In this article, you will learn to recover data from an undetected SD card. SD card is a small-sized data storage device that is compatible with many digital devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras, etc. Cross-device compatibility makes an SD card a popular choice for millions of people worldwide to store and carry data.
At the same time, SD cards are prone to corruption and deletion. Sometimes, they are not recognized, and users get worried about the information they carry. Is your SD card not detected on Mac or any other devices? It may happen due to various reasons that we will discuss in this read.Why Is My SD Card Not Detected?Before getting into the specifics of recovering data from an unrecognized SD card, let’s first look at the reasons behind losing your files from these cards.Poor Connection: The connection issues may make your SD card unrecognized. The card may work fine with your camera but not with your computer.Card Reader Issue: If your SD card is not reading, it may be due to a card reader issue. If your card works fine on other devices, try changing the card reader.Unsupported File System: If your SD card is formatted in a file system that is not recognized by your computer or any other device, you will be unable to access your card.Logical Corruption: Since you access data from your SD card using various devices, logical corruption of specific files or the whole system is common.Mechanical Damage: Though SD cards are sensitive, they survive a lot. At the same time, physical damage may keep them unrecognized on various devices.How to Recover Data from an SD CardIf you can’t access the data stored on the SD card, you can try using a tool to recover the data first before fixing the SD card not detected issue. In this case, Wondershare Recoverit is the top choice you can’t miss. It offers a 99.5% successful data recovery rate. With this SD card recovery software, you can recover photos, videos, emails, documents, audio files, and other types of data from not only SD cards but also from 1,000+ storage devices.
Here are the steps to recover files from your SD card.
Step 1: Download Recoverit from the official website, install it on your computer, and open the tool.
Step 2: Choose your SD card in the SD Card Recovery section and hit Start.
 
Step 3: Allow the tool to scan your SD card for lost or deleted files. Wait until scanning is completed.


Step 4: Click Preview to see the recoverable files. If they are the ones you want to restore, click the Recover button to get them back on your system.

How to Fix the SD Card Not Detected Problem?If you want to make your SD card detected by all devices, try the methods given below. They will help you get out of this trouble.1. Check ConnectionsIs your SD card not reading? It does not always mean that there is a problem with the card. It could be an issue with the connections. First, clean the ports gently and properly. Then, reconnect the card to your system to see if it is detected this time.
If it doesn't work, try changing the port or connecting the card to a different system. Still no luck? No problem! Use a different card reader and try again. If any of these tips resolve the issue, it means there was something wrong with the connections, not with the card itself.2. Scan the Card with the Command PromptAs the name suggests, Command Prompt is a built-in command-line tool available in Windows. It helps you fix various technical issues using different commands. If your SD card is corrupted for any reason and is not detected, use the CHKDSK command to fix the problem immediately. Here’s how you can use Command Prompt to fix the “SD card not recognized” issue.
Step 1: Go to the Windows search bar and type CMD.
Step 2: Right-click the CMD icon and choose Run as administrator.
Step 3: Enter the chkdsk F:/r command. Don’t forget to replace F with the drive letter of your undetected SD card.
Following the steps above will fix minor corruption, making your card detectable on all devices. If this method doesn’t work, move on.3. Update the Card DriverIf the SD card driver is outdated, your card may not show up. Therefore, it is always recommended to keep the SD card driver up to date. Follow the steps below to update the driver of your memory card.
Step 1: Connect your unrecognized/undetected SD card to your system.
Step 2: Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R keys.
Step 3: Enter the devmgmt.msc command and hit the OK button. You will now see a new window on your screen - Device Manager.
Step 4: Open the Disk drivers drop-down list, right-click your undetected SD card, and tap on Update driver, as shown below.
Step 5: Choose Search automatically and follow the given instructions to update the SD card driver.4. Change the Drive LetterIf your SD card is not recognized, changing its drive letter may make it detectable. Here’s how you can change the drive letter of your unreadable SD card.
Step 1: Connect the undetected SD card to your computer.
Step 2: Press the Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Enter diskmgmt and hit OK.
Step 3: You will see a list of all the available drives. Right-click on the undetected SD card and tap on Change Drive Letter and Paths….
Step 4: Hit the Change button, and you will see the current drive letter (in the drop-down menu) of your unrecognized SD card.
Step 5: Now, choose the new drive letter from the drop-down list, and click OK.5. Format the SD Card with Disk ManagementFormatting an SD card requires the following steps.
Step 1: Open the Disk Management utility.
Step 2: Right-click your undetected SD card and choose Format.
Step 3: Check the Perform a quick format box and hit OK.Final WordsSD card not showing up? It may be due to logical corruption, an unsupported file system, poor connection, or other reasons. These issues can be fixed in various ways, including checking connections, changing the drive letter, and updating the driver. If you want to recover data from a corrupted or formatted SD card, use a trusted recovery tool like Recoverit.FAQsHow can I make my unrecognized SD card detectable?
Reinserting the SD card properly or cleaning its metal contacts may make it detectable for various devices. Similarly, you can try a different card reader, update drivers, or check Disk Utility to fix this issue.
What if my SD card is detected, but I can’t open it?
Reformat the card, use Disk Utility to repair, or run a file system check to fix this problem. If they don’t work, use a recovery tool to extract files.
Why does my SD card work fine with one device but remains undetected by the other?
This problem occurs due to incompatibility with the file system, encryption, or device limitations.