Why does the computer not see the memory card? We fix the problem. Android does not see a flash drive (memory card) microSD

SD cards will remain a popular storage format for a long time to come. The standard has become very firmly established in the photo and video equipment market, and therefore the need for card readers has been, is and will continue to be. From time to time, users encounter a problem with SD cards (or card readers) in Windows 10 computers. The card is inserted into the appropriate port, but the computer cannot recognize it and the SD card is not displayed in Explorer. This is a very common and rather annoying problem, which, fortunately, is quite easy to fix in the vast majority of cases. In this article, you will find some tips to help you if the computer does not see the memory card.

Although in this manual we are mainly talking about SD cards (the larger ones), the instructions are also relevant for microSD cards. Modern computers (Surface tablets, for example) are often equipped with microSD slots lately. The tips described in the article are also relevant for these devices.

Computer or laptop does not see the memory card - what to do

First you need to make sure that the card is working. To do this, insert it into another device with a slot for SD (or microSD using an adapter) cards. It can be a camera, camcorder, second computer, tablet, smartphone or any other device equipped with the appropriate slot. If the memory card is not recognized in this device or works intermittently, then it is either damaged or needs to be cleaned connectors.

Take a cotton pad, "ear swab" or piece of cotton wool, lightly soak it in alcohol or an appropriate cleaning agent (ordinary water will work in theory, but either a special cleaner or plain alcohol will do the job best) then lightly go over the metal contacts on back side of the memory card. Important: do not pour liquid on the card (you only risk killing it) or insert it wet into the port. Make sure the contacts are dry and clean, then try to connect the memory card to your computer again.

Check this area for dirt on the memory card or adapter you are using.

If after this procedure the memory card works in other devices, but does not work in the computer, then it makes sense to also clean the slot itself. Perhaps there is too much dust in it, which prevents the computer from reading information normally. You can clean the memory card slot in a computer or laptop using compressed air.

Advice: do not blow into the slot. Your mouth will not be able to provide enough air and pressure to properly clean the slot from debris. This method of cleaning can do more harm than good, since you run the risk of banally spitting on a slot in your computer. It is better to buy compressed air at the nearest computer hardware store. Fortunately, it is not expensive, and at the same time, high pressure and a long nozzle will allow you to effectively clean a deep port for a memory card without risking spitting it with your saliva.

Another tip: Make sure you insert the card in the correct direction. The computer should show which side to insert the card. Some slots use a snap mechanism to lock the card into the slot. In such a computer, you will not be able to install the card with the wrong side, because it will not lock into place. Other computers may not have this mechanism, so make sure the memory card is inserted correctly. Do not use force when inserting or removing a card, as you risk breaking the slot, card, or locking mechanisms.

Let's say the memory card works, you insert it in the right direction, the slot in your computer is clean, but the PC still does not see the SD card. In this case, there are a few more tips that should help.

Check if the memory card is detected in the disk management interface. If no drive letter is assigned to the memory card, the drive will not show up in Explorer, even though both the slot and the memory card are physically functional.

Check if the memory card slot is enabled in your computer's BIOS settings. Sometimes it happens that the card reader on the PC motherboard is simply disabled for some unknown reason. You can check this by simply diving into the BIOS settings. Reboot your computer and press F2 / Delete (or another button chosen by your manufacturer) during startup to get into the BIOS. Each computer has its own BIOS (UEFI), which differs depending on the manufacturer or model of the motherboard, so we cannot publish all the options here. You need to find the section with ports and devices ( Onboard Devices / Miscellaneous Devices and so on) and then look for something like “ Media Card Reader”, “SD Reader”, “Enable ExpressCard" etc. Make sure it is enabled, then save the settings, restart your computer and try connecting the memory card again.

A checkbox that is responsible for activating the built-in SD card slot in the BIOS of Dell computers. If there is no checkbox, the port will not work.

In the case of desktop computers, it is also possible that the SD card slot on the front of the case is not connected to the computer's motherboard. Here you will already have to open your case (before that, completely disconnect the computer from the power outlet) and see if the wire from the front of the case is connected to the motherboard. The wire with the 9-pin connector must be connected to the corresponding comb on the motherboard.

Sometimes the source of the problem can be an adapter that does not work as expected. This is the case if you are using an SD adapter for microSD cards or cards of another format paired with an adapter. Of course, an extra adapter is not always at hand, but this option is also worth considering if you can’t get your computer to work with a memory card. Fortunately, adapters cost mere pennies and it will not be difficult to find them.

You can refer to the diagnostics and troubleshooting methods built into the system. Perhaps Windows itself will be able to find the cause and successfully eliminate it.

The next option is to turn off and on the card reader. Perhaps a banal bug in the operating system or controller caused the card reader to fail.

If a kind of reboot of the adapter did not help, you can try to reinstall or update the card reader driver. Go to your manufacturer's website and check if there is a newer version of the driver. If there is, download and install it. You can first uninstall the old version of the driver in the Device Manager.

It should be understood that none of these methods will help if your computer slot is damaged or broken. If the memory card works in other devices, but is not detected in your computer in any way even after all these dances with a tambourine, then you need to contact a specialist who will check the physical health of the port, repair or replace it. To extract information from the card, insert it into another device (the same camera), and then connect it via USB cable to your computer, or transfer the data you need from another PC.

We hope these tips will help you fix the problem and you won't have to go to a service center, repair your computer or change your memory card.

In some cases, the phone does not see the microSD, but not all users know why this happens and how to fix the problem

Moreover, this problem is serious, since it does not allow access to all the information stored on the flash drive.

For users whose phone is a player, a device for Internet surfing, such a problem can be a serious problem.

The essence of the problem

How does this problem manifest itself? How to understand that the phone really does not see the device? This is quite simple and becomes clear immediately after installing a memory card.

The device does not reflect that it was installed. At the same time, there is no memory card icon on the panel on the home screen, nor is removable media displayed in the Memory section in Settings.

Accordingly, in all directories of the phone (for example, Music, Gallery) there are no corresponding files, before .

Sometimes, after installing external media into the phone, the device does not immediately display a message about its installation, as it usually does.

Sometimes, while working with microSD, it may suddenly turn off, and a message will appear on the screen like "Memory card disabled".

In the most rare cases, the device reports damage to the memory card.

A problem can occur both on a new device and on an old one. And also with both the old memory card and the new, empty media. Regardless, the causes are often the same for all cases.

Possible reasons

There are several reasons for this phenomenon. Conventionally, they can be divided into two large groups: problems with the phone and problems with the drive itself. The first group includes:

1. Direct damage to the memory card slot;
2. Other hardware problems in the device;
3. Problems with the functioning of the software, due to which the device does not see.

From the side of the memory card itself, there may be the following problems:

1. Device failure (especially when a previously working card suddenly ceases to be recognized or the device reports its malfunction, which is typical for old memory cards with great wear);
2. Physical damage to contacts on the card or other problems;
3. File system mismatch (some newer file systems don't "see" old phones, then it shows that the drive is missing).

Depending on the cause of the malfunction, certain methods of its elimination can be selected.

<Рис. 2 Слот>

elimination

There are several ways to deal with such problems. They are selected depending on the cause that caused the malfunction.

If this reason is not clear, then you will have to try several methods.

Working with hardware

<Рис. 3 Контакты карты памяти>

First of all, you need to check what exactly the problem is. Install another memory card in the device, and if it is detected, then the problem is in the drive itself.

If not, then the problem is most likely in the phone.

What can the user do in this case? It is recommended to clean the card slot from dust, as well as wipe the contacts on the carrier itself. You can do this with a cotton swab.

Most likely, this does not solve the problem, but sometimes it helps. However, if it turns out that the card slot is broken, then the only way is to replace it.

Recovery

<Рис. 4 Восстановление>

Each has a Recovery mode. Its launch will allow you to “roll back” all questionable settings to factory settings.

Thus, if the device previously saw cards, but now it does not, then this method can help.

1. To get started, perform a normal reboot of the device (not turning it off and on, but just rebooting);
2. If this does not help, proceed to recovery;
3. Hold down the power and volume down buttons at the same time and hold for up to 10 seconds (most often, access to the recovery function is opened in this way);
4. As soon as the device restarts, a special start menu will open in Windows;
5. Go to the Wipe cache partition item in it (you need to do this with the buttons or by clicking on the screen, depending on the device);
6. Reboot the machine (rebooting may take much longer than usual).

The map should now be defined. If this does not happen, then you will have to work with it on a computer.

Formatting

<Рис. 5 Форматирование>

Insert a memory card into a computer using an adapter. Open it through the "My Computer" section in order to make sure that the device is working.

If the computer does not see the drive, then such a memory card is faulty.

1. Press Win + R and wait until the Run window opens;
2. In it, write the command diskmgmt.msc;
3. A window should now open showing all memory devices - external, internal, formatted, not formatted;
4. If the letter designating the card matches the letter of, for example, an optical drive, etc., then you need to rename the card;
5. In rare cases, renaming may solve the problem;
6. If the problem is not solved in this way, then you need to completely format the card and create a new file system (of course, it is worth remembering that the data from the media must be copied before this);
7. You can format the device from Explorer;
8. Click on the memory card with the right mouse button;
9. A menu will open in which you need to select the line Format;
10. A window will open in which you need to remove the marker from the box next to the inscription "Quick Format";
11. Specify below that you want to create a format file system (most often this option is set by default);
12. Click OK;
13. Wait until the end of the process.

Then install the memory card in your phone. It should be successfully recognized. If this still does not happen, then it is possible that there is still a specific hardware malfunction in it.

Restoration of work

<Рис. 6 Восстановление через ПК>

Restoring the operation of a MicroSD card is a specific case when a media that was successfully recognized earlier suddenly ceases to be recognized by the same device.

At the same time, there was no damage to the carrier or phone, no changes were made to the phone software, etc.

Also this method can help when the phone says that "Unable to access memory card", "The memory card is damaged, etc.".

This method is quite effective, but only for older cards. And only on condition that they worked properly before. For new cards, this method is useless.

1. Connect the memory card to a PC or laptop to make sure it is working;
2. Open Explorer and right-click on the map;
3. Select Properties from the drop down menu;
4. Go to the Service tab;
5. Run Check disk, having previously indicated the need for automatic correction of detected errors and malfunctions;
6. In the same section, you can Surface test with automatic recovery of bad sectors (although this is not necessary).

A more complex option is troubleshooting by working in the HKLM branch. This is done as follows:

1. Find the SYSTEM directory in the folder tree;
2. In it, open the StorageDevicePolicies section;
3. In the right part of the window, the parameters that need to be changed will appear;
4. Assign a zero value to the defining parameter (write the number zero in brackets in the combination 0x00000000(1)).

Now the card should interact normally with the phone.

File system

<Рис. 7 Файловая система>

There are microSD HC and microSD XC memory cards. The second option is typical for cards with a capacity of more than 32 GB.

They have a different file system, which has its own advantages (for example, recording speed and length of recording segments), but is not recognized by all phones, tablets and other devices.

Thus, some phones are simply not designed to support cards larger than 32 GB. Changing the file system in this case is almost impossible without special skills.

However, it is worth remembering that the type (HC or XC) of the card is written directly on it, so it is important to choose the right one.

WHAT TO DO IF THE ANDROID (PHONE) DOES NOT SEE THE MEMORY CARD?

The phone does not see the MicroSD flash drive: what to do, how to fix it?

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. The problems of obtaining data from the DVR, 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 the internal memory of the device. The latter quickly clogs up, there is no space left for recording service information of the OS, and the gadget loses performance and starts to freeze.

As a result, if the internal memory is low, it becomes impossible to work without a memory card.

To fix the problem, you need to establish the causes of the breakdown. Very often it turns out to eliminate the defect with one's own hands, without going to the workshop.

The phone does not see the flash drive due to formatting problems

The partition table can be damaged in 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 a card with a different file system is inserted, for example, from a camera. You can restore the card's performance by formatting it again. This can be done either by the phone itself or by another Android device, or by 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 the “Recovery” mode and format the file system of the card by selecting the “Wipe cache partition” item.

Important: errors when working with the device in the “Recovery” mode can lead to the loss of all data and even the inoperability of the OS. Therefore, inexperienced users should not adopt 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). It is necessary 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 start to “see” the flash drive. If this does not happen, the problem is more serious.

Memory card is out of order

Flash memory has a limited number of read-write cycles. In addition, the device may be damaged due to microcracks in the board or static electricity. In this case, after installation in the card reader, the computer does not detect the flash drive. It is also unreadable on other devices.

It is impossible to recover a damaged memory card or the data on it. This cannot be done either from the Android device itself, or by connecting it to a computer as a USB flash drive, or from a computer via a card reader. It remains only to purchase a new flash card that is compatible with your device.

Important: sometimes, due to a malfunction of the board, phones and tablets can “burn” memory cards. Therefore, if after 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 incompatible

A smartphone or tablet may not see a 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 it is worth trying to read it on a computer with a memory card adapter. If the gadget does not see the card, but the computer sees it, the reason is incompatibility.

All gadgets have limitations on the maximum memory card size: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB. This happens if, for example, you bought a 64 GB card, and the limitations of a smartphone (tablet) are 32 GB.

Another option is that the flash drive is made according to a technical specification 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 in order to buy an SD card of the appropriate size and type.

In addition to incompatibility, the device may be damaged or a 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 that the card is empty, although it shows that the place is occupied, the problem is in the settings or performance of the OS and software of the phone (tablet). If the android does not see the SD card in applications, but sees it in recovery, try looking at the settings first. Perhaps for applications, the save path is set not to the card, but to the internal memory. Fix it.

Another solution when only one application does not see the map is to reinstall or update it, and also check its own settings.

Important: often the phone's OS starts to see the inserted card only after a reboot. If the flash card is not visible without a reboot, and then it works fine, nothing else should be done.

When the above does not help, it is worth trying to update the tablet (phone) firmware. Often, after flashing the OS to a newer version, the device starts to work correctly with the SD card.

Damaged SD card slot

If the smartphone does not see a flash drive installed from another smartphone, while 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 snugly into its tracks. To do this, you should try to clean and bend them a little. If it's not about contacts, but about damage to the controller or card slot, it remains 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.

In the modern world, flash drives for PCs are quite popular, and in mobile devices - microSD memory cards. The popularity of devices is due to their low price, the ability to store large amounts of data, and at the same time easily transfer all this data to other devices.

But these devices also have drawbacks - this is a problem in formatting. Users of these storage media are at a loss because the SD card is not formatted. At the same time, the following questions are often asked: The memory card is not formatted, what should I do? And the SD card is damaged Android how to fix it? Let's answer these questions, and also find out what to do if the memory card is not formatted.

Flash drives are an indispensable part of the modern world, so it is important to know how to properly operate and maintain these devices so that you do not run into problems at the most inopportune moment.

If your SD card is not formatted, that is, there are problems in formatting the flash drive and you can’t complete this action in any way, then you need to either carry the device to a service center or throw it away. But there are also other ways to "rescue a flash drive." One of them is a way to format a flash drive through the console.

In the Windows system, there is one feature when deleting files - if the file itself is occupied by any processes, then it will not be possible to delete it. And through the console, we can destroy everything without any problems. So, here is what we do in the console if the micro SD card is not formatted:

1. Use the key combination Win+R
2. The Run window appears. We enter the command there - diskmgmt.msc.
3. Click "OK" and the "Disk Management" window will appear in front of us. We are looking for our flash drive, right-click on it and select "Format".

If everything went well for you and without errors, then you are well done. If it didn’t work out, then don’t close the article - we have a couple more ways.

If your microSD memory card is not formatted, then the SNDFormatter utility will help you. The program is free and easy to download on the Internet, and we will tell you how to use this utility.

1. We start the program.
2. In the "Drive" tab, select our flash drive.
3. In the "Format Type" tab, select "Full" or "Erase". "Format Size Adjustment" set to "On".
4. And click "Format".

If the program did not work, then try this one - Apacer USB 3.0 Repair tool. The utility is similar to SDFormatter, but it is supplemented with the following functions:

• low-level formatting;
• disable protection for flash drives.

You can download the program from the Internet.

1. We open the standard Windows utility "Command Prompt" through the key combination Win + X, or look for it in the start menu.
2. In a new window, write "diskpart"
3. In the next window that opens, write "list disk". In the window, we will be shown all the available data recording disks on the computer, including our flash drive. We find our flash drive (usually it is at the very bottom of the list).
4. We register the data in the "select disk 1" window. It is your flash drive that may have a different name, and not "disk 1".
5. Next, we clear the write protection attribute through the command - "attributes disk clear readonly". To check disk attributes, use the "attributes disk" command.
6. We exit the utility through the “Exit” command, and again try to format the flash drive.

If the above methods did not help you, then the following is just for you.

Download the program "Flashnul". The utility is designed for testing and deep work with removable drives on your computer. Therefore, use it carefully and try not to “click” anything extra. Otherwise, you will damage your data and recording disks.

1. We unpack / install the program on one of the main disks on our computer. For example, let's take drive C. The path to the program will be - C:\flashnul.
2. Launch the command line through Win + X or through the start menu and enter this command:

cd C:\\flashnul

1. Next, a directory with a utility folder appears in front of us, where we need to define our flash drive. We write this command: flashnul -p
2. In the list that opened, we are looking for the name of our flash drive (number or letter). We remember him. For example, you have a flash drive with the name N. In this case, we write a command to completely clear the data: flashnul N: -F
3. We run a test for controller errors, all data will be destroyed along with it: flashnulN: -l
4. Upon completion of the test, we start formatting through the management console. After the actions taken, there should be no errors.

Problems with the program

Numerous problems can occur in Flashnul. One of the important problems is the appearance of this kind of error, in which flashnul itself cannot work with internal and external commands.

To solve the problem, you need:

1. Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory where our program is unpacked. Let's take drive C as an example.
2. On the command line, write " C:».
3. Next, you need to go to the Flashnul utility directory. Enter in line cd flashnul and that's it.

Use the Usbflashinfo utility. After starting the program, click on the "get information about the flash drive" tab. Finding lines VID, PID. Copy the values ​​found in these lines to the search engine. Most likely, there are special formatting programs for this flash drive.

On the flashboot.ru website you will find an incredible variety of programs, utilities and useful information for flash drives and microSD memory cards from all popular manufacturers. Perhaps it is there that you will select the program you need that will help your formatting problem.

We hope that the article helped you to the full and now you know what to do if your SD card is not formatted or there are other problems with formatting other storage media. Now you can not only work with flash drives for yourself, but also help your friends and acquaintances, who will thank you more than once for your efforts.

Most users of mobile phones and smartphones are faced with a situation where the phone does not see the memory card. Sometimes this question arises immediately after the purchase of the device, but most often it fails later, having already become an integral attribute of everyday life and accumulating important files. There are many reasons why the flash drive is not displayed on the screen and, with effort, the owner can always eliminate them.

If the phone does not see the memory card, we can talk about software problems, this factor is fixed in half of the situations. Just as often, defects are the result of a banal breakdown of a flash drive, only a replacement will help here, although modern capabilities allow you to recover data from a damaged media.

With a lack of time and desire, there is always the option of contacting the specialized services of a service center, but they cost money and will cost more than the flash drive itself. The instructions for restoring the browsing function apply to all generations of mobile devices, including older versions. In these cases, in response to the question: why the phone does not see the memory card, it remains to shrug: he is tired, he leaves. But! Data can always be reproduced in full!

In an extreme situation, a reading device will help, from which all of them are easily transferred to a PC.

Factors due to which the phone does not see the memory card

Having wondered why the smartphone does not see the memory card, its owner needs to analyze the following points:

1. Why did she fail?
2. Find out the current state;
3. Clarify the causes of failures;
4. If they relate to software, then why does the android not see the memory card.

Then based on the results

1. Format via PC;
2. Format via smartphone.

It must be remembered that when installing a flash drive for the first time, difficulties are often caused by its capacity. This is especially true for older models that are unable to support modern products.


If the new phone does not see the memory card what to do, the following list will prompt, which lists the main problems and ways to fix them.

• File system crashes. The most common problem that is fixed by reformatting a flash drive;
• Weak connection to the flash reader. The flash drive must be inserted more tightly, and then reboot the mobile phone;
• The phone does not see the memory card because the reader slot is completely defective. Only an appeal to the specialized services of the repair center will help here;
• The flash drive just burned out. It will no longer be possible to revive it, but there is still hope for data recovery. Modern facilities allow you to do this.

The phone does not see the memory card. Procedure

First of all, it needs to be rebooted. Usually this procedure is already enough to fix software failures and other difficulties. If, after rebooting, the phone does not see the microsd memory card, you need to remove the outer cover and pull out the battery, behind which the flash reader is located and check the contacts. In other models, the socket is located on the side, here you also need to try to press it more tightly against the contacts. The main thing is not to transfer, so as not to cause mechanical damage.

When there are no positive results, the product is tested on another instrument. The ideal option is a card reader connected to a computer. Another mobile device will work just fine. If it and all the stored information is available, then the problems are in the smartphone and repair can no longer be done here. The main reasons are caused by software flaws or damaged contacts.

When another phone does not see the memory card, we are talking about defects in the file structure, or the flash drive simply burned out. In this case, it is no longer subject to Recovery, while file failures are easily eliminated, it is enough to format the product.

Format with PC

It must be remembered that in the process all information from the drive will be deleted. If there is no certainty that the memory card is not visible on the phone due to software problems, and the stored information is important, it is better to take it to the repair service.

In another situation, you need to format the USB flash drive in the following sequence:

• It is placed in the reader, and then in the computer connector;
• The launch should start automatically. If this is not there, then the phone has stopped seeing the memory card due to its problems. You need to go to "My Computer" and see the list of available connections. The absence of a drive in it indicates that it burned out;
• When there is a display, right-click it and activate the "Format" option;
• A menu appears on the screen where the user must select the format. It is represented by 2 types NTFS and FAT. The lion's share of flash drives belongs to the FAT standard, which is selected from the very beginning. In the absence of positive results, you can try NTFS;
• Having determined the format, the owner activates the “Start” option and waits for the operation to complete;
• Next, a formatted flash drive is again checked for work. It happens that already at this stage all questions are removed.

In the absence of a card reader, all actions can be easily performed using a mobile device.

Formatting without a computer

So, what to do if there is no card reader, PC and laptop. It doesn't matter, the product is easily formatted using a mobile phone, you just need to go to the "Settings" of Android. They are located in the corresponding list, where the owner can use the "Disable" and "Extract" functions. Most current devices immediately prompt the owner to format the drive. You should not perform the operation immediately, because, just like in the case of a computer, the operation completely erases all stored files.

Before that, you need to check the contacts again, excluding the weak connection version. After making sure that the connection is sufficiently dense, the user proceeds to the direct process.

– The option "Clear" is selected in the menu. It takes a little time and, as a rule, fits within one minute. Then the "Connect SD card" function is activated in the menu and if there are no mechanical problems, it is ready for use.

Understanding the reasons, you should remember about different versions of Android firmware. This depends on the course of action. In other operating systems, the procedure is performed in a similar way, just find the "Settings" category