer process, causing errors or incomplete writes to the flash drive. This can result in data corruption, where files become unreadable or inaccessible.
  3. Data loss: In severe cases, power surges can cause permanent damage to the flash drive, leading to complete data loss. The device may become unresponsive or fail to be recognized by the computer, making data recovery difficult or impossible.
  4. Wear and tear: Frequent power surges or electrical issues can put stress on the flash drive's electronic components, leading to accelerated wear and tear. This can reduce the overall lifespan of the device and increase the chances of failure.
  5. Firmware or software issues: Power surges can disrupt the firmware or software of the flash drive, causing it to malfunction or behave erratically. This can result in difficulties in accessing or using the device.

To mitigate these potential consequences, it is advisable to use surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to safeguard against power surges. Regularly backing up important data to multiple locations can also help minimize the impact of data loss or corruption in case of any unforeseen electrical issues.

In the event of a power surge or electrical issue, is it possible to recover the data stored on a USB Flash Drive SanDisk, and what are the recommended steps for data recovery in such cases?

In the event of a power surge or electrical issue, it is possible to recover data stored on a USB flash drive, including SanDisk drives, in most cases. However, the success of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage caused by the power surge or electrical issue. Here are some recommended steps for data recovery:

  1. Remove the USB flash drive from the affected device: If you were using the flash drive during the power surge or electrical issue, safely eject it from the device and disconnect it.
  2. Check for physical damage: Inspect the USB flash drive for any visible physical damage like burns, melted parts, or broken connectors. If you notice any severe physical damage, it may be more difficult to recover the data, and you may need to consult professional data recovery services.
  3. Test the USB flash drive on another device: Connect the flash drive to a different computer or device to check if it is recognized and accessible. Sometimes, the power surge might have caused temporary issues, and the drive could still be functional. If it is recognized, immediately copy the important data to another storage device.
  4. Use data recovery software: If the flash drive is not recognized or inaccessible, you can try using data recovery software. There are numerous free and paid software options available for USB flash drive data recovery. Some popular ones include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and MiniTool Power Data Recovery. Follow the instructions provided by the software to scan for recoverable files and attempt to retrieve them.
  5. Consult professional data recovery services: If the above steps do not work or if the data on the USB flash drive is crucial and irreplaceable, it is advisable to seek professional data recovery services. These experts have specialized tools and techniques to recover data from damaged drives. However, professional services can be costly, so it's important to weigh the value of the data against the potential cost.

Remember, prevention is always better than recovery. To protect your data from power surges or electrical issues, it is recommended to use surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to safeguard your devices and storage media.