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Memory Card Error Canon Powershot S400 / Ixus 400 / a75 - Repair & Recover Photos!

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Memory Card Error Canon Powershot S400 / Ixus 400 / a75 - How to Fix, Repair & Recover Your Photos!

If you are getting a Memory Card Error on your Canon S400, Powershot s400, Ixus 400 or other Cannon digital camera, usually what will fix this is to simply format the card (SanDisk or which ever memory card) you are using.

The problem is, if you format the memory card, you will reduce your chances of being able to recover the pictures you took. What do you do in this situation?

Memory Card Error Canon? Fix it Easily & Recover Your Pictures

If you have this Memory Card Error or (Memory Card Error - "Card Locked" is another common error on the Canon S400) and you DON'T NEED the pictures that are currently on your camera, feel free to just format the memory card. This should fix your error message.

If you DO NEED the pictures -- you will have to use a good photo recovery tool.

How do you format the memory card on your Canon?

Find out below, but first...

Memory Card Error - Why?

The Memory Card Error message on your Canon usually is the result of your memory card becoming corrupt or damaged. You might have taken out the memory card (ejected it) while the camera was still on. This is a common reason why a SanDisk memory card becomes corrupt for example.

Another reason is that you turned off your camera while you were transferring your photos to your computer. Don't do this, it can really wreck the memory card.

Other reasons why your memory card (sd card) can become corrupted, damaged or display these Memory Card Errors is that you have not re-formatted the card on a regular basis. You should always re-format your memory card when you have transferred your photos and saved them on your PC. (and when you don't need the photos anymore). This is a good habit to get into and it will ensure that you don't face these memory card errors in the future.

Finally, you might have used the same memory card in different cameras. This can cause the Memory Card Error problem as well.

How To Recover Photos/Pictures after Memory Card Error Problem

Fix Memory Card Error Canon

Ok, so your Canon is displaying the Memory Card Error message and you really need to get the pictures off even though your card is possibly corrupt? What do you do in this situation?

The good news is that your photos are still intact on your memory card. However, DON'T format the card and DON'T take any more pictures on it.

Why?

Because taking more pictures writes over the old ones. If you keep adding pictures, the likelihood of being able to recover them diminishes with every photo.

To recover your pictures you need a good photo recovery program such as Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery. You can download it free, let it scan your memory card and recover your photos...

...then, when you retrieve the pictures you want, try formatting the card.

This should fix the "Memory Card Error" message.

How do I format the memory card on Canon s400, Ixus s400 ?

Put the memory card in. Press Menu button. Then scroll around to find the "format" button. You should get the "verify message" whether you really want to delete all data from your memory card.

Remember, don't format if you need the pictures. You should receive a message that says, "no images" or "no data" if your Canon was correctly formatted.

Comments:

Getting the Memory Card Error message?

Were you able to fix the problem? How?

Share your comments with others experiencing the same problem on their Canon digital camera...

  • Miles Meacham Mar 7, 2012 @ 5:36 pm | delete
    I have a Canon Powershot SD780 IS and with all memory cards it says memory card error. Other devices are able to read the cards so it is clearly a problem with the camera. What do I do?
  • Dave Jan 20, 2012 @ 5:57 am | delete
    The IXUS 400 has a known fault se wikipedia.The camera should have been recalled and repaired free of charge . For this camera it is not usually the memory card that is faulty
  • Rachael A Jan 3, 2012 @ 2:12 am | delete
    Hi,
    I have a IXUS 70. I can see my pictures display on the camera but if i connect it to the computer to copy the pictures, i can not see anything when i connect my camera to the computer and i meed the pictures. Please help what i can i do to copy my pictures.
  • kc123 Dec 11, 2011 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    i have an a470 and the card said 'memory card error' i formatted it and it still says memory card error...help!
  • Siamak Dec 6, 2011 @ 5:01 pm | delete
    I have a "Canon SX130 IS" with an 8 Gb memory card. It gives the same memory card error BUT the memory card can be read by my LAPTOP. I have tried to format it using the camera but in vain. Even I have formatted it using my laptop but then when I put it in my camera the photos are somehow back. Could anyone help me out with this?
  • Dee Dec 3, 2011 @ 5:03 am | delete
    Followed the above instructions for my Canon Powershot A490 and the problem was fixed. Lost all photos but luckily they were saved elsewhere.
  • ShaunaBGrimes Oct 23, 2011 @ 6:50 am | delete
    I have a FUJIFILM camera but it's saying 'card error' aswell, I chacked and it is off lock. I tried formating and nothing.
  • Walter hj Aug 11, 2011 @ 5:01 am | delete
    I have the same problem "memory card error" but card is ok, I can use the camera if I only use memory cards 512mb or smaller.
    -w
  • Vaibhav.... Aug 10, 2011 @ 2:34 am | delete
    I ws trying to attach my nikon DSL 3100 to sony LCD by usb cable , but the LCD was not giving any response...Wt to do...... ?
    i Had tried other pan drives they are working fine. why LCD is not reading pics Dslr memory card.
  • Gerry Feb 3, 2011 @ 10:47 am | delete
    Did that on my Canon IXUS400. . . still getting the "memory card ereror" sign. What now?
  • Pam H Aug 21, 2010 @ 3:15 pm | delete
    Format option is grayed out under tool menu.
  • Lexi Aug 25, 2011 @ 1:43 pm | delete
    mine too ... did u find a solution?
  • Tania Jun 10, 2010 @ 1:01 pm | delete
    My canon ixus 100 got dropped twice and now it says ''card locked''... i have checked the card and my conclusion is its something wrong with the camera itself not the card. how do i fix my camera ? i can't take pictures while its like this and i can't afford another one HELP PLEASE !
  • Andrew Jun 9, 2011 @ 1:42 pm | delete
    hey Tania, i have the same problem. did you get it fixed?
  • Ron Mar 26, 2010 @ 9:50 am | delete
    formatting worked. I had to do it twice. This also made another memory card work without have to reformat it thus saving the pictures. Cannon PowerShot S 500
  • Ron Mar 26, 2010 @ 9:50 am | delete
    formatting worked. I had to do it twice. This also made another memory card work without have to reformat it thus saving the pictures. Cannon PowerShot S 500
  • alsion Dec 5, 2009 @ 4:09 pm | delete
    I have a Canon A650 that was displaying a "card locked!" First, of course, check the lock tab on the card itself. Then, try a different SD card in the same camera. I tried an old 256 MB card from an older camera. I still got the "card locked" message. When I put the 1 GB card I was struggling with in my old Nikon, it read fine. So at this point I knew it was my camera and not the card. I also tried re-formatting, cleaning the contacts and blowing into the card slot (recommended somewhere else). What finally worked was very gently pressing down on the metal flap inside the card chamber that detects the lock with the tip of a straightened paperclip. When I turned the camera on again the problem was gone. Hope this helps someone else out there.
  • jessie Jan 8, 2011 @ 1:50 pm | delete
    yes its true, finally it works also on my ixus 9515 canon.. thanks for the tips! :)
  • L. Moore Feb 3, 2011 @ 7:52 am | delete
    Followed these steps and fixed my Canon SD780is - Thanks!
  • molo Sep 22, 2011 @ 4:46 pm | delete
    I just taped the locking area on SD card using tape. It fixed the problem.
  • soph Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:56 am | delete
    i have a conon A470 that isnt mine i borrowed from a family member.
    and it keeps saying to me. card error. my family member will kill me if its broke.
    because it has all his honeymoon pictures on. and wedding photos.
    what do i dooooo!? :| x
  • cubes Jul 31, 2009 @ 7:41 am | delete
    asantiago,
    did you ever figure out how to solve that problem. I have the same problem now, where the "format" button is dulled and the camera wont let me click on it.
  • Sam Jun 15, 2009 @ 11:08 pm | delete
    Just picked up a Canon SD-780 and inadvertently reformatted the card, losing shots and videos of grand-kids here for only 2 days. The manual says quite a lot about "erasing" but little about the consequences of formatting and nothing about "low format," which is what I activated. I'm wondering if there's a prayer of retrieving the pictures and video.
  • Gaza_wrote May 4, 2009 @ 6:42 pm | in reply to asantiago | delete
    My powershot has this error. Try plugging the card into a card reader attached to your computer. Can still read and play video using a separate card reader. Also can save from the card to computer. Just cant save anymore pics when the card is back in the camera until i decide to format, or take off the last batch of photos before the error occurred? Hope this helps
  • prash May 3, 2009 @ 12:09 pm | in reply to Adriana | delete
    hi adrina...i hv a similar problem with my brand new camera sx10is...same memory card error...i bought a 8gb transcend sdhc card and got this error....is the error fixed for ur camera...if so let me know wt u did...thanks ya...my email prashleo2006@gmail.com
  • Sara- Feb 11, 2009 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    I have a canon camera i'm not sure the exact model because I don't have it in front of me and took pictures on an 8g while i was overseas, I tried to download the pictures off the chip but in another camera (cannon but diff camera) and im getting the error message, I've tried so many things people recommend even tried taping the lock mechanism! arg im so frustrated, I have thousands of pictures from across the world and I will be devastated to lose them, I really dont want to take any risks until I know it will work or i will lose one of the best vacations of a lifetime.... help! what do you recommend?
  • Adriana Jan 15, 2009 @ 8:25 am | delete
    I get the same memory card error on my Canon Powershot Sx10is. I just got it brand new yesterday and got the card. put it in and it said "memory card error" right off the bat. i hope its not the camera. :| ill be super pissed off
  • asantiago Jan 11, 2009 @ 5:06 pm | delete
    i keep getting memory card error, tried going into menu, but format is not high-lighted. Camera keeps by-passing it. How do I get into the Format?
  • siraj khan May 9, 2011 @ 12:26 pm | delete
    i have canon ixy400 digital camera when i formate it then he will go to off and show e50 error how i fix it my id is
    dille15nadaa@yahoo.com plz help me!
Show All

Memory Card Error Canon: Table of Contents

  1. Memory Card Error Canon? Fix it Easily & Recover Your Pictures
  2. Memory Card Error - Why?
  3. How To Recover Photos/Pictures after Memory Card Error Problem
  4. How do I format the memory card on Canon s400, Ixus s400 ?
  5. Comments:
  6. Memory card error Canon Powershot, Ixus from the blogosphere
  7. Memory Card Error Canon Photo Recovery

Memory card error Canon Powershot, Ixus from the blogosphere

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