How Can You Recover Data From An Undetected SD Card?

5 min readMay 11, 2024

Summary: If an SD card is undetected, a variety of factors may be at play. Learn in this blog, main reason for an SD card not being detected. This blog also discusses how to resolve SD card-not-detected issues on mobile devices and PCs and complete undetected SD card recovery. Moreover, it outlines techniques for retrieving data from an unidentified microSD card. You can also learn about BLR Data Recovery Tool.

We’ve all experienced the heart-wrenching moment when your device doesn’t detect your SD card.

Even though an SD card that no device can detect might make you feel anxious, know that you are not alone.

Why can’t I detect my SD card?

A number of factors can prevent the detection of an SD card. Some of them include:

Physically damaged card
Debris in the card slot
Incompatible or corrupted file systems
Outdated or incompatible drivers
There was poor contact between the card and the device’s card slot.
There are compatibility issues between the device and the SD card.
Virus or malware
Outdated device firmware

Knowing possible causes can help you keep your SD card safe and pick the right method to fix the microSD card undetected issue.

How can I fix my mobile device or laptop’s inability to detect the SD card?

Here’s how to fix an SD card that your laptop or videos didn’t detect.

Common Methods:

1. Clean the SD card slot.

Dust or debris might hinder the connection. Cleaning the SD card slot can thus help fix the microSD card not detected issue. Remember:

Power off your device before removing the SD card.
Gently blow into the SD card slot to remove dust, or use compressed air.

2. Format the SD card.

Formatting the SD card can resolve compatibility or corruption issues that may cause the SD card not to detect problems.

Make sure to back up important data from the SD card.
Go to “Settings” > “Storage” or “Device Care” > “Storage.”
Find the SD card and tap on “Format” or “Erase.”
Confirm the action and let the formatting process complete.

3. Repair hardware issues.

If none of the software fixes work, there might be a hardware problem. To avoid any problems, consider seeking professional repair services to fix the SD card.

Ways to Fix SD Cards Not Detected in Mobile

1. Unmount and remount the SD card.

Go to “Settings” > “Storage” or “Device Care” > “Storage.”
Find the SD card and tap on “Unmount” or “Eject.”
Wait a few seconds, then tap on “Mount” or “Mount SD card.”

2. Perform a factory reset.

If other fixes fail, performing a factory reset might solve the issue.

Caution: A factory reset will erase all data on the device.

Back up all important data on your device.
Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Reset Options.”
Choose “Erase all data (factory reset)” or a similar option.
Confirm the action and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Clear Cache

Go to Settings > Apps.
Find and select “Storage” or “Apps,” depending on your device.
Choose the app that uses the SD card and clear its cache.

How to Fix a Laptop or PC That Doesn’t Detect an SD Card

1. Reinstall the SD Card Reader Driver.

Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
Expand the “Disk drives” section and find your SD card reader.
Right-click on the SD card reader and choose “Uninstall device.”
Restart your computer.

Note: Drivers should be automatically installed. If not, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver.

2. Assign a new drive letter to the SD card.

Right-click on the Start button and select “Disk Management.”
Find your SD card at the bottom of the list of drives.
Right-click on the SD card’s partition and choose “Change Drive Letter and Paths.”
Click “Change” and select a new, unused drive letter from the dropdown.
Click “OK” and restart your computer.

3. Create a partition on the SD card.

Right-click on the Start button and select “Disk Management.”
Locate your SD card, which may have the labels “Unallocated” or “Raw.”
Right-click on it and select “New Simple Volume.”
Follow the wizard to create a new partition, assign a drive letter, and format it.
After formatting, the SD card should be accessible.

How can I recover data from an SD card that is not detecting an issue?

Even when you struggle with an SD card that no device can detect, there are ways to recover your data, whether it’s cherished photos, important documents, or irreplaceable memories.

Option 1: Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software employs advanced algorithms to scan the storage media (like SD cards) for remnants of lost files. If the device fails to detect the card, this aids in file recovery.

BLR Tools Data Recovery is a user-friendly tool you can trust to recover your data from undetected SD card.

The software offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features to help you recover your precious data.

One of the advantages of the BLR Tools Data Recovery software is that it gives you control over the data you can recover.

Option 2: Data Recovery Services

BLR Tools also offers a data recovery service for cases where the DIY approach isn’t enough.

Data recovery services entail sending your malfunctioning SD card to professionals who specialize in retrieving data from damaged or inaccessible storage devices.

Here’s the process of data recovery:

The experts at BLR Tools have the necessary tools and cleanroom facilities to handle even the most challenging data recovery situations.

Here’s an example of when they successfully recovered data from an undetected SD card.

Tips to Protect Your SD Cards

Always eject your SD card properly to avoid data corruption.
To avoid physical damage, store cards in protective cases.
Protect your cards from moisture and extreme temperatures.
Invest in reputable brands to minimize compatibility problems.
Keep your devices and card readers updated.
Only download software from reliable sources to prevent malware.
Regularly scan your SD cards for malware.
Before removing the card, unmount it from the device.

Pro tip: Backup your data to prevent loss in case of card issues.