Fix the error that the computer does not recognize the SD card

If ordinary users can be less concerned about the error that the computer does not recognize the SD card, memory card and how to fix it, photographers are especially interested.

With the design of today's computers or laptops, manufacturers are equipped with at least one SD card reader. However, during use, sometimes the computer does not recognize the SD card. Many users do not know the cause and how to handle this problem. So what exactly causes this phenomenon? What to do to fix the situation that the computer does not recognize the SD card? The following article may be of help to you.

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What is the SD card we need to minimize first? SD card or SD memory card English name is SD Card (Secure Digital Card). SD cards are used for data storage and transmission purposes. This line of cards can be used for electronic devices such as phones, tablets, PCs, laptops, etc.

Thanks to the SD card, you can store more documents photos, videos, … if compared to just using the internal memory. Not only that, but an SD card also simplifies the transfer of data from one device to another. For example, when replacing a new phone, you just need to transfer the memory card from the old device to the new phone, and all important data will be stored and transferred to the new phone.

The cause of the error that the computer does not recognize the SD card

Damaged memory card slot

There are many reasons why the computer does not recognize the memory card. The first case users should think about is that the computer's memory card slot has a problem.

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Memory card defective or damaged

Besides, most likely the problem of the computer not recognizing the SD card may not be caused by the computer but the memory card itself. At this point you need to check the memory card to make sure the card is still in good use.

Missing drivers

However, the main cause of the phenomenon that the computer does not recognize the memory card is because the computer does not have a driver. Some users often forget to install the driver for the machine after reinstalling the Windows operating system.

To confirm exactly if this problem is caused by a missing driver, you can apply the following check:

Step 1: Right-click the Computer icon and select Manager.

Step 2: Find the USB section in Device Manager. If you detect a yellow question mark or exclamation mark warning, you need to install the driver for the machine to read the memory card.

Fix the error that the computer does not recognize the SD card

Clean the memory card slot

From the first factor that can be thought of in case the computer does not recognize the SD card, you should remove the memory card and clean the card slot again. To clean the slot position, you should use a specialized brush, then plug it back in. Similarly, you also need to clean the card reader and the USB port connected between the reader and the computer.

Try plugging in another device, if you receive it, it's the device and vice versa

If your computer does not recognize the memory card, the memory card is most likely damaged. Therefore, you should insert the memory card into another device such as a phone or computer to check. Along with that, plug another memory card into your computer to check the cause. In case the memory card is damaged and there is no way to fix it, you must replace the new SD card.

In case of memory card, check the memory card reader such as USB or adapter

Also do not rule out the possibility that your memory card reader is having problems. In this case, you should try to check by replacing the memory card with another reader.
In addition, the computer does not recognize the SD card because the card lock has been removed. Now you need to check the side of the memory card to see if there is a lever or not and what state the lock is in. Slide the lock upwards to unlock the memory card.

Besides, if the memory card you use to plug in the computer is a phone memory card, you need to reformat the memory card by inserting it back into the phone. After that, do not forget to delete hidden files so that the computer can read them. However, you should be aware that reformatting the memory card may cause some or all of the data recorded on the card to be lost.

If it's the machine, update the memory card reader driver

In case you plug the memory card into the computer but the drive status in This PC shows 'No drive', now the problem is with your computer. Most likely your computer has too little virtual memory resulting in the computer not recognizing the SD card. The way to handle this problem is not too complicated, you just need to close all programs and try the memory card again. If the retry process still fails, you need to update the memory card reader driver again.

Reinstall the memory card reader driver for the computer

Step 1: First, left-click the My Computer icon (on Win7) or This PC (on Win 10), then select Device Manager Manager to start accessing the device manager bag.
Step 2: At the drive, right-click the USB, select Uninstall and press OK to delete.
Step 3: The last step, what to do is to unmount the SD card and restart your computer. Finally, insert the SD card into the slot for the computer to recognize and download the appropriate memory card reader driver.

Fix the error that the memory card file cannot be read

If the computer still recognizes the memory card but cannot read the file, it is likely that the memory card has been infected with a virus or the card has been improperly removed many times. Did you know this phenomenon is because people often plug USB in public computer rooms such as schools, offices, photocopiers or Internet shops. but carefreely care about the possibility of the drive being infected by a virus when Plug the card reader back into your computer.

What to do now is not to panic or immediately reformat the USB drive. The reason is because reformatting the USB drive can cause all data to be lost or make data recovery difficult.

To perform data recovery, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Go to My Computer (Win 7) or This PC (Win 10)

Step 2: Find a USB drive or memory card to recover files hidden by viruses

Step 3: Click on 'Show Hidden Files' and wait. This process will take a few minutes to restore data.

Step 4: After all important data has been restored, you need to delete the shortcut created by the virus using the memory card as usual.

Thus understanding the correct cause of the computer not recognizing the SD card will help you handle this problem easier. Let's look at each possibility in turn to fix it yourself. In case you do not handle this problem yourself, take the computer to a computer service center to quickly fix it.

Micah Soto

Update 15 February 2022