topic Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS R7 won't format SD cards

acollins63 — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:06:30 GMT

I have a Canon EOS R7 and i have 2 SD cards that when I’m trying to format them it says “cannot format” and one that has a “write protected”. Any recommendations on a fix??

Re: SD formatting errors

p4pictures — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:00:54 GMT

Are these full-size SD cards, or microSD cards in an adapter? Using microSD cards in an adapter is a well known way to get all sorts of troubles.

Can you format these cards by putting them in an SD card reader and using a computer? I would try that and then if it is successful then try formatting them in the camera again.

If nothing works, then it's possible the cards have gone bad in some ways - I'd recommend replacing them with good quality UHS-II type SD cards from one of the major vendors such as Sandisk, ProGrade etc.

Re: SD formatting errors

acollins63 — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:21:12 GMT

They are full sized SD cards. I bought them all in November. How do you format them on a computer? I haven’t heard that being done before.

Thanks for the tips!

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

March411 — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:22:51 GMT

acollins63, have you checked to make sure they are not locked?

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

acollins63 — Sat, 11 May 2024 14:57:13 GMT

I will check that!

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

BookiiRivas — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:06:36 GMT

It's quite common to format your SD card using computer. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect the SD card to your PC via a card reader. (Make sure he is recognized by the computer properly. Well, you can see it in File Explorer or Disk Management.)

Step 2: Press Win+E to open File Explorer. You will find the SD card under 'Devices and Drives'.

Step 3: Right-click on it and select 'Format.' Then, choose the file system (e.g., FAT32, exFAT, NTFS) that you need. For most SD cards, FAT32 or exFAT is recommended. Click 'Start' to begin the formatting process.

I think you should know that formatting the SD card will erase all the data on it, so back it up in advance before doing so. Now, you should be good to go.

Plus, if your SD card is write-protected, it means that you can't format it. Many SD cards have a physical switch on the side that can be toggled to enable or disable write protection. Doesn't work? no worries at all, as you can remove it via CMD or registry. For more detailed steps, please refer to this guide. I won't elaborate further here.

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

dpsaiz — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 11:55:40 GMT

You can format your card on your PC then insert it into the camera. My 1Ds Mk II has a limit on the size of the partition on the card. I use a 32GB card and the camera is limited to creating an 8GB partition So I format the card on my PC so the partition is nearly the entire capacity of the card. The camera recognizes the larger partition size without issue.

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

kvbarkley — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:52:58 GMT

Are these name brand cards from a reputable source?

They could be bad or counterfeit cards.

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

normadel — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 22:18:20 GMT

Of course you can certainly format SD cards on a computer, same way you format a flash drive, hard drive or any other media. Right-click on the SD card in your file system (Windows File Explorer, Mac or Linux desktop) and select "Format". But the camera may not handle them well. Always format on the camera before shooting on a card.

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

dpsaiz — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 22:21:41 GMT

There's only one way to find out format the card on your PC and try it out by taking test photos around your home not just single images but burst of photos.

Re: EOS R7 won't format SD cards

susanjp — Tue, 27 May 2025 18:32:07 GMT

I just experienced the same issue with two SanDisk Ultra cards. The camera said it could not access the card and I should replace the card or format it, but the camera would not format either one. I took the cards to my computer (a Mac), inserted them into an SD card reader, and both cards opened without any issue. I did not do anything else after opening the card. I ejected the cards from the computer and tried them in the camera again, and they both worked. I have no idea why. Something about opening it on the computer fixed the problem.