How To Fix Corrupted Memory

Computer memory corruption can cause your system to slow down, crash, or fail to boot. Whether it’s a USB flash drive, SD card, or RAM, corrupted memory creates frustration and data loss risks. Fortunately, there are several ways to diagnose and repair memory corruption before replacing it.

Causes of Corrupted Memory

1. Improper shutdowns – sudden power loss or forced restarts.

2. Virus or malware attacks – malicious files damaging memory.

3. Bad sectors or hardware aging – common in USBs and SD cards.

4. File system errors – caused by improper formatting or unsafe removal.

5. Overheating or electrical surges – damaging RAM chips or circuits.

How to Fix a Corrupted USB or SD Card Memory

1. Check the Device on Another Port or PC

• Sometimes the issue is with the port, not the memory.

• Connect it to another computer before troubleshooting further.

2. Run Built-In Error Checking (Windows)

1. Insert the device.

2. Go to This PC → Right-click the drive → Properties.

3. Open Tools → Check under Error Checking.

4. Follow prompts to repair file system errors.

3. Use Command Prompt (chkdsk)

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

2. Run the command:

   chkdsk X: /f


   (Replace X with your drive letter.)

3. This scans and fixes file system corruption.

4. Format the Memory (Last Option)

• Backup important files first (if possible).

• Right-click the device → Format → Choose FAT32 or exFAT → Start.

• This clears corruption but erases all data.

How to Fix Corrupted RAM Memory

1. Reseat the RAM Sticks

• Shut down the computer and unplug the power.

• Remove RAM modules carefully and reinsert them properly.

2. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

1. Press Win + R → Type mdsched.exe.

2. Choose Restart now and check for problems.

3. The system scans RAM for errors.

3. Test RAM With MemTest86 (Advanced)

• Download MemTest86 and create a bootable USB.

• Run the test to detect faulty memory modules.

4. Replace Faulty RAM

• If errors persist, replace the defective RAM stick with a new one.

As a result, you suffer a great disaster. Finally, you lose some of your necessary documents and suffer from disappointment. Although such a useless memory card can be activated in various ways, it is difficult to fix a completely damaged or externally damaged memory card. However, in the era of modern computers, everything is possible.
Now I will tell you how to fix a damaged memory card.

You need to use data recovery software:

The information on the memory card is visible, but it cannot be used. In this case, the data is present, but the computer or other device cannot read it. In this case, everyone thinks that the memory card must have been damaged. But no, recovery software can bring the memory card back from such a situation.
And for this, what you need to do:
First, insert the memory card into the card reader and connect it to the computer. Keep in mind that if the memory card is shown in File Explorer or like other disks on the hard drive, it cannot be accessed, but the file system is fine. Now go to the Start menu of your Windows and type cmd. In this, you will see the command prompt (CMD) at the top of your Start menu.

Now right-click on it and select Run as administrator to open it.
When the command prompt is launched, type chkdsk /m here and click Enter.

Here, m is the memory card drive.

Enter the drive letter of the card that will be shown on the computer, and let the check disk work be completed.
When the message convertlostchainstofiles appears here, press y.

In this case, if the file structure is correct, the card information can be used again. If the memory card shows an invalid filesystem, then right-click on its drive and click Format. Select FAT from the file system, uncheck Quick format, and click Format. When the format is complete, the memory card information will not be damaged even if it is lost.