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miniSD card is write-protected

Questions & Answers > Electronics
bidur mukhiya on December 28, 2007
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

i have a prima micro sd memory card i want to format it but when i click for format wendows says it is write protected how can i for met it and unluck the write proctected?
selvan on January 3, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

I have a china set phone that has the ability to play mp3 tracks and when I plug my miniSD card into my computer and try to download songs to it a message that says "this disk is write-protected either remove the write-protection or use a different card" appears and it is driving me crazy! help me please tell me step-by-step instructions to remove the write-protection and download my songs from my computer using windows media player
Shams on January 3, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

First of all, what do you mean download? is it from the internet? Your question is not clear!!! If you were copying files from your computer to SD, then check the tiny button into SD card itself that is protected or un-protected mode. Also try some data file are copying or not? Let me know.

Shamsur Rahman
Network & Infrastructure Consultant
MCSE, MCSA, MCSA-M & MCP
Member of Microsoft TechNet Pro & CIPS
imran lala on January 4, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

how to remove the write-protection and download my songs from my computer using windows media player
Varma on February 3, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Hifriends,

Just plca the SD-Card adaptors left side lock switch at middle position.

http://images.tigerdirect.com/itemDetails/T555-1018/T555-1018-callout.jpg

with love
Varma
wind on February 5, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

had the same problem as above
Althought the adaptor left side lock switch has been placed at middle position,it still not working for me but Varma's idea gave me a great inspiration here. it's the card reader's protection reading function problem. The protection reading sensor might not be on the same place for different machine. it is stupid. that's why some ppl turned switch couple of times it worked and others put some tapes it worked. All you have to do is try couple of times putting switch on different position b/w top and bottom (switch no need to be fully pushed to top or bottom) just like the picture Varma posted, it worked for him at mid and mine worked at 1/3 from the top.
Sunny on February 16, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Tape thing is hilarious but it worked for me!
rosie on March 14, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Hey i had the same problem with a mini sd card adapter all i did was unlock it take the memory card then inserted it again, but this time a pushed it all the way in and moved it around just a bit in the mmc/sd connection on the computer and it worked..hope this helps
jon on July 2, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

to get this to work you need to swith the lock off on the sd card and you neeed to put files on it using windows media player. worked for me and i have the lg voyeger.
madhan on August 16, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

in the mini sd i canot delete any file or folder are copy the file or folder please help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to solve this problem
eswar on October 16, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

when i tried to copy songs from laptap /desktop error message is coming indicating that my disc is write protected plz tell me
e. on November 4, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Hi guys i have a problem similar to yours. Except the cures I've found here don't cure!
My micro sd sd-card is new, so it wasn't in any device before, so the device it wasn't in before can't format it ^^. Ihave two options for linking it to my computer: via an adapter (with a lock-switch) and through a very special -_-' usb adapter (without the lock-switch) I've tried everything i've found in this forumand more: from downloading programs like 'Unlocker' (which obviously didn't work, 'cos it sounded too good to be true) to the tape thingy. Here's my question: Is there a way to unlock the microSD card via my computer? (Right-clicking the mouse won't work, believe me, I've tried for an hour long)

Thanks a lot!
Francisco on December 9, 2008
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Thanks to all. I also have problems with several Scandisk SD cards. The tape over the lock buton works but makes it difficult to slide in. I am also afraid that it will stay in and ruin the reader. Loading it into an old SD USB reader also works. But it seems this is not happening by error, this must be on purpose, but why?
Amanda on January 19, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Use the tape. I doubted it but it really works and its easy. I couldnt believe it.
sundar on February 16, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

same
molly on February 27, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

oh my god thank you so much. i had no clue there was a lock thing on the sd adapter and never wouldve known. thank you thank you thankyou.
abhijeet on March 9, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected(solution)

en though what is written below may work, the problem is probably that on the card
reader (if you have one) there is a small switch that has lock written on the side. If this is
pushed down, the drive is write protected, push it in the opposite direction and it may fix
your problem
I had the same problem with several cards but eventually found a way around it. DON'T
buy a new one!

Make sure the SD card lock is 'off' and then use thin, opaque sticky tape (ie non see-
through; eg insulation tape) to cover the whole gap but keep clear of the metal contacts at
the back.

Your card should work fine now... don't know why this has to be done, but it works!
Additional info:
Reason #1, the mechanical lock switch accidentally moves to the "locked" position during
insertion due to the poor quality of the switch. Hence, by taping it, you are actually
preventing the lock switch to travel towards the lock position. i.e. downwards.
Reason #2, if the above fails, it is likely your SD card reader/writer's fault.
But don't discard it or buy a new one yet. Allow me to explain the mechanical design of
the SD card lock mechanism. So that you may choose to repair it if you want to.
You will need a small paper clip and screw-driver to open your card reader. (Don't proceed
if your card reader is still under warranty, please return/exchange with manufacturer)
There is a mechanical switch very much like a micro push button (I wish I could show you
the picture/drawing). Anyway, depending on the position of the lock switch. You either
push or release this micro push button inside the SD card reader. Due to mechanical wear
and tear, or some forceful insertion of the SD card, the micro push button is in its "open"
circuit position, i.e. write-protected. In order to make the SD card reader writable, we will
need to "close" the circuit.
(Note: this is an irreversible process as I will be telling you how to remove the write-
protection feature of your SD card reader. Once you do this, you would be unable to use
the SD card lock switch to lock your data. So, just be careful not to accidentally delete your
data)
To proceed, you need to remove the main circuit board from the SD card reader/writer
enclosure.
The location of the micro push button switch is the same location as the unlock position
of the SD card when inserted in the SD card reader/writer.
From the BACK of the exposed SD card reader, insert the unfolded paper clip (same way
when you try to poke something like a device reset button) except, that it has to be long
enough to allow the micro switch to touch together for contact. Then insert the SD card.
Once the contact is "closed", your SD card reader/writer can write again.
I understand that without a drawing, this may not be very helpful. Please provide
suggestions or better explanation if you can. Thanks.my e mail is
abhijeet9923@gmail.com,mail me if you have any problem
kirk on March 15, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

I had the same problem! then i pushed the switch halfway and it worked... thanks.
beth on April 12, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

My camera's card said write protected and I found on the side of the card a little white button that slid forward and when I pushed it forward and re inserted it in the camera it no longer had the write proction display
???? on June 7, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

actually there is no tape or disassembly required....

simply put in lock mode and when your sliding it in push it up against the side of the insert
slot hard, that way it will slide back down instead of up! : )
lloyd on October 23, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

my problem is nothing have locked in my mmc its a plane nothing switch to lock, what i gonna do its write protected, ill think the problem is the card reader how to solve this?
chewwywell, i tried on October 27, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Well, I tried everything, Tape, pins, virus removal, etc. And finally, it was the tape that worked for me but I used black electrical tape after I read abhijeet's post about using opaque tape that I gave it another shot. It worked! Guess I was using the wrong type of tape. Reminds me of the VHS tape days when you'd break off that little piece of plastic at the front so no-one could tape over it. All you had to do then was block that hole.

Thanks all, and specifically, abhijeet.
jacklyn on November 30, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

this post is hilarious and its so helpful. I have tried everything written here and it hasnt worked.. my new Blackberry Tour came with a usb cord and I will just try that later.. thanks
S.Miller on December 19, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

UGH, thank goodness for this tread! Talk about one little invisible demonic button that can keep you cussing for hours! All I had to do was unlock a button that I didn't even know was there? I don't know if I'm happier now that I fixed the problem or if I just feel like an idiot, LOL! Thanks this really helped!
jayir on December 24, 2009
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Oh my God I have tried everything what you all ahve suggested, however I couldnĀ“t unlock this thing.
Should I buy another adapter?
smiley payne on January 13, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

i inserted my memory into someone elses phone and once i put it back into my phone none of the songs were there but it was saying that half of my memory was gone. so once i put it in my computer it says this disc is write-protected and it will not let me put any thing off of my computer on it. i want to know how to take that off
suresh on February 18, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

my sd card is write protected problem
pls help me
hasif on June 19, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

my sd card is write protected problem
pls help me
manoj on July 19, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

my sd card is write protected problem
ahmad on August 27, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

thank u for giving good idea how to solve miniSD writen protected
NURUL HUDA on September 17, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

Sir i N H ANSARI I request to you pls send to my solve to the question KHUSHBOO COMPUTER JAMUNAHJA BAZAR SHARVASTI UP
yash on October 13, 2010
miniSD card is write-protected

hello, i have mini sd 2 gb memory card it open but when i try to format
or try to copy file in it. it show the error write protected im try the
mini butttonon memory card jeck but problem not solve same problem has
with my 4gb kingston pendrive plz help me. reply me on
yashpreetkashyap@gmail.com
yaana on November 14, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ4D5PPpIJ0

check out you tube it shows you the cellotape thing xxxx
bethan on December 17, 2010
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

thank you dawg it worked and now i can pit things on there thanks :)
patty on January 5, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

OMG ive been banging my head agianst the wall trying to figure it out for months! seriously!!!!!!!! the tape thing worked!!! THANK YOU TO ALL YOU NERD GODS!! ps: put the tape on the opposite side of the "lock" switch on the adapter! it works! THANKS AGAIN!
treysonn on January 11, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

just a word of advice, if you use sandisk brand of mini sd, you will not be able to download music, try a different sd card, that is not ssandisk, for it only works with photos.
Haven on February 5, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

OMG. I was getting the copywrite protection message as well. This post saved me from going out and buying a new SD micro card and adapter!!! I pushed the little gray switch on the left side to the middle and now it works with now problems!!!
razel^^ on February 13, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

the problem is in the adapter., just put a transparent tape en hell yea it actually did work! ^^
sCOrPIo on February 16, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

hi guyz!!! i haved the same problem with my sd 2gb csrd!!!! ive tried
everything you suggest but badly it doesnt work!!! please help me!!!
dreamer64 on May 24, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

just use the tape trick but dont tape the left side of the adapter
rather tape the right side where there is a little hole like thingy and
tada it works! cheetos to you guys ^^
marissa on June 15, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

i removed my lock switch and taped over it in desperation, after trying everything else suggested in this forum.

has anyone heard of a computer automatically reading microSD's as "Write Protected"? Because I used a new adapter and two different microSD's to ensure it wasn't the memory cards.

thanks for all of the suggestions, though.
ramona on August 8, 2011
my sd card shows on my phone error.

hi. i,m been using my usb cable to download music from m lap top tp my phone. but all of a sudden while loading the music the sd card is buzy. and while waiting, and open my phone to see if my music is thereis showing me a error on the screen. i,m getting really piss with this lap top. could u help me out? please!
mama mia on August 11, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

You all are stupid.
Saiful on August 15, 2011
miniSD card is write-protected

I removed "Write Protected" for memory card?
veera on August 17, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

minSD card is write-protected
zelda.inc on August 25, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

i tried removing the write protection 0n my mini sd using my laptop how do i do it
vanco on September 22, 2011
Verbarim micro SD card 4gb

hi i have a problem with my micro sd card.When i put card in my phone i
need to enter pass but i dont know pass. Any one have some solution for
me..
craig paler on November 14, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

i had this problem, i changed the card reader i was useing and it worked
amit parmar on November 17, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

plcing the SD-Card adaptors left side lock switch at middle position.
worked fro me thanks......
Ajay Mobile on November 17, 2011
RE: miniSD card is write-protected

My problem is mm card-write Protected" for memory card? please Contact me my No.9826083430
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