Why Are All My Memory Cards Write Protected All Of A Sudden

[TazHow]

All of my memory cards a write protected all of a sudden. It doesn't seem to matter what I do I can't add or delete files and can't even re format them. What am I missing its driving me mad?

[jno]

is this any help?

https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1102/~/sd%2Fsdhc%2Fsdxc-memory-card-is-write-protected-or-locked

[Old_Geezer]

Oh, I pictured memory RAM cards in PC sockets :-O

[TonyV]

Someone has reconfigured them.

[TazHow]

Hi jno. used the link but to no avail. I have three adaptors and three cards all different manufacturers but with the same problem. There was a hint that it might be the car camera that has set them this way so I think I need to check the settings again. Thought I'd done that but worth another check.

[bhg481]

Can you be a bit more specific, please. I think we all assumed it was SDHC cards for a photographic camera but your last response implies they are micro SD cards from a dashcam. Is that the case and, if so, what is the make and model of your dashcam?

[TazHow]

bhg481 you are correct in that they are micro SD cards. The dashcam is one from ebay (item number 312835739477). Unfortunately like a lot of stuff from china there is no manufacturer identified.

[Togo]

Read this Taz. Some options to remove the "write protection". One of these methods will clear it.

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Write-Protection-on-an-SD-Card

[bhg481]

Micro SD cards don't have a protection system but, if you read them on a computer,an adaptor will have. Make sure the adaptor has got its protection switch in the "Up" position.
When you read the cards on the computer can you tell us what directories and files are on them. Most dashcams have a protection system which prevents some files from being overwritten so that files recording an accident are not inadvertently destroyed; there is sometimes a special way of removing these files to clear space on the disc. You might not have had an accident but, if the sensitivity of your camera is set too high (it's adjustable) you might be protecting files you don't actually need to keep.

[Togo]

Another tip. Never...never... buy crap cheap ones. They will let you down especially in a dash cam or home security system. I stick with Sandisk and have no issues with clarity or longevity of use.

[Togo]

//Micro SD cards don't have a protection system //

They do. You need the sd card adaptor supplied with them to turn off write protection if it is on. Sandisk do not sell their cards with protection on as far as I remember. Other suppliers may.

[bhg481]

Togo - if you use Sandisk you MUST use their High Endurance type. I am a big Sandisk fan and use them in all my cameras but, when I had trouble with one in a dashcam, Sandisk told me that they are not suitable for such use ie, long-time recording. They agreed to replace mine under their lifetime warranty scheme but said that was a one-off for me.

[Togo]

That is the type I use BH. Never had an issue I must say. Even with the system running and a hot sunny day. Will watch out for it though.