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That usually means the file is either corrupted or not actually a JPEG, even though it has a .jpg extension. A few things you can try: Open the file with a tool like IrfanView, GIMP, or an online tool — they may handle broken images better. Try checking the file type with a tool like ExifTool or file (if you’re on Mac/Linux). It’ll tell you what the file actually is. If you still have access to the source, try re-downloading or copying the image again. There are repair tools out there (like Stellar Photo Repair).
Images can get corrupted for a bunch of reasons—like problems during saving, file transfer interruptions, bad sectors on your storage device, or even software glitches. Sometimes, if the file header (which tells your computer how to read the image) gets damaged, the picture won’t open.
As for fixing them, there are a few tools you can try, depending on the image format:
For JPEGs: Tools like Stellar Repair for Photo, JPEG Repair Toolkit, or online services can sometimes recover parts of the image.
For PNGs: Tools are less common, but some image editors like GIMP or Photoshop might open a corrupted file partially.
First, try opening the images with different programs like IrfanView or XnView. Sometimes the default viewer just gives up, but other apps can handle damaged files better.
If that doesn’t work, there are some repair tools you can try, like Stellar Repair for Photo or JPEG Repair Toolkit. They’re pretty good at fixing common issues like messed-up headers.
First things first: don’t format the card yet. That error usually means the file system is corrupted, but your data might still be there.
Here’s what I’d try:
– Try a recovery tool like: Recuva (free and easy to use on Windows), PhotoRec (a bit nerdier, but powerful), Stellar (has a free version that works pretty well)
Just install one, let it scan the SD card, and see if your files show up.
– Try CHKDSK (Windows): Plug in the SD card. Open Command Prompt (as admin), Type: chkdsk X: /f (replace “X” with the SD card drive letter).
Sometimes this magically fixes the corruption without deleting anything
-Try a different card reader or computer: You’d be surprised how often the reader is the issue, not the card itself.
If nothing works and recovery tools don’t find your stuff, then yeah, you might have to format it
There are a few options you can try to fix:
– Check Disk Management: Sometimes the drive is actually there but not showing up properly. On Windows, press Win + X, choose Disk Management, and see if your USB drive is listed. If it is, right-click and assign it a letter.
– Reinstall Drivers: Head to Device Manager (right-click on the Start menu > Device Manager), expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section, and uninstall the USB device. Restart your PC, and Windows should reinstall the drivers automatically.
– Run a Check Disk: If your drive is showing up but you’re seeing corrupted files, you can run a quick check to fix any errors. Open Command Prompt as admin, type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your USB letter), and hit Enter.
– Format the Drive: If there’s no important data on it, or you’ve already backed up what you need, you could try formatting it. Right-click the drive in File Explorer, hit Format, and choose a file system like exFAT.
– Data Recovery: If you really need the data and it’s not showing up, there are some free data recovery tools out there, like Recuva, Photorec, or Stellar Photo Recovery, that might be able to help.
There are a few things you could try to troubleshoot:
– Test on Linux or a Different OS: Sometimes, Windows has trouble detecting USB drives. If you can, boot up a Linux live USB (like Ubuntu) and see if it picks up the drive. Linux often recognizes drives that Windows can’t.
– Device Manager Check: In Windows, open Device Manager and see if the drive is listed under Disk Drives or Universal Serial Bus Controllers. If you see an exclamation mark or “Unknown Device,” you could try updating or uninstalling the driver, then restarting your computer.
– Diskpart in Command Prompt: If you’re comfortable with it, you could try using Diskpart. Sometimes a corrupted drive won’t show up in File Explorer, but Diskpart might still see it. You can open Command Prompt as admin and type diskpart > list disk. If it shows up, you can try assigning it a drive letter or see if there’s any issue with the partition.
– Data Recovery Software: If the drive is still showing up but you can’t access the files, you could try a data recovery tool like Photorec, Stellar Photo Recovery, or Recuva to recover your data before trying to format it.
It sounds like a connection or formatting issue. Here are a few things you can try:
– Check the SD card format – If it’s not in a compatible format (like FAT32 or exFAT), try reformatting it using your laptop (make sure to back up any data first).
– Test with another device – See if the card works on a phone or another camera to rule out the card being faulty.
– Update drivers – Make sure your laptop’s card reader drivers are up-to-date.
– Try a different card reader – If the one you’re using isn’t working, try a new or different reader.
– Check for physical damage – If the card’s contacts look dirty or scratched, cleaning them gently with a microfiber cloth could help.
Also, for future, enable Google Photos or Samsung Cloud sync. It’s a lifesaver. Once you recover these, set up a backup so you don’t have to go through this stress again
Had a similar scare with my S21 last year. Odin flash saved me, all pics intact. Just double-check you’re flashing the right regional firmware and don’t check the ‘repartition’ box. That’s where most people mess up
Good point @Ezra. I’ll try a recovery tool first, see if it detects the phone in its current state. If nothing shows, then maybe I’ll risk Odin
Don’t skip backups though. Even if you think nothing is accessible, sometimes recovery programs pull out cached photos or thumbnails. Better to have something than risk losing everything if Odin fails
Yes, flashing stock firmware through Odin usually just overwrites the system partition. Data often survives unless you explicitly choose the wipe option. But always back up what you can first..if recovery software can’t detect it now, flashing could be your shot.
I can actually get into Download Mode. Didn’t know reflashing might keep data though. If that’s the case, maybe I could try stock firmware before giving up?
Agree with Nina. Reset should be the very last option. I’d also check if you can get into Download Mode. Sometimes flashing the stock firmware through Odin restores the OS without wiping the data partition. But there’s always a risk.
Hi Silas,
You can try but that won’t work. 😉
It’s better to check the camera settings or Hardware issues.