Fix & Recover Data from a PNY SD Card Showing RAW Format (Step-by-Step)

Overview: A PNY SD card showing up as "RAW" means the operating system can't recognize its file system. This often indicates corruption or damage, potentially due to improper removal, formatting errors, or viruses. Solutions include using free data recovery software iCare Recovery Free, trying to format the card, or using CHKDSK to repair the file system.

If your PNY SD card suddenly appears as RAW ⚠️, asks to be formatted 💾, or says “card is not formatted,” don’t panic 🚫. This guide explains what the PNY SD card RAW issue means, how to recover files first, and then how to safely repair the file system without losing data ✅.

🛠️ Before You Do Anything: Recovery First, Repair Second

Formatting or running disk tools can overwrite data ⚡. The safest workflow is:

⏹ Stop using the SD card immediately (avoid saving new files).
🔍 Use data recovery software to extract your photos/videos/documents.
💾 After recovery, repair or format the card and then copy the files back.

⭐ Free Tool Spotlight: iCare Recovery Free

iCare Recovery Free is a free data recovery utility 🆓 that can help with PNY SD card RAW recovery. It scans the card at a low level and attempts to locate lost files even when the file system is corrupted or the card appears as RAW.

✔️ Works with RAW, formatted, or inaccessible SD/microSD cards.
✔️ Supports common file types: photos 📷, videos 🎥, and documents 📄.
✔️ Simple workflow: scan → preview → recover to a safe location.

Tip: 💡 Always recover to your computer or another drive, not back to the SD card.

📖 How to Recover Files from a PNY SD Card in RAW Format (Using iCare Recovery Free)

🔌 Connect the PNY SD/microSD via a reliable card reader.
⬇️ Download, install and open iCare Recovery Free.
🖥️ Select the RAW PNY SD card from the device list and start a Deep Scan.
👀 Preview found files (photos/videos/documents) to verify integrity.
📂 Click Recover and save to your computer’s internal drive.

🔧 After Recovery: Fix the RAW Error

Once you’ve recovered important data 🗂️, you can repair the card so it’s usable again:

⚡ Quick format (Windows): Right-click the PNY SD card in File Explorer → Format → choose FAT32 (≤32GB) or exFAT (>32GB) → Start.
🍏 Quick format (macOS): Disk Utility → select the card → Erase → exFAT or MS-DOS (FAT).
🔄 If the quick format fails, try a full format or use the camera’s in-device format option.

Note: ⚠️ If formatting fails repeatedly, the card may be physically worn or damaged. Consider replacing it 🛒.

📝 How to Fix a PNY SD Card in RAW Format

If your PNY SD card is in RAW format, you have several options to restore it. Below are proven methods to fix the issue depending on whether you want to recover data first or just make the card usable again.

🔹 1. Data Recovery Software

Before doing anything, try recovering your files. Use reputable free data recovery software such as iCare Recovery Free. It can scan the RAW PNY SD card and attempt to retrieve lost files. If your priority is PNY SD card RAW recovery, this is the safest first step.

Download and install iCare Recovery Free.
Select the PNY SD card RAW drive and start scanning 🔍.
Preview found files and recover them to a safe location 💾.

🔹 2. Formatting the SD Card

If data recovery is not a priority, you can format the card to restore usability. ⚠️ Warning: Formatting will erase all existing data.

Open File Explorer → right-click on the PNY SD card → select Format.
Choose a suitable file system:
- 📀 FAT32 – compatible with most cameras, phones, and smaller cards.
- 💻 NTFS – for larger files and better performance on Windows.
Click Start to complete formatting ✅.

Advanced users can also format via Disk Management or diskpart in Command Prompt. Alternatively, tools like Recoverit make the process easier.

🔹 3. Using CHKDSK Command

If you prefer not to format immediately, you can attempt to repair the file system using CHKDSK. This tool checks the SD card for errors and fixes them if possible.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator 🖥️.
Type: chkdsk [drive letter]: /f (replace [drive letter] with the actual SD card letter).
Press Enter ⌨️ and allow CHKDSK to scan and repair the card.

The /f parameter tells CHKDSK to fix errors automatically. This method may resolve pny sd card says card is not formatted without wiping your data.

📌 What Does “PNY SD Card RAW” Mean?

“RAW” indicates the card’s file system (FAT32/exFAT) is missing, damaged, or unreadable 🛑. Windows/macOS can’t mount it, so you see prompts like “You need to format the disk before you can use it.” Typical symptoms include:

💡 PNY SD card asks formatting every time you insert it.
💡 PNY SD card says card is not formatted when you try to open it.
💡 Capacity shows as 0 bytes or can’t be accessed.
💡 Camera/phone says “memory card error.”

🛡️ Preventing Future “PNY SD Card RAW” Problems

✅ Always use “Safely Remove” before unplugging the card.
✅ Format the card in the device (camera/phone) that will use it.
✅ Avoid filling the card to 100% capacity.
✅ Update camera/reader firmware and use quality card readers.
✅ Back up photos/videos regularly to a computer or cloud ☁️.

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❓ FAQ: PNY SD Card RAW, Formatting Prompts & Recovery

💭 Why does my PNY SD card show RAW?

The file system may be corrupted due to unsafe ejection, power loss, bad sectors, or wear ⚡. When the OS can’t read FAT/exFAT, it labels the card as RAW, which triggers messages like pny sd card asks formatting or pny sd card says card is not formatted.

💭 Can I fix a PNY SD card in RAW format without losing data?

Yes—recover data first, then repair ✅. Use a recovery tool (e.g., iCare Recovery Free) to extract files from a pny sd card raw format device. After recovery, format the card to FAT32/exFAT and copy files back.

💭 Which file system should I choose after recovery?

For 64GB+ cards, use exFAT 📂. For ≤32GB cards or older devices, use FAT32. Check your camera/device manual for compatibility 📘.

💭 iCare Recovery Free found files but they won’t open. What now?

Try recovering alternate versions of the same file 🔄, let the scan complete, and avoid saving to the SD card. Some files may be partially overwritten; preview before saving to verify integrity 👀.

💭 My card still says “not formatted” after I recovered and formatted it—why?

Persistent errors suggest hardware damage 🔧 or wear leveling failure. If multiple formats fail and the card becomes RAW again, replace the card 🛒. Continued use risks further data loss.

💭 Does this work for microSD in an adapter?

Yes ✅. The same PNY SD card RAW recovery steps apply. If possible, test with a different, high-quality card reader 🔌 or a different computer 🖥️ to rule out reader/USB issues.

📌 Summary

When a PNY SD card RAW issue appears—pny sd card asks formatting or pny sd card says card is not formatted—do not format immediately 🚫. Perform pny sd card raw recovery with a free tool like iCare Recovery Free ⭐, then rebuild the file system (FAT32/exFAT) and restore your data 💾.

Video - how to fix memory card not formatted error

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More Users Cases PNY SD Card RAW Format Error

"My PNY SD card is in RAW format error, so I am unable to access files stored on this card. Now, I post my question here and hope that somebody who knows the solution for RAW PNY SD card recovery can tell me what to do."

"Is it possible for PNY SD card RAW file system data recovery? My PNY SD card stops working in my mobile phone, so I connect it to my computer but Windows system detects SD card as a RAW drive and says SD card needs to be formatted. How do I get back lost files from RAW PNY SD memory card and reapir the corrupted sd card ?"

"Can I get back my pictures from PNY SD memory card that is inaccessible due to RAW error? This PNY SD card reports RAW in my digital camera and PC, which disables me to read or write any data on the card."

PNY SD card turns to RAW format, but previous data is still stored on this card? In this situation, you do not need to worry because all previous data can be restored as long as you can put the PNY SD card in a safe place to stop it from suffering any physical damage or data overwriting.

Last updated on Aug 22, 2025

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