The smartphone does not see the SD card. The computer and phone do not see the micro sd. What to do if your smartphone or tablet does not see the SD card. What to do if MicroSD is not detected
I received a request on the topic “MicroSD memory card is not detected.” The full text of the request is below in the screenshot.
As you already understood, the client was interested in the possibility of repair damaged card memory. After carefully reviewing the sent pictures with damaged memory cards, I came to the conclusion that there are chances to recover data from a damaged microSD, and they are quite good.
As for the possibility of repair, it’s the other way around. In the case where there is physical damage, then there can be no talk of repairs. And it’s not even about this particular case, but about the situation as a whole. Production technology microSD cards does not imply options for repair, although there are exceptions, but this is the exception to the rule. You can find out about repairing flash drives in my blog blog..
Memo:All -micro and -mini SD are monolithic flash drives, with all that it implies. You can read more about data recovery from monoliths in this publication.
Important:If there is important data on the card, but the microSD (microSD) does not work, then you should think about the need for repair. Repair can destroy all data, without the possibility of further recovery of information.
What to do if MicroSD is not detected
The fact is that almost all memory cards, for the most part, cannot be repaired, but there are some nuances. So, for example, I have had cases when clients brought me such memory cards with, well, “childish” problems. Below I will give a couple of examples.
Case No. 1
A client calls, saying that I had an SD card in the camera, but one day it was no longer detected in the device, and there were “mega-important photos” lying there. The first thing I thought was that there was a problem with the card controller, but everything turned out to be banal and simple.
Solution. It turned out that the client did not have an SD card at all, but a microSD inserted into an SD adapter (photo example below). After removing the microSD from the adapter and connecting via a card reader, I was able to access the contents of the disk in normal mode (without any “unknown” manipulations) and copied the data to the client’s flash drive. I was even embarrassed to take money for this. Such cases happen.
The thing is that SD adapters are a very unreliable “device” and should not be trusted. The strangest thing for me is that even some professional photographers use such a crutch technique, which I still cannot understand.
Case No. 2
The contacts have oxidized. There are also cases when oxides appear “commonly” on the card connector. In such cases, microSD is not detected by the phone or any other device it is connected to.
Solution. The solution here is, well, very simple, and for this we need an ordinary stationery eraser and a cotton swab with technical alcohol. In general, you can do without alcohol, but how can we do without such a “device”. To eliminate oxidative processes, you need to take an eraser and carefully (without using rough physical strength, but without gentle rubbing) go over the contacts with an elastic band until they become shiny as in the photo below. After you are sure that the connector contacts are well cleaned, you need to apply a little alcohol to the ear stick and clean the contacts and wait until the alcohol dries.
At this point, perhaps, the article about what to do if MicroSD memory cards are not detected can be considered closed. I wish you all a good mood and life without breakdowns that could not be fixed.
If you have any questions about this topic, write in the comments under the article.
More information about data recovery from memory cards can be found in the "Data Recovery" section.
Did you like our article and find it useful? - share with your friends.
Why doesn't my phone see the memory card? First, you should decide on the type of problem and try to solve it yourself. Although for many people in this case it is easier to contact a workshop so as not to waste their time.
We are talking about a small device for digital equipment that allows you to increase its memory. Such a device can be: a mobile phone, a computer, a tablet, a digital camera, etc. Modern technology has a fairly large built-in memory, but only for basic tasks. Some people like to watch movies on their phones, others need music on their phones. If the phone does not see the flash drive, what to do in this case and how to fix this problem?
There are 3 main types:
MicroSD (11 x 15 mm). It is the most popular and widespread type. Micro SDs are used mainly in mobile phones, but can also be used in other technical devices using a special adapter. Due to the versatility of MicroSD memory, they are the most preferred.
MiniSD (21.5 x 20 mm). It is an outdated type due to the greater popularity of other formats; it is used in portable equipment.
SD (32 x 24 mm). Used in those techniques where it is fundamentally important fast speed data exchange and large volume of information storage. This includes a camera, video camera and similar equipment.
They all come in different storage capacities, but SD is divided into 4 generations:
SD 1 (8 MB-2 GB).
SD 1.1 (up to 4 GB).
SDHC (up to 32 GB).
SDXC (up to 2 TB).
There are many storage devices and adapters for them. Through the adapter you can see a flash drive that was previously unreadable. It may also look like a USB flash drive.
Therefore, if the DVR does not see the memory card, then the problem may be its type, so you just need to replace it. After all, DVRs require storage media with high data exchange rates.
Phone: solutions
If the phone does not see the memory card, what should I do in this case?
This means that the selected flash drive does not fit the phone model. If the phone does not see the drive, although it is inserted, this does not mean that it fits and should open. The fact is that each manufacturer of cellular devices and flash cards has its own characteristics. Most often, the instructions contain a list of SD cards that are suitable for the device. The incompatibility criterion may be size, data transfer speed, drive version, etc. If the smartphone does not see the memory card, then the problem may simply be their incompatibility.
You need to purchase a card that your cell phone supports, but if you have important data on the media, you can use other data transfer devices, such as adapters and card readers.
What to do if there is no contact with the drive? Nothing is exactly the same; there are minimal errors everywhere, including production. This can happen over time. How to make the map visible? If the phone stops seeing the memory card for no apparent reason, then you just need to remove and reinsert the drive. In this case, it is important that the device is turned off, otherwise the data on the media may be damaged.
The card has a damaged sector. In this case, you should check the card on your computer for errors using the adapter. If it doesn't help, then format it. These actions are acceptable provided that the flash drive is visible to the computer.
Blocking on the card itself. Sometimes it may not open on the computer even because of such a small thing. Using programs, you can remove the lock, but in some cases it can be removed manually on the storage medium itself.
System glitch, crash or freeze. In this case, you need to restart the device.
If after all the manipulations the carrier stubbornly refuses to be detected and the phone does not read the memory card, you should take the drive to a technician. In this case, it is not worth solving the problem yourself. In addition, the damage may not be visible to the naked eye. It may also be that the flash drive does not appear after repair, so you should check all this on the spot.
Laptop: solutions
Why doesn't my laptop see the memory card? The computer can also be included in this issue - there are actually not many main reasons. As with mobile phones, some causes can be fixed on your own.
Same name for flash drive and other storage media. In this case, the flash card is not detected as a separate drive and crashes occur instead. If the memory card has the same letter in the name as the built-in logical drive on the computer, you should change the name of the flash drive. It can be done standard means through the disk control panel. How to get into it depends on the operating system.
There are no necessary drivers for reading. It happens that the computer is not equipped with the proper software. But this determines how efficiently the machine will serve. Here you need to download drivers from the Internet, disk or other storage medium.
The reason that the computer does not see the memory card may be physical damage to the computer, laptop or drive itself. Therefore, it is better to take it to a specialized center or to a specialist.
One possible reason is viruses. Here you need to install an antivirus and carry out a full diagnostic, followed by cleaning the system. It is not recommended to install several antiviruses, as this will put a load on the system.
Card reader: solutions
Why doesn't the card reader see the memory card? A card reader is a device for writing, reading and formatting flash cards. The card reader may not work normally for some reasons: it is either physical damage or incompatibility with the flash drive.
The device can be external or built-in. The names speak for themselves and possible reasons why the device does not see the SD card, they have the same. It is worth emphasizing that the card reader ignores the card in case of errors that may occur when formatting it on a computer. If he doesn’t see the camera’s memory card, then it may simply be a matter of model incompatibility.
Camera: solutions
Why doesn't the camera see the memory card? What is the problem?
Locked flash card. There is a small visible lever on the side of the drive that you just need to slide.
A very common reason why a flash drive is not readable is that the amount of information on the card is incompatible for a given camera model. The only thing that will help here is to change the card itself to a different type.
Banal physical damage. What to do if the problem is with the camera? It is best to take it to a diagnostic center. If the problem is in the flash drive, then it is wiser to simply change the card.
Tablet: solutions
Why doesn't the tablet see the memory card? All the above reasons also apply to the tablet (freezing, bad contacts, breakdown, incorrect formatting, etc.). The methods for solving them remain the same.
Conclusion
Above we discussed all the main reasons why a flash drive does not function, and ways to solve these problems. PSP was not considered here, since PSPs are not so popular and have similar problems to the computer. In addition to the methods described above, it is worth mentioning that flash drives can be recovered using various programs. If the computer makes a sound detecting a flash drive, but the memory card is not visible, then the HDD Low Level Format Tool can help in this case.
It is also worth considering that if a drive is readable on one system, it is impossible to say for sure whether it will be viewed on another. If something doesn't work for unknown reasons, don't be upset. Sometimes you just need to be more careful with your equipment and accessories. Then she will not stop working. Many problems can also be avoided by reading the operating instructions in advance.
Many new models of Android smartphones and tablets have a small amount of built-in memory, and the main storage medium in them is an SD card. There are often cases when the Android device does not see the memory card. This can happen for various reasons. And in such a situation, the user is completely deprived of the ability to interact with files.
If you encounter such a problem, do not immediately run to the store and spend money on a new memory card. It is possible that the problem can be easily solved. In this guide, we will explain why Android often does not see the card, and consider several ways to solve this problem.
The memory card may no longer be recognized in the device for one of several reasons.
System failure
The first step is to try a simple reboot of the device. It is possible that there was a failure in Android work and the flash drive is not detected correctly.
In most cases, after performing a reboot, most of the minor glitches in the system are eliminated. If rebooting does not help, then it is not a system error.
There may be a problem with the contacts of the memory card or slot. Often the contacts become clogged or get wet.
Try removing the memory card, cleaning it from dust and inserting it back. If after these actions there are no changes in its operation, you need to establish that the reason is in it, and not in the contacts of the device. To do this, you can insert the memory card into another device. If it is not detected on other devices, then the problem is definitely not in the contacts of the device, but in the card.
Formatting error
What to do if Android does not see the microSD memory card? It may be that the error is due to unsuccessful formatting. To fix the problem, the flash card must be reformatted on the computer.
To do this you need:
Important! If the PC displays the contents of the drive, this does not provide an absolute guarantee that there are no problems with it. Therefore, formatting must be performed in any case, having first made a copy of the files on the PC.
Damage to device contacts
If, as a result of the check, it turns out that the problem is in the contacts of the device, you can try to carefully clean them using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. At the same time, it is strictly not recommended to use various solvents for this purpose, since their use can further aggravate the situation.
If cleaning does not help, it is likely that the contacts in the slot have come loose. In this case, you will need the help of specialists.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, no one is immune from memory card failure or device malfunctions. If the problem cannot be solved on your own, you may have to take your device to a service center (if it turns out that the problem is with the device) or shell out for a purchase new card memory.
Now almost every device on operating system Android supports memory cards (microSD). However, sometimes there are problems associated with its detection in the device. There may be several reasons for the occurrence of such a problem, and to solve them, certain manipulations are required. Next, we will look at methods to correct such an error.
Before you proceed with the instructions below, we recommend that you complete the following steps:
- Reboot your device. Perhaps the problem that has arisen is an isolated case, and the next time you start the device it will simply disappear and the flash drive will work correctly.
- Reconnect. Sometimes removable storage media is not displayed because the contacts have become loose or clogged. Pull it out and put it back in, then check if it is detected correctly.
- Maximum volume. Some mobile devices, especially older ones, only support memory cards of certain sizes. We advise you to read this specification on the manufacturer’s official website or in the instructions to make sure that an SD card with this amount of memory functions normally with your device.
- Check on other devices. It may well be that the flash drive is damaged or broken. Insert it into another smartphone or tablet, laptop or computer to make sure it works. If it is not readable on any equipment, it should be replaced with a new one.
In addition to such detection problems, an error appears notifying that the flash drive has been damaged. For a detailed guide on how to fix it, read our material at the link below.
If the previous tips did not bring any results and the storage medium is still not detected by your smartphone or tablet, pay attention to the methods below. We have arranged them in order of difficulty so that you can implement each one in order without much effort.
Method 1: Clear cache data
Temporary data accumulates on the device every day. They not only take up physical space in memory, but can also cause various malfunctions in the operation of the device. First of all, we recommend erasing the cache through the menu "Recovery". In it you should select the item "Wipe Cache Partition", wait for the procedure to complete and reboot the phone.
You will find detailed instructions on how to switch to Recovery mode in the Android operating system and how else you can delete the cache in the following articles.
Method 2: Check for memory card errors
As part of this method, follow a number of simple steps:
If scanning for errors does not help, then more drastic measures need to be taken.
Method 3: Format the media
To perform this method, you will also need to connect the SD card to your computer or laptop using adapters or adapters.
Please note that performing this procedure will erase all information from the removable storage device, so before you begin, we advise you to save important data in any other convenient location.
If you have any difficulties with formatting, we recommend that you read our other article at the link below. There you will find seven ways to solve this problem, and you can easily fix it.
Most often, deleting data from the card helps in cases where it is no longer detectable after connecting to other equipment. You just need to follow the instructions above, then immediately insert the media into your smartphone or tablet and check its functionality.
Method 4: Create a blank volume
Sometimes, due to the fact that the card has a hidden section, its memory is not enough to save information from the smartphone. Among other things, detection problems arise in this case. To fix them, you need to connect the card to your PC and follow these steps:
- Via menu "Start" go to "Control Panel".
- Select a category here "Administration".
- Among the list of all components, find and double-click on "Computer Management".
- In the window that opens, you should select "Disk Management".
- Here, check the disk number that is your flash drive, and also pay attention to the total memory capacity. Write down or remember this information as it will be useful later.
- Key combination Win+R run the snap "Run". Enter cmd in the line and click on "OK".
- In the window that opens, enter the command diskpart and click Enter.
- Grant permission to run the utility.
- Now you have moved to the program for working with disk partitions. She has identical "Command line" view. Here you need to type list disk and click on again Enter.
- Check out the list of disks, find your flash drive there, then enter select disk 1 , where 1 – disk number of the required media.
- All that remains is to clear all data and partitions. This procedure is performed using the clean command.
- Wait for the process to complete and you can close the window.
Now we have ensured that the SD card is completely clean: all information, open and hidden sections have been deleted from it. For normal operation, a new volume must be created on the phone. This is done like this:
- Repeat the first four steps from the previous instructions to return to the disk management menu again.
- Select the required removable storage device, click on the mark with its memory right click mouse and select "Create new volume".
- The Create Simple Volume Wizard will open in front of you. To start working with it, click on "Further".
- There is no need to specify the volume size; let it occupy all the free space, so the flash drive will work better with a mobile device. So just move on to the next step.
- Assign any free letter to the volume and click "Further".
- Formatting should be performed if the default format is not FAT32. Then select this file system, leave the cluster size "Default" and move on.
- Upon completion of the procedure, information about the selected parameters will be displayed in front of you. Check them out and complete your work.
- Now on the menu "Disk Management" you see a new volume that takes up all the logical space on the memory card. This means the process was completed successfully.
All that remains is to remove the flash drive from the PC or laptop and insert it into the mobile device.
What to do if Android does not see the microSD flash drive? This question often worries owners of smartphones and other gadgets, regardless of manufacturer and cost. Problems of obtaining data from a DVR or installing software on a tablet or smartphone can be solved independently if you know the main causes of the malfunction and how to solve them.
How the problem manifests itself
The malfunction manifests itself as follows: after replacing the micro-SD card, after rebooting, flashing or simply turning on the device, the gadget does not see the flash drive or its contents. As a result, data or installed software is lost, the camera and programs begin to write information to internal memory devices. The latter quickly becomes clogged, there is no space left for recording OS service information, and the gadget loses performance and begins to freeze.
As a result, if the internal memory is small, it becomes impossible to work without a memory card.
To fix the problem, you need to determine the cause of the breakdown. Very often it is possible to eliminate a defect yourself, without going to a workshop.
The phone does not see the flash drive due to formatting problems
The partition table can become corrupted on any file system (NTFS, ExFat, Fat32). As a result, Android cannot read files written to SD. Most often this happens when the user tries to format the memory card himself and performs incorrect actions. Another option is to insert a card with a different file system, for example, from a camera. You can restore the card's functionality by formatting it again. This can be done either with the phone itself or another Android device, or using a computer with a card reader.
The menu of some phones allows you to format the SD card by selecting the appropriate item in the settings. If it is not there, you can reboot the phone, enter “Recovery” mode and format the file system of the card by selecting “Wipe cache partition”.
Important: errors when working with the device in “Recovery” mode can lead to the loss of all data and even inoperability of the OS. Therefore, inexperienced users should not use this method.
It is easier and safer to format flash drives on a computer. To do this, you need a card reader and a formatting program (standard, built into the OS, or any other). You need to remove the flash drive from the device, insert it into the card reader and format it in exFAT or FAT32 format. After formatting, Android should begin to “see” the flash drive. If this does not happen, the problem is more serious.
The memory card has failed
Flash memory has a limited number of read-write cycles. In addition, the device may be damaged due to microcracks on the board or under the influence of static voltage. In this case, after installation in the card reader, the computer does not detect the flash drive. It is also not readable on other devices.
It is impossible to restore a damaged memory card or the data on it. This cannot be done either from the Android device itself, or by connecting it to the computer as a flash drive via USB, or from the computer via a card reader. All that remains is to purchase a new flash card compatible with your device.
Important: sometimes, due to a board malfunction, phones and tablets can “burn” memory cards. Therefore, if a short time after replacing the flash drive it fails again, it is necessary to diagnose the Android device.
Memory card and Android devices are not compatible
A smartphone or tablet may not see the flash card if it is simply not designed to work with modern storage media. When there is a suspicion that the card does not correspond to a tablet or phone, then you should try to read it on a computer with an adapter for memory cards. If the gadget does not see the card, but the computer does, the reason is incompatibility.
All gadgets have restrictions on the maximum size of the memory card: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB. This happens if, for example, you bought a 64 GB card, but the limits of your smartphone (tablet) are 32 GB.
Another option is that the flash drive is made to a technical specification that is unknown to your device. In this case, the gadget does not recognize it. Therefore, before buying a memory card, you need to study the documentation of your tablet or phone to buy an SD card of the appropriate size and type.
In addition to incompatibility, device damage or software failure may occur. In this case, the computer will also see the flash card, but the phone (tablet) will not.
Software error
In this case, the gadget either does not see the memory card at all, or certain programs do not see it. If you know, the card is empty, although it shows that the space is occupied, the problem is in the settings or performance of the OS and software of the phone (tablet). If Android does not see the SD card in applications, but does see it in recovery, try looking at the settings first. It is possible that the save path for applications is not set to the card, but to the internal memory. Fix it.
Another solution when only one application does not see the card is to reinstall or update it, and also check its own settings.
Important: often the phone OS begins to see the inserted card only after a reboot. If the flash card is not visible without rebooting, and then works fine, nothing more should be done.
When the above does not help, you should try updating the firmware of your tablet (phone). Often after updating the OS to more new version the device starts working correctly with the SD card.
Broken SD card slot
If a smartphone does not see a flash drive installed from another smartphone, and it meets the technical requirements of the device, the problem is in the smartphone itself. In this case, you can try to insert the card so that the contacts in the phone fit tightly to its tracks. To do this, you should try to clean and bend them a little. If the problem is not with the contacts, but with damage to the controller or card slot, all that remains is to send the gadget for repair or replace it with a new one.
For example, the HTC srochnyi-remont.ru workshop repairs all models of this manufacturer, as well as other brands. Look for a service center for your phone in your city.
