Why is my SD card reader not working, and how can I fix it? This post explains the possible reasons for it and provides seven practical solutions to resolve this annoying issue.
Before attempting any fixes, it’s important to understand why an SD card reader might fail on Windows. Typically, these issues fall into four main categories: hardware problems, driver problems, SD card issues, or BIOS/UEFI settings.
🔸 Loose or damaged connections: A poor connection between the SD card and the reader—or between an external reader and the PC—can stop the system from recognizing the card. This often happens if the card isn’t fully inserted or if the USB cable of an external reader is loosely connected.
🔸 Outdated or corrupted drivers: Drivers serve as the link between Windows and the SD card reader. Missing, outdated, or corrupted drivers prevent the operating system from communicating with the hardware.
🔸 SD card errors: Sometimes, the issue lies with the card itself rather than the reader. A locked write-protect switch, physical damage, or a corrupted file system can all prevent detection.
🔸 SD card reader disabled in BIOS/UEFI: In certain cases, the reader may be turned off in the BIOS or UEFI settings, which blocks Windows from detecting it.
If your SD card reader isn’t working, you can try the following methods to resolve the issue.
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix many hardware problems. If your SD card reader isn’t working, you can use this tool to identify and resolve the issue. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Press "Windows + I" to open "Settings", click "Update and Security" > "Troubleshoot" > "Hardware and Devices", and click the "Run the troubleshooter" button.
Step 2. Once the troubleshooter opens, click on "Next" to run it.
Step 3. The troubleshooter will scan and give a report to show you what needs to be troubleshooted. Select the ones you want to fix and click on "Next".
Outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers are a common reason why an SD card reader stops working. You can fix this by updating or reinstalling the driver.
Step 1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Expand Disk drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Step 3. Locate your SD card reader, right-click it, and choose Update driver.
Step 4. Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 5. If updating doesn’t solve the problem, right-click the device and choose Uninstall device, then restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
If your memory card isn’t appearing in Windows File Explorer, it may simply lack an assigned drive letter. Sometimes Windows cannot automatically allocate a letter, especially if it’s already in use by another device. You can resolve this by manually assigning one.
Step 1. Right-click the Start menu and select Disk Management.
Step 2. Locate your SD card’s partition, right-click it, and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
Step 3. Click Add.
Step 4. Pick a drive letter from the dropdown menu, click OK, and the SD card should now appear in File Explorer.
If you prefer, third-party software like AOMEI Partition Assistant can also handle this. This free partition manager allows you to reassign drive letters quickly, ensuring the card becomes accessible.
Beyond drive letter management, such tools offer a wealth of disk utilities. You can resize or extend partitions, clone hard drives, convert MBR to GPT without losing data, recover lost files, and more. They provide a complete solution for managing disks and partitions efficiently.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click the drive to which you want to assign a drive letter, select “Advanced” and then “Change Drive Letter”.
Step 2. Select the released drive letter in the pop-up window.
Step 3. Click “Apply” to view the pending operation and then “Proceed” to commit the operation.
If your SD card’s file system is corrupted, your computer may fail to read it. To fix this, you can repair the file system using either the CHKDSK command or a third-party tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant.
CHKDSK is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs file system errors on your SD card. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
Step 3. Enter chkdsk g: /f /r /x (replace g with your SD card’s drive letter) and press Enter. The command will scan and fix any detected errors.
For users who prefer a graphical interface or are unfamiliar with command-line tools, AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a simple, user-friendly alternative. It can check and repair file system errors on your SD card without requiring technical expertise.
Here are the steps to scan your SD card with AOMEI Partition Assistant are straightforward and intuitive, making error repair accessible to everyone.
1. Download the freeware. Install and launch it. Click “Test” in the top toolbar, and choose “Disk Surface Test”.
2. Tick Quick Check and click Start to check whether there are any bad sectors on the disk.
This is how to check disk error. If you want to check SD card partition error, you can right click a partition on the card->Advanced->Check Partition-> Choose a way to perform partition checking and click OK.
Sometimes an SD card reader may be disabled in your system settings, preventing your computer from recognizing the card. To fix this, you can enable it through Device Manager.
Step 1. Open Device Manager.
Step 2. Expand the Disk drives or Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
Step 3. Locate your card reader, double-click it, and open Properties.
Step 4. Go to the Driver tab and check if the device is enabled. If it’s disabled, click Enable Device.
A virus or malware could prevent your computer from properly detecting hardware like an SD card. Running a thorough scan can help identify and remove any threats.
Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
Step 2. Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
Step 3. Select Full Scan, and then click Scan now.
Completing a full scan ensures your system is free from malware that might be disrupting device recognition.
For built-in SD card readers, the device may be disabled in the BIOS or UEFI, preventing detection. To fix this, check your BIOS/UEFI settings:
Step 1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (commonly by pressing F2, F10, or Del during boot).
Step 2. Navigate to the Advanced or Peripherals section.
Step 3. Locate the option for the SD Card Reader or Memory Card and ensure it is enabled.
Step 4. Save your changes and exit. Your system will restart, and the card reader should now be active.
Step 5. To prevent future SD card reader problems, follow these best practices:
🕕 Handle cards carefully: Avoid bending, touching the metal contacts, or removing the card during data transfer.
🕕 Keep the reader clean: Use compressed air periodically to remove dust from built-in slots.
🕕 Eject safely: Always use the Safe Remove Hardware option before unplugging your SD card.
It could be due to a dirty reader, outdated drivers, or a corrupted file system. Testing the card elsewhere can isolate the problem.
Minor issues like dirt or software problems can be fixed at home. Physical damage may require professional replacement.
Yes, but formatting erases all data. Backup files before formatting to avoid permanent loss.
This is usually a driver or compatibility issue. Ensure your PC supports the card type and update drivers.
Yes. Malware can interfere with your system’s ability to read external devices. Running antivirus scans can help.
An SD card reader may stop working due to hardware faults, driver issues, card errors, or disabled system settings. By checking connections, updating drivers, assigning drive letters, repairing file systems, scanning for malware, and reviewing BIOS/UEFI options, most problems can be resolved. Proper handling, safe ejection, and regular maintenance help prevent future detection issues and ensure reliable SD card access on Windows PCs.