My computer says "The disk is write protected"

This article helps you troubleshoot a microSD card that your computer reports as write protected.

If Windows File Explorer or macOS Disk Utility displays the error message "The disk is write protected" when you attempt to format your microSD card, follow the physical lock steps below.

Already tried some steps? Jump to:

1.   Unlock the Physical Lock Switch on the SD Card Adapter

2.   Use a THINKWARE USB microSD Reader Without a Lock Switch

3.   Use DiskPart in Command Prompt

Unlock the Physical Lock Switch on the SD Card Adapter

Required tools: microSD-to-SD adapter with a lock switch and a computer with a compatible SD card slot.

A full-sized SD card adapter has a mechanical slider that can enable write protection.

1. Locate the small plastic slider switch on the left edge of the full-sized SD card adapter.

2. If the switch is pushed down into the Lock / Write Protect position, slide it upward toward the metal contact pins into the Unlocked position.

3. Re-insert the adapter into your computer slot and format the card again.

Use a THINKWARE USB microSD Reader Without a Lock Switch

Required tools: THINKWARE USB microSD card reader and a PC or Mac.

Standard SD card adapters can accidentally slide into the locked position when pushed into tight laptop card slots.

To avoid write-protection locks, use an official THINKWARE USB microSD Adapter (dongle), which plugs directly into a USB-A or USB-C port without any mechanical locking switches.

Use DiskPart in Command Prompt

Required tools: Windows PC with the microSD card connected through a card slot or reader.

1. Press the Windows Key, type cmd, right-click [Command Prompt], and select [Run as administrator].

2. Type diskpart and press Enter.

3. Type list disk and press Enter to see all connected drives.

4. Identify the memory card by its capacity and note its disk number, such as Disk 2. Check the selected disk is the intended card before changing its attributes.

5. Type select disk [number] (replacing [number] with your actual disk number) and press Enter.

6. Type attributes disk clear read only and press Enter to clear the protection.

None of the above worked

If the issue continues after testing without a card, formatting on a PC or Mac, unlocking write protection, and trying a new compatible THINKWARE card, contact THINKWARE support.

If "Memory Card Error" returns at the next startup after an in-camera format, including on Q800PRO or Q200, contact THINKWARE support for a warranty assessment.

Please refer to About THINKWARE's warranty policy for warranty requests or technical evaluation.

Need more help?

Contact the support team for your region by email or phone. We’ll respond to your email as quickly as we can.

North America (US/CA)
Email: support@thinkware.com
Phone: 1-844-865-9273

United Kingdom (UK)
Email: support.eu@thinkware.com
Phone: +44 (0) 333-121-0008

Europe (EU)
Email: support@thinkwarestore.com
Phone: +49 69 943 22200