Windows 11 doesn't recognize SD card? Here's what you can do

Although slightly less common now, many users still use SD cards to store images and other forms of data. To access it, there's usually a dedicated slot, or you can use an external card reader. But some users have reported that their SD cards are not recognized in Windows 11.

When this happens, users are stuck as they are unable to access or retrieve the data in the SD card. The blame usually falls on the SD card itself, although this is not always the case.

So, you must know the reasons why your SD card is not recognized in Windows 11 and the best ways to solve the problem. Read the following sections to find the answers to both questions.

Why is my SD card not recognized in Windows 11?

You should follow a systematic and balanced approach when troubleshooting errors. First, check if the SD card is listed in File Explorer. If not, go to Disk Management and verify if you can find it there.

If the SD is not in File Explorer but is listed in Disk Management, it most likely does not have a drive letter assigned to it. However, if you can't find it in both locations, the drivers (card and card reader) are to blame.

Disk Management in Windows 11

In addition to this, the SD card may have write protection enabled, which may prevent you from accessing it. Additionally, malware or viruses on the SD card or computer may cause this issue.

If you are able to identify the issue, just head to the relevant method and execute it to fix SD card not recognized issue in Windows 11. Otherwise, perform quick troubleshooting in the order listed.

What should I do if the SD card is not recognized in Windows 11?

1. Some basic checks

Before we start with complex solutions, there are some basic checks that may be helpful. First, remove the SD card and wipe it with a clean cloth. Also, blow a gentle breeze into the ports on your computer to remove any dust buildup or debris.

If you are using an external SD card reader, unplug it and connect it to another USB port. If there was a problem with the previously connected USB port, this should fix it.

You can also try connecting the SD card to another computer and check if it works there. If so, the problem is with your computer and the methods listed below should fix it.

Even if not, we recommend trying the methods here to fix SD card not recognized in Windows 11 issue just to be sure as it may be related to write protection.

2. Disable write protection

Many SD cards have a write protection feature that only allows the data on it to be read and you cannot make any changes to it. However, if something goes wrong here, it can also cause your SD card to not be recognized in Windows 11.

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In this case it is better to disable write protection. To do this, look for a switch near the corner and move it to the off or unlocked position, which may be the case with the SD card.

Write Protect Switch on SD Card

Once done, reconnect the SD card and check if it works now. If the error persists, go to the next method.

3. Assign a drive letter to the SD card

1. Press Windows X or right-click the Start icon to launch quick access /Power User menu and select Disk Management from the list of options.
2. Now, right-click on the SD card in question and select Change drive letter and path from the context menu.
3. Click the Add button.
4. Next, select a drive letter from the drop-down menu or use the default selection, and click OK at the bottom to save the changes.

4. Update the SD card driver

1. Press Windows S to launch the search menu. Enter Device Manager in the text field and click on the relevant search results that appear.
2. Now, find the SD card, right-click on it and select Update Driver from the context menu.
3. SelectAutomatically search for drivers in the Update Driver window.

#Outdated drivers can also cause SD card not to be recognized in Windows 11 issue. If this is the case, updating the driver should resolve the issue.

Every time a driver is updated, certain enhancements are introduced in terms of performance, new features, and patches for previously known bugs.

But the Device Manager method listed here only scans the downloaded version on your computer. If you haven't downloaded it before, the whole exercise might be in vain. In this case, you can manually install the latest driver version.

Alternatively, you can take the simpler route and let a reliable third-party application take care of the updates. We recommend using DriverFix, a specialized tool that automatically installs and keeps the latest versions of all drivers on your system up to date.

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5. Scan for malware and viruses

1. Press Windows SLaunch the search menu, enter Windows Security in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Click on Virus and Threat Protection.
3. Next, click Scan Options to view all available scans.
4. Select the Full Scan option and click the Scan Now button at the bottom.

Systems infected with malware or viruses may malfunction and cause SD card not to be recognized in Windows 11 issues. If this is the case, running a scan should eliminate the error. Additionally, you can scan using reliable third-party antivirus software.

6. Format SD card

1. Press Windows S to launch the search menu and enter to create and format the hard disk partition , and then click the relevant search result to launch Disk Management.
2. Right-click on the failed SD card and select Format from the context menu.
3. Next, select FAT32 from the File System drop-down menu, enter a name in the Volume Label text field and click Click OK at the bottom.
4. Click OK in the pop-up confirmation prompt.
5. Wait for the formatting process to complete.

Performing a format should resolve any issues with the SD card and it will now be recognized in Windows 11.

If this doesn't help either, there may be a problem with the card reader and you will have to repair or replace it.

In many cases, users try to connect new generation SD cards to incompatible older card readers. Here, all you have to do is buy a reliable and effective card reader to eliminate SD card not recognized in Windows 11 error.

Also, check out the best tool to recover photos from SD card in case it stops working or you accidentally delete the data from it.

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