Coventry Data Recovery – SDXC Card Recovery Experts

At Coventry Data Recovery, we specialise in advanced memory card recovery services. With over 25 years of technical expertise, we have successfully recovered data from thousands of failed SDXC cards, including severe cases involving controller failure, firmware corruption, and NAND degradation.

Common SDXC Card Failure: Not Recognised by File Explorer or Disk Utility

Issue Summary:
When a SanDisk SDXC card is not recognised in Windows File Explorer, macOS Disk Utility, or even Disk Management, it typically indicates one of the following:

  • Controller failure (the onboard chip that manages communication between the card and the host system)
  • Corrupt firmware
  • Failed NAND flash memory blocks
  • Damaged file allocation tables or partition structures

These failures render the card unreadable at the file system level, preventing access to any stored data, including photos, videos, or documents.

Step-by-Step Technical Recovery Process

Step 1: Initial Evaluation and Diagnosis

Upon receipt of the SDXC card, our engineers conduct a non-invasive diagnostic using write-blocked equipment. We confirm whether the card shows any signs of power or enumeration on a forensic reader.

Step 2: Electrical and Firmware Analysis

If the card does not register at all:

  • We test the internal controller IC for signal integrity and proper voltage flow.
  • Using specialised diagnostic tools, we determine whether the controller is responding correctly at firmware level.
  • We inspect the PCB for micro-cracks, trace damage, or cold joints under a stereo microscope.

Step 3: BGA Chip-Off or Monolith Access

In cases where the controller is irreparably damaged:

  • We perform a chip-off NAND extraction using hot air rework and BGA reballing if applicable.
  • If the card is a monolith design (single-chip SDXC), we carefully map pinouts manually and interface with a monolith adapter.

Step 4: Data Reconstruction

Once raw NAND dumps are obtained:

  • We use Flash Extractor, Soft-Centre, or PC-3000 Flash systems to rebuild the logical image.
  • ECC (Error Correction Code) analysis is used to fix bit-level corruption.
  • Block translator algorithms are applied to interpret the controller-specific page/block mapping schema.

Step 5: File System Repair

Once a valid image is reconstructed:

  • We repair corrupt partition tables, FAT/exFAT file structures, and recover the original directory tree.
  • In some cases, files are carved from raw sectors using signature-based extraction techniques.

Supported Card Types and Formats

We support recovery from:

  • SanDisk SDXC, SDHC, and microSDXC Cards (UHS-I, UHS-II, UHS-III)
  • exFAT and FAT32 file systems
  • Cards used in DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, drones, GoPros, Android phones, and more

Why Choose Coventry Data Recovery for SDXC Card Recovery?

  • 25 Years’ Specialist Experience
  • Full support for monolith and chip-off recovery
  • Safe, forensic-grade procedures (no in-card writing)
  • No fix, no fee recovery terms available
  • Custom tools for SanDisk-specific controller families

Next Steps

If your SanDisk SDXC card is not being recognised, do not attempt DIY fixes or reformatting. These actions may further damage or overwrite critical memory areas.

📩 Send your card to Coventry Data Recovery for immediate evaluation and professional data recovery.