Detailed Guide: Fix SD Card Not Showing Up Error Easily

On this page, you can learn something about how to fix SD card not showing up error step by step. In addition, you can know how to recover data from SD card as well.

Zoey

By Zoey / Updated on August 28, 2023

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One moment your SD card operates seamlessly, and the next you're left puzzled by its refusal to be recognized by your devices. Why does this functionality and confusion occur? The answer is multifaceted. In this discourse, we will meticulously dissect the causes underlying the absence of your SD card on your Windows PC, as well as explore effective ways to fix the SD card not showing up error. At the same time, you will get a useful tool for SD card recovery.

Understanding the SD Card Now Showing Up

This quandary can arise from various origins, frequently disjointed from each other. At times, a mere blockade like lint or dust in your device's port could be the reason. Regardless, the primary factors leading to the SD card not showing up in File Explorer error are as follows:

๐Ÿ“Œ Incompatible File System: When the SD card's file system doesn't align with the operating system's expectations, it may exhibit emptiness or remain undetectable altogether.

๐Ÿ“Œ Corruption Issues: Logical corruption can disrupt the SD card's file system integrity, rendering it unreadable across devices. Such instances are often traced back to improper ejections during operation.

๐Ÿ“Œ Hardware Glitches: Physical mishandling of the SD card or its host device can give rise to hardware malfunctions. Dropping the card, for instance, could incapacitate the NAND chips storing crucial data.

๐Ÿ“Œ Outdated or Corrupt Drivers: Surprisingly, your computer might acknowledge the device's presence, yet falter in communication due to obsolete or dysfunctional drivers.

Irrespective of the specific obstacle that has led to your SD card's error, our fixing progresses by first recovering data from SD card, and then delving into solutions to ensure data security.

Data Recovery from SD Card Not Showing Up

You will be not sure about the feasibility of data recovery when an SD card seems unyielding. However, the solution lies within data recovery software. These tools possess the ability to access your SD card, even when it eludes File Explorer. As long as it surfaces in Device Manager, hope remains for data retrieval.

Given the distinctive traits of SD cards, resorting to specialized Windows data recovery utilities like MyRecover remerges as the most dependable recourse. This stands true, especially since only a minority employ proactive backups through Windows features or backup software.

โ˜… MyRecover's shining points:

  • Powerful features: Effortlessly recover lost & deleted MS Office files, folders, compressed data, media, web content, and over 200 file formats from various storage mediums.
  • Streamlined search: During Quick Scan or Deep Scan, swiftly locate desired files by Path, Filename, Date, Size, and more.
  • User convenience: Retain the original Path, Filename, and Format for recovered files.
  • Unparalleled compatibility: Extensive support for NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.

๐Ÿ“ƒ For comprehensive retrieval of vast deleted and absent SD card files, consider upgrading to MyRecover's Professional or Technician edition.

Don't hesitate to incorporate MyRecover into your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server setup today!

Step 1. Embed your SD card into your Windows platform. Initiate MyRecover, designate your connected SD card, and trigger the "Start Scan" command.

Choose the Partition not Detected Start Scan

Step 2. Refine your search using filters such as Name, Date, Document Type, or Path. Alternatively, utilize the search bar to swiftly locate targeted SD card files by name.

Scanning not Detected Drive

Step 3. Navigate to the folders housing Deleted Files, Recycle Bin, or Other Missing Files, cherry-pick desired files, and execute the "Recover x files" directive to commence Windows data retrieval.

Choose Files from not Detected Drive to Restore

How to Fix SD Card Not Showing Up

The predicament of your SD card's vanishing act transcends multiple dimensions and devices. Thus, we've dissected this section into potent solutions, empowering you to pinpoint and rectify your specific concerns.

Effective resolutions for troubleshooting an inscrutable SD card on a Windows laptop or PC have been meticulously documented. Presented below are some of the most efficacious approaches.

Approach 1. Clean the SD Card and Port

Before your device can fathom the contents of your SD card, physical contact must be established. Dust, lint, or foreign particles in the SD card or port can disrupt this connection.

Use a lint-free cloth to clean the SD card contacts. Employ an earbud to delicately remove obstructions from the SD card port. For obstinate residue, consider employing isopropyl alcohol, ensuring thorough drying before reuse.

Approach 2. DisableWrite Protection

A small switch, often labeled "lock," resides on the SD card's side. When raised, the card remains unlocked; when lowered, the disk is write-protected. This protective feature prevents alterations and new data storage.

Ensure the SD card is unlocked to circumvent issues.

Approach 3. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Drivers are the conduits facilitating communication between your device and Windows 10 or 11. In the absence of drivers, hardware devices go unnoticed by your computer.

Here's a guideline for updating and reinstalling SD card and reader drivers:

1. Right-click on Start > run Device Manager.

Device Manager

2. Expand the Disk drives section. Right-click your SD card, and access the Update driver.

External Hard Drive Update Driver

3. Opt for Search automatically for drivers. If updated drivers are detected, proceed with installation. Alternatively, manually install local drivers by selecting Browse my computer for drivers. If neither option applies, conclude with Close and proceed to the next step.

External Hard DRrie Search Automatic for Driver

4. Click on Uninstall device, then confirm. Detach the SD card, and reconnect it to prompt driver reinstallation.

Approach 4. Assign Drive Letter

Astoundingly, allocating a drive letter or altering an existing one can potentially resolve the issue of SD card or D drive now showing up, and more. Windows has historically relied on drive letters to identify attached storage devices.

Navigate the following steps to assign or modify a drive letter:

1. Right-click on Start and choose Disk Management.

2. Right-click your SD card's volume, and access Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Change Drive Letter and Path

3. Select Add or, if a letter exists, select Change.

Assign the Following Drive Letter

4. Opt for a drive letter from the dropdown, and confirm with OK.

Approach 5. Use CheckDisk

Windows incorporates CheckDisk to identify and resolve file system anomalies in attached storage devices. You may have noticed the error-checking feature when inspecting drive properties—this is essentially CheckDisk with a graphical interface.

Adhere to these instructions to execute CheckDisk on your SD card and mend any existing filesystem issues:

Right-click on Start and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin). If UAC prompts, affirm with Yes.

Enter chkdsk H: /f /r, replacing H: with your SD card's drive letter. Press Enter.

CHKDSK Command

Approach 6. Format the SD Card

Formatting emerges as an effective solution if your computer recognizes the SD card in Device Manager but fails to access it. Note that this may not be viable if the SD card remains unreadable. The process entails eliminating the existing file system and either introducing a new one or rejuvenating the existing structure.

Remember, formatting SD card will delete all data. Prioritize data recovery and backup before proceeding.

Execute the following steps to format your SD card:

1. Right-click on Start and choose Disk Management.

2. Right-click your SD card's volume and select Format.

Disk Management Format

3. Assign a label to your SD card and ensure FAT32 is the file system (our screenshots display NTFS for illustration). Select Perform a quick format and confirm with OK.

4. Confirm again with OK.

In Conclusion

The SD card not showing up issue finds its resolution through the insights presented in this discourse. Employing the methods outlined on this page, you're equipped to fix SD card not showing up errors quickly and effectively.

Zoey
Zoey ยท Editor
Zoey works as an English editor of AOMEI Technology. She provides tech information about backup and restore, mobile data transfer, and so on for AOMEI. She hopes that her articles will be greatly helpful for users. She is fond of music, film, and photography.