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If your SD card is not recognised or displayed by your PC, this can have several causes. However, the problem is usually solved after just a few clicks.
Windows PC: SD card is not recognised
Either of the following approaches can solve the problem. Just follow the steps in the order given.
- Manual start: Open the Explorer by pressing the [Windows] + [E] keys, for example, and go to “This PC” on the left. Here, double-click on all removable media 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 microfibre cloth. If necessary, a slightly damp finger and a T-shirt will also do the trick.
- SD slot: Also clean the SD slot where you insert the SD card. All you can do here is blow into it vigorously a couple of times to remove dust.
- Change the PC: Since it is not certain whether the SD card or the computer is causing the error, you should plug the card into another PC. If the SD card is recognised 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 on the “Format” button. However, all data on the card will be lost when you do this.
- If your SD card is defective, you can find high-quality models for a wide range of applications on Amazon.
SD or SDHC: an important difference
SD card is not just like SD card. Contrary to what many may think, there are differences in memory cards: the classic SD card only has a storage capacity of 2 MByte up to 2 GByte.
- From 4 GBytes, the SD card is called SDHC. These have storage capacities of up to 32 GBytes. After that come the SDXC cards, which can store 64 GBytes up to 2 TBytes.
- If you are using an older card reader, it may well be that this device does not support the newer SDHC format and therefore cannot recognise it.
- So also check what type of card is compatible with your device.
CheckSD card reader
Do not follow these instructions until you are sure that the problem is not with the SD card but with the PC. Before that, you can still try to connect the SD card to the PC via a camera.
- Press the [Windows] + [R] keys simultaneously so that the “Run” command opens.
- Enter “devmgmt.msc” here and confirm with “OK”. The device manager will then start.
- Search here in the list of installed hardware for the SD card reader.
- Right-click to update the “driver” or uninstall it completely 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 the appropriate driver and install it.
How can I activate the SD card?
If you are using your SD card on a mobile device, the card may need to be activated first.
- On Android, for example, you will usually receive a notification after inserting the card. After that, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the screen.
- If no notification appears, switch your phone completely off and on again.
- Viewing the SD card is not quite as intuitive on Android as it is on Windows. Depending on the smartphone, there is usually already an app installed by the manufacturer that allows access. Alternatively, you can install additional apps such as the free File Explorer.
