What to do if my SD Card Won’t Read

Technology can be a bit tricky, while it makes life easier, it can also make it much more difficult. As we rely more and more on technology, we tend to put a lot more trust in it since they make daily tasks easier. However, there are occasions when technology breaks down on us. If you use SD cards on a normal basis then you probably know exactly what we mean. While SD cards make it easy for us to store data and transfer it, there are times it just stops working for one reason or another. If that happens to you then we have some tips for you.

Identify the problem

If your computer refuses to detect the SD card then you first need to figure out where the problem is. Is it the reader on the computer or the SD card itself. The best way to figure out if it is the SD card is to insert the card back into the device you normally use it on be it a phone, digital camera, etc. If the device reads the card then that means the card is fine and there is something wrong with the reader on your computer. If it doesn’t, then there is something wrong with the card.

It’s a fairly easy fix if the reader on the computer is not working. All you have to do is purchase an external reader and hook it up to your computer with the help of a USB. The card should work then.

What if the card doesn’t work?

There are a few steps you can try if the card isn’t working properly. First, you want to start off with the basic checks. Make sure the card is slotted in properly, push it in until you can’t anymore. Sometimes people make the mistake of not pushing it enough so the reader can get a read on the sensor on the card.

If the problem still persists, then you want to check the write protection lock on the card. Most cards now come with a write protection option, once enabled, it doesn’t allow anyone to write on it.

The final thing you can do is format the card altogether. Phones and computer require an SD card to be in a particular format so they can read it. If it isn’t formatted properly then the device would not be able to read it. You want to format the card in a compatible format for your computer and the device you normally use the card on, so it is readable on both. Note that, when you format your card all data will be lost on it. So this is the final step you should take.

If you have tried all the above solution and your card still refuses to work then it is recommended you look for a replacement. SD card after excessive use can become non-functional especially if they have been treated badly. So it is important you take proper care of the SD card, keep it away from humid and hot places and make sure not to get any scratches on the sensors. This will ensure you don’t have any problems with the SD card.