Reasons why SD Card is not showing upPossible reasons why your Android or PC can’t read SD cardRepair Micro SD Not Detected on Windows or Android1 Method. Try connecting memory card to a different computer2 Method. Check if the memory card and reader are clean3 Method. Insert card in the original device again4 Method. Run CHKDSK command to make the memory card detectable5 Method. Turn Write Protection Lock OFF6 Method. Use Windows Troubleshooter to fix SD Card not detected issue7 Method. Change the Drive Letter for the Unrecognized SD card8 Method. Check if SD card drivers are up-to-date9 Method. Format SD Card (erases all data)
SD card (Secure Digital) is a proprietary non-volatile memory card type, which is one of the most popular external memory devices nowadays. It is used in cameras, mobile phones (typically Micro SD cards), devices like Nintendo Switch and others. However, users of SanDisk, Lexar or Transcend often run into certain card reading problems, including such: If you have encountered one of the listed problems, it is likely that one of the listed reasons below is causing it.
Possible reasons why your Android or PC can’t read SD card
These are the possible causes for the card now showing up. It is more than easy to apply methods provided below and fix Sandisk Micro SD not detected error. Please try one method after another until you find the one that works for you. Remember that none of them will erase the data from the card, except the formatting. Use it as a last resort only. Most of the methods explain how to fix your card using PC so that it could work on your Windows PC or Android phone again. So, no matter whether you’re looking how to repair memory card not detected in mobile or Windows, continue reading below. If you have another tip how to fix SD card not detected/recognized/working, please share it with us below.
1 Method. Try connecting memory card to a different computer
One of the suggested methods to fix SD card not showing is to connect it to a different PC/card reader. This can help you to figure out whether the issue lies on the card itself, or the reader or PC that you’re using. If your SD card is detected on a different computer, then it means there is a problem with your computer’s USB port or card reader. Another cause might be outdated drivers. If so, use the methods listed below.
2 Method. Check if the memory card and reader are clean
One of the most common reasons why your SD card is not reading is because its contacts are not clean (for example, covered with tiny dust build-up). We suggest trying to blow away or wipe any dirt from your card contacts, as well as from the reader. Try inserting your card into the reader again and see if this fixed the issue.
3 Method. Insert card in the original device again
If your PC won’t read your SD card after inserting it, it is possible that you have removed it from the original device incorrectly. For example, if you have removed it from your camera while it was on or during a playback, it is possible that it won’t be read by the computer correctly. We have encountered such situation and the following steps fixed the issue and made the card readable again.
4 Method. Run CHKDSK command to make the memory card detectable
CHKDSK is a Windows command that allows checking the integrity of hard disk and fix a wide range of file system errors. You must know your card’s usual drive letter to apply this fix. Check if your SD card is detectable now. If not, proceed to the next method.
5 Method. Turn Write Protection Lock OFF
SD cards (including Micro SD) have a little switch on their side. It is meant to control Write Protection on your card. Before inserting your card into your Windows computer or Android phone, assure that the switch is slided to Unlock position.
6 Method. Use Windows Troubleshooter to fix SD Card not detected issue
Windows Troubleshooter is one of the easiest tools that can help you fix SD card not showing or reading issue. To access it, follow the given steps.
7 Method. Change the Drive Letter for the Unrecognized SD card
In case you cannot see your card in My PC, you should check whether the card drive letter is present. In case it is missing or simply disappeared, you can fix it using these simple steps. All that you’ll need to do to fix SD card not reading is to assign a new drive letter to it. If your card is not showing in Disk Management, it means your PC can’t recognize it at all.
8 Method. Check if SD card drivers are up-to-date
This method is intended to check whether your memory technology devices’ drivers are up-to-date. If they’re outdated, then they’re causing the SD card not detected Windows 10 issue for you. To check whether this is the cause of your problem, do the following:
9 Method. Format SD Card (erases all data)
This is the last method that can make SD card detectable and readable again, unfortunately, formatting means erasing all the data on it and resetting it to factory settings. Now your SD card should be detectable and readable, but it won’t have any data it previously contained. From now on, you’ll be able to use the card again. To avoid memory card corruption in the future, please remember to always remove devices from your computer safely.
