How to unlock a memory card on a Canon camera?

How to unlock a memory card on a Canon camera? Your Canon camera displays “memory card locked” (or “card write protected”) in bright red as soon as you insert your SD card. No additional images can be taken, and your Canon cannot be used to erase them.

You may ask yourself: “What do I do,” since you’re likely feeling confused and anxious. Is there a method to unlock the Canon camera’s memory card? In that case, how?

Fortunately, the procedure is fairly easy. In this post, I’ll go over the simple methods you can follow to unlock your Canon memory card. It also covers potential reasons why your memory card may be locked as well as techniques to minimize corrupting or locking of cards over time.

Unlocking the Memory Card

We can guide you if your card is locked and you don’t know how to unlock it. Please adhere to these directions:

1. Shut off the camera.
2. The SD memory card is housed in a slot on the side of the device. Access this storage space.
3. A black button that, when clicked, will eject the memory card will be visible.
4. If you click this button while holding the card in your palm, a plastic switch can be seen on the memory card. The card is unlocked when this button is in the up position. Drag it over.
5. Put the memory card back in and start your camera.

The Lock/Unlock Button

When this problem occurs, you should first examine the switch on the memory card’s side. This is the grey switch nearest the viewer in the image up top. Many SD cards have switches that you can simply slide from the “Locked” to the “Unlocked” position to lock or unlock the card. 

Re-insert the SD card into your Canon camera at this time. The red error notice “Memory card locked” should no longer be shown. Now that files can be read and recorded by your camera, you should be able to capture and erase pictures at will.

This is one of the most frequent reasons for detecting a locked SD memory card. I hope this approach was successful for you.

Possible Reason: A Faulty Lock Switch

Your memory card may have switched to locked mode due to a loose lock switch. It continues to move back and forth between the unlocked and locked positions.

If this is the situation for you, changing the memory card might be beneficial. The memory card can also be unlocked using some perhaps more primitive techniques. Some people restore their memory cards on their own with toothpicks, but we don’t recommend doing this unless you’re certain and prepared to take a chance. Others also secure the switch using duct tape or check to see whether the card is damaged or crushed. You can certainly try it, but we can’t guarantee it will be a long-term fix.

Not Suitable Memory Cards

The fact that the memory card is incompatible with your Canon camera is another possibility that it might be locked. Even within brands, various cameras have specialized compatibility. As a result, a card that is compatible with one model may not be compatible with another, recent model.

Remember that some recent memory cards, such as SDHC and SDXC, won’t work with aged cameras. For example, if you attempt to use a new SD memory card with an outdated Canon camera, you can experience problems with the memory card.

Keep in mind that your card and camera should be compatible. Otherwise, there’s a possibility that you’ll have issues that are worse than just the memory card being locked.

The fix for a Canon Powershot memory card problem is easier than you might believe. In most cases, one of the aforementioned fixes will fit you, but if they don’t, we advise you to get a brand new, suitable memory card.

Interested in finding out which memory card we suggest for Canon cameras? The top three are listed below.

1. SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I

This SanDisk memory card is our top recommendation if you want to spend money on your camera’s high-quality external memory card. The brand is renowned for its high caliber and broad selection of its products. It is also simple to use in various weather circumstances due to its sturdy design.

The following are the essential characteristics:

• 4K video can be recorded on the memory card.
• It is twice as speedy as regular memory cards, making it possible for you to take and transmit files immediately.
• The memory card has a Class 10 rating for full HD video, which means it performs exceptionally well when capturing videos.
• The memory card has a ten-year warranty and is waterproof, temperature-proof, shockproof, and durable.
• The storage capacities of this SanDisk memory card range from 32GB to 1TB.

2. Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB SDXC UHS-I Card

Lexar is another brand that consistently outshines itself with cutting-edge goods. This Lexar Professional memory card, which has a UHS Speed Class 3 rating, is another option (U3). It has large-capacity choices that reach as high as 512GB.

The following are the essential characteristics:

• Both the extended Full-HD and 4K UHD video lengths and high-quality photos can be recorded on the memory card.
• Its robust design makes it simple to use in all challenging circumstances.
• Using the memory card, you may transfer data quickly.
• Additionally, it includes a Lexar recovery application that enables you to retrieve all of your images and some of your video recordings.

3. SanDisk Ultra 128GB SDXC UHS-I

You might choose this alternative SanDisk model if you want a memory card that won’t break the bank. This memory card offers superior performance, quick downloads, and great capacity, much like the rest of the SanDisk line.

The following are the essential characteristics:

• The memory card works with both camcorders and small-to-midsize point-and-shoot cameras.
• It facilitates a speedy file transmission to your laptop and provides top-notch video recording capabilities.
• Additionally, this memory card has a built-in write-protect switch that guards against unintentional data loss.
• It works with SDHC/SDXC cards and other SDHC-I/SDXC-I devices.

Although realizing your locked memory card can be terrifying, don’t worry! It may only take a simple switch slide to solve this issue.

Recall that the switch may occasionally be the culprit, or possibly your memory card and camera aren’t compatible. If you notice that your memory card is having issues, you might want to think about formatting it. Just make sure you use your Canon camera to do it rather than a computer. 

FAQs on How to Unlock a Memory Card on a Canon Camera?

Originally posted on October 12, 2022 @ 10:34 pm