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

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

For users whose phone is a camera, player, or Internet surfing device, this problem can pose 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 the 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 working screen, nor is removable storage displayed in the Memory section in Settings. Accordingly, in all directories of the phone (for example, Music, Gallery) there are no corresponding files that were previously stored on the flash drive.

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 like “Memory card is disconnected” will appear on the screen. In the most rare cases, the device reports that the memory card is damaged.

<Рис. 1 Карта памяти>

The problem can occur on both a new device and an old one. And also both with an old memory card and with a new, empty media. Regardless of this, the reasons are often the same in 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:

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

The memory card itself may have the following problems:

Failure of the device (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 a lot of wear);
Physical damage to the contacts on the card or other problems;
File system mismatch (some new file systems do not “see” old phones, then it is shown that the drive is missing).

Depending on the cause of the malfunction, one or another method of eliminating it can be chosen.

<Рис. 2 Слот>

Elimination

There are several ways to deal with such problems. They are selected depending on the reason 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. Insert another memory card into 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, and also wipe the contacts on the media itself. This can be done with a cotton swab.

Most likely this will 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>

Every Android device has a Recovery mode. Running it will allow you to “roll back” all dubious settings to factory settings. Thus, if the device previously saw cards, but now does not see them, then this method can help.

First, perform a normal reboot of the device (not turning it off and on, but rebooting);
If this does not help, proceed to recovery;
Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time for up to 10 seconds (most often, this is how access to the recovery function opens);
As soon as the device restarts, a special start menu will open, reminiscent of the BIOS in Windows;
Go to the Wipe cache partition item (you need to do this using buttons or by clicking on the screen, depending on the device);
Reboot your device (rebooting may take much longer than usual).

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

Formatting

<Рис. 5 Форматирование>

Install the memory card into your computer using an adapter. Open it through the “My Computer” section to make sure the device is working. If the computer does not see the drive, then the memory card is faulty.

Press Win + R and wait for the Run window to open;
Write the command diskmgmt.msc in it;
Now a window should open in which all memory devices will be displayed - external, internal, formatted, unformatted;
If the letter designating the card matches the letter, for example, of the optical drive, etc., then you need to rename the card;
In rare cases, renaming may solve the problem;
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);
You can format the device from Explorer;
Right-click on the memory card;
A menu will open in which you need to select the Format line;
A window will open in which you need to remove the marker from the window next to the words “Quick Format”;
Below, indicate that you need to create a file system in FAT32 format (most often this option is set by default);
Click OK;
Wait for the process to complete.

After that, 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 problem.

Restoring work

<Рис. 6 Восстановление через ПК>

Restoring the operation of a MicroSD card is a specific case when a medium that was successfully recognized before suddenly ceases to be detected by the same device. In this case, there was no damage to the media or phone, no changes were made to the phone software, etc. This method can also help when the phone reports that “The memory card was not accessed,” “The memory card is damaged, etc. ."

This method is quite effective, but only for old cards. And only on the condition that they worked properly before. There is no point in using this method for new cards.

Connect the memory card to a PC or laptop to make sure it is working properly;
Open Explorer and right-click on the map;
Select Properties from the drop-down menu;
Go to the Service tab;
Run Disk Check, having previously specified the need to automatically correct detected errors and malfunctions;
In the same section, you can conduct a Surface Test with automatic recovery of damaged sectors (although this is not necessary).

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

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

The card should now interact normally with the phone.

File system

<Рис. 7 Файловая система>

There are memory cards in microSD HC and microSD XC formats. 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 duration of recording segments), but is not recognized by all phones, tablets and other devices.

So, some phones are simply not designed to support cards larger than 32GB. In this case, it is almost impossible to change the file system 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 appropriate one.

WHAT TO DO IF ANDROID (PHONE) DOESN’T SEEN THE MEMORY CARD?

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

If your SD card doesn't show up in Windows Explorer when you plug it into your PC's Card Reader, don't despair. This is a common problem with Windows, and although very frustrating, it is usually very easy to fix.

Below is a list of fixes that have worked for other Windows users. Start at the top of the list and work your way down until you find the fix that works for you.

Method 1: Update your drivers

In 80%, this problem is solved by installing drivers.

The driver can be downloaded from the official website of the laptop manufacturer.

For lenovo laptops

For HP laptops

For Asus laptops

For Aser laptops

For other brands of laptops, installing the driver for the card reader is similar.

Here are the websites of other manufacturers:

Dell - https://www.dell.com/support/home/ru/ru/rubsdc?app=drivers
Prestigio - http://www.prestigio.com/MultiBoard_Drivers
Toshiba - https://support.toshiba.com/drivers

Method 2: Run Windows Installer

Click Windows + R.
Enter " services.msc" without quotes in the launch field and click Enter key .
Find Windows installer.
Then right click on it and click " Start".
You can then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter again.

Try checking if Card Reader is recognized in Explorer.

Method 3: Reinstalling the controller

Press the keys Windows + R on the keyboard.
Enter devmgmt.msc in the "Open" text box.
Expand universal serial bus controllers from the window.
Right click on drivers and select " Delete" .
Click " OK" in “Confirm request to remove device”.
Restart your computer, the drivers will be automatically installed on your Windows 10.

Method 4: Test your SD card on another PC.

If your SD card is faulty, your computer will not recognize it. To check, you need to find another computer with a card reader and test your SD card on that computer to make sure it works.

If your SD card doesn't work on another PC, it's probably faulty and you need to replace it.

If he really works in another computer, then it is not a faulty card, but it may be that your card reader is faulty.

Method 5: Disable then enable the card reader

Go to Device Manager as above - when I do this, there are no SD host adapters, but there are memory technology devices that have a RealteK PCIE Card Reader. Select that, then click Driver, then Disable, confirm the pop-up, then back to the driver screen click Enable and its pop-up - the SD card now appears as before and is accessible.
I don't know why it works, but it did for me."

If you don't know how to do this, follow these steps:

1) On your keyboard, press the key Win+R(key Windows and key R) simultaneously to bring up the launch window.

2) Enter devmgmt.msc in the launch field and click " OK" .

4) Go to the tab Driver. Click " Disconnect device" .

5) When prompted to turn off the device, click " Yes" .

6) Double-click the card reader to open the Properties windows. Click " Turn on device" to turn the device back on.

We hope these tips help you troubleshoot your SD card issue. Please comment below if you have any questions or suggestions. We are always happy to hear about new solutions!

Method 6: Clean the SD card and reader

Another very common reason for an unrecognized SD card is a very simple one: a dirty SD card or a dusty card reader. Or it will lead to poor contacts between the card and the reader.

So the second thing you need to do is give your card a clean and remove any dust from the reader and then try the card again.

To clean the card, dip a cotton cloth in a little alcohol or water and lightly wipe the dirty area, turning special attention to metal contacts.
To clean your reader, use a compressed air device to blow dust out of the reader. Alternatively, you can buy a contact cleaner from Amazon that you can use to clean the reader.

To do this, you need to remove the drive from the connector and insert it into another phone or laptop using a special adapter. If the computer was unable to open the contents of the flash drive automatically, then you need to search for it manually in Explorer in the “Removable media” section. Even if the phone does not see the map, then do not despair, since this may be a consequence of the lack of drivers or incorrect formatting. It is necessary to repeat the operation several times; if it is not detected by any device, then we can conclude that it is inoperable.

When the flash drive is found, you should try to open and run some files. If they are displayed correctly, then the problem is not in the card, otherwise difficulties with finding may be the result of errors in the file system or a separate file.

The following sequence of actions must be followed:

1. Copy the entire contents of the SD card to a separate folder on your computer.
2. Right-click on the flash drive shortcut and select “Format” from the menu.
3. Confirm the operation with the “Start” button; you do not need to make any changes to the standard parameters.

Hardware faults

If the memory card is working, you should reinsert it into the slot; sometimes it happens that it does not fit tightly, causing contact to be lost. If this does not help, then you need to try inserting another flash drive. When the phone does not see the memory card in this case, the problem lies precisely in the connector; perhaps debris has gotten into it or the contacts are clogged; you should carefully wipe them with an eraser. Another reason may be the characteristics of the slot itself - connectors on old or very cheap smartphones cannot work with large SD cards (32 GB and above). Unfortunately, this cannot be corrected.

If the above methods did not help solve the problem when Android does not see the memory card, you should contact the service center for help.

Situations with memory card damage occur quite often. This article will discuss in detail the issue of restoring a damaged drive using third-party programs.

Loss of SD functionality can occur for many reasons - it could be damage to the drive itself, or a consequence of a malfunction of the device on which the card is installed.

Why crashes may occur

There are several most common causes, which may result in damage to the memory card:

physical damage;
availability broken sectors;
wrong extraction storage;
failure in the operation of the device;
unknown errors, leading to a malfunction of the SD.

In what cases is recovery possible?

Physical breakdown SD cards may be directly related to case damage. It can crack, and the microcircuits inside are at risk of being damaged. The most common case is loss of retainer Lock. In addition, the interface controller may fail. In this case, restoring work and saving data is, fortunately, still possible.

The presence of broken memory cells is an equally common case. In this situation, the flash drive is not recognized by devices. This type of failure appears over time, because the drive’s memory has several read/write cycles. When they run out, the flash drive fails. It is possible to restore operation using specialized software.

In addition, there are errors that cause SD to malfunction. Such errors include the following system notifications:

the media is detected, but its size is 0 KB;
cannot be detected, read or opened on any device.

Errors:

insert the disc into the device;
USB device not recognized;
flash card is damaged;
this device cannot be started (code 10);
error when connecting a USB device (code 43).

Each case will require analysis to find the cause of the failure and restore the data.

Device malfunctions occur quite often. In this case, the card is recognized on another device. This is due to connector damage on the gadget itself. In this case, you will have to repair the device itself, and not the flash drive. The same applies to damage to the SD card on Android.

Incorrect extraction is primarily due to user inexperience. If the card incorrectly removed, then the flash memory is damaged. Unfortunately, it is impossible to eliminate such a malfunction. In this case, only purchasing a new SD will solve the problem.

Formatting using special programs

Software that performs low-level formatting of the drive can resolve some problems. The most popular are HDD LOW Format and SDformatter. They are also used when micro SD is not formatted.

HDD LOW Format

An effective program that will help you format SD. HDD LOW Format has in its arsenal special formatting algorithms that will help restore the functionality of the micro SD in a few mouse clicks.

Process:

SDformatter

SDformatter is a small free and functional utility that allows you to perform low-level formatting of a flash drive. Among other things, the program allows you not only to clear the card, but also repair bad sectors. SDformatter's simple interface will allow even a novice user to cope with the task.

The process looks like as follows:

Using iFlash

To restore a memory card, you can use a special online service iFlash. This resource is a database of flash devices with the utilities most suitable for them.

Search process the required utility on the iFlash resource:

Kingmax (Super Stick and U-Drive)

To recover media from Kingmax, you will need Super Stick and U-Drive utilities. The operating principle of both programs is the same.

You can restore your drive in a few minutes:

open one of the versions of Super Stick or U-Drive utilities;
then a window will open (the interface of both utilities is identical);
click " Update" and wait for the process to complete.

Sandisk (Formatter Silicon Power)

install and open the program;
in the utility window select the module “ Recover" and wait for the restoration process to complete.

A-Data (Paragon Partition Manager Free)

For drives from A-Data, Paragon Partition Manager Free is best suited.

The process of restoring a drive using it looks like this:

open the program and in the main window use the module “ Format Partition»;
then you need to create new section disk, to do this select “ Create new partition».

There is another useful program - HDDScan, let's look at the process of working with it on video:

Other ways

If the above methods do not help or it is not possible to use them, you can try to recover the memory card using other tools.

Changing a letter disk:

Let's move on to installing drivers. To do this you will need DriverPack Solution for automatic installation the required software. You can also do this step manually and download the driver package from a specialized website.

In addition to using programs and other tools, it is best to start check the map on another device. If it is recognized, then the problem is hidden in your gadget ( android phone, tablet, camera and computer).

How to check a memory card for functionality

In case of failures and errors, it is worth checking the functionality. To do this, you do not need to use special tools; standard operating system tools will suffice.

The check can be done as follows:

How to handle SD card

To avoid data loss due to memory card failure, you must adhere to a number of rules when using it:

try to keep the card in protected place, avoid getting water on the interface connector, falls and other troubles that could damage the case;
not worth it touch with hands to the contact connector;
necessary defragment drive and use it as often as possible. If it is not used, then memory cells degrade over time;
don't forget create copies files located on a flash drive and transfer them to a PC;
not worth storing on the map large number files, you need to leave some free space;
at extraction from PC, you must use Safely Remove.

Now I will tell you about the reasons why an Android phone does not see a microSD memory card and what to do in such a situation. We’ll also see why the phone stopped seeing your memory card, although there were no problems with this before.

This article is suitable for all brands that produce phones on Android 10/9/8/7: Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, LG, Sony, ZTE, Huawei, Meizu, Fly, Alcatel, Xiaomi, Nokia and others. We are not responsible for your actions.

Attention! You can ask your question to a specialist at the end of the article.

Let's talk about everything in order.

Problems with the memory card

If Android does not see the memory card, then the cause of the problem may be on the side of the device itself or in the operation of the flash drive. You should start diagnosing with an external drive. Common causes of malfunction include:

Inappropriate file system (for example, NTFS or ExFat instead of Fat32). Read
Formatting errors, file system failures.
Incompatibility of the card and phone, unsupported volume (the device cannot work with cards larger than 16 GB, and you install a flash drive of 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB).
Hardware problems with the memory card, physical damage to the contacts.

If the card from the camera or from the DVR is not readable when installed in the phone, then the first thing you need to do is make sure that the phone supports this format and size.

The incompatibility problem can only be corrected by replacing the drive with a suitable one. It is much easier to deal with errors in the file system (or the wrong file system). After formatting, the card will be detected without rebooting or other unnecessary actions:

Increase

Formatting will delete all data on the memory card. If this is critical, save them to your computer before cleaning the drive, and after changing the file system, put them back on the card.

Problems with your phone

If the memory card is compatible with the phone, the file system is in a format suitable for Android, and there is no hardware damage, then the reasons should be sought in the operation of the smartphone. If a smartphone does not see a flash drive installed from another smartphone, but the computer does, then the following factors may influence this:

Incorrect drive installation.
The memory card slot is damaged/dirty.
Android software glitch.

Try removing the memory card and reinserting it, making sure the slot is working properly. If you see that the contacts are dirty, clean them with a regular eraser or a damp cloth. If cleaning does not help, there is a possibility that the contacts have become loose or damaged. Repairing them yourself is problematic and usually requires replacing the component.

If the device sees the flash drive in Recovery, but Android does not see the SD card in applications, although it shows that the space is occupied, then the cause of the problem should be sought in the operation of the system. If the error occurred due to a system failure, rebooting the device will help fix it.

Increase

Another solution is to reinstall the problematic application or transfer it from internal memory to microSD. What to do for this:

Open settings.
Go to the "Applications" section.
Select the application you are having problems with.
Click "Move to SD Card".

Increase

If difficulties with identifying an external drive arise after flashing the device, you should reflash it again using the official Android build from the manufacturer. You can get by with a less radical method and simply reset the settings through the Android interface or Recovery Menu.

To enter the Recovery Menu, turn off the phone, and then hold down the volume up key and the power button (there may be other combinations, look for your specific smartphone model). Only physical keys work in the recovery menu. Use the volume rocker to navigate to “wipe cache partition” and press the power button to select the option.

The reset will only be completed after a reboot. Make sure your battery has enough charge and don't do anything to damage your system files.

The phone stopped seeing the memory card over time

If you are sure that the memory card works correctly on another phone or computer, then the most common reasons for the lack of visibility are:

The memory card is not firmly seated contact group. Correct it in the slot.
Problems with software phone. Try rebooting or resetting to factory settings.
Problems directly with the memory chip on your microSD. Most often it happens with little-known manufacturers.
The phone was recently damaged (moisture got in, there was a shock, etc.).
One of the modules (most often the screen) has been replaced in the phone.
Other reasons. Try contacting a specialized smartphone repair shop in your city.