SD card is not recognized: How to solve the problem
Related Videos: Solve SD Card Memory Problems Android Wipe Cache MTK Phones (April 2024).
If your SD card is not recognized or displayed by Windows, there can be several reasons. We'll show you how to solve the problem.
Windows: SD card is not recognized
Any of the following approaches can solve the problem. Just follow the steps in the order given.
- Manual start: Open the workstation, for example by pressing the [Windows] + [E] keys. Double-click all removable media here to open them. With luck, only the automatic start is deactivated.
- SD card: Remove the SD card from your computer and clean the contacts. This works best with a microfiber cloth. If necessary, a slightly damp finger and a T-shirt do the trick.
- SD slot: Additionally clean the SD slot into which you insert the SD card. Here you can only blow in a couple of times to remove dust.
- Change PC: Since it is not certain whether the SD card or the computer is causing the error, you should insert the card into another PC. If the SD card is recognized there, follow the instructions in the next paragraph.
- Formatting: If Windows indicates that the SD card must be formatted before you can use it, there is no way around it. Then click the "Format" button. However, all data on the card will be lost.
Check SD card reader
Do not carry out these instructions until you are sure that the problem is not on the SD card, but on the PC. Before that, you can still try to connect the SD card to the PC using a camera.
- Simultaneously press the [Windows] + [R] keys so that the "Execute" command opens.
- Enter "devmgmt.msc" here and confirm with "OK". Then the device manager starts.
- Look here for the SD card reader in the list of installed hardware.
- With a right click you can "Update Driver" or completely uninstall it and then reinstall it.
- Note: If you do not find the driver in the list, this does not automatically mean that it is not installed. However, in this case you should search for and install the appropriate driver.
How can I activate the SD card?
If you use your SD card on a mobile device, the card may need to be activated first. With Android, for example, you usually receive a notification after inserting it; after that, all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions.
How can I unlock a memory card?
Some SD cards have a physical switch that can be used to lock the card for writing: depending on the position of the switch, you can either only read from the card or read and write.
How do I format an SD card?
The easiest way is to connect the SD card to your computer using an appropriate reader. In Windows you can then right-click on the drive symbol of the SD card and select "Format".
Can I repair SD cards?
If an SD card stops working, formatting the disk can help. However, all data will be lost. If the card has been physically damaged, this unfortunately does not help. We recommend the way to a specialist who can possibly save the data or repair the card.