SD Card Keeps Disconnecting or Disappearing

There are seven solutions to address the issue of an SD card constantly disconnecting or disappearing. The table below provides an overview, and you can read the content for detailed instructions.

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Memory cards are petite, portable, and expandable, which renders them extensively employed in digital devices today. As we know, Android smartphones utilize micro SD cards, formerly known as TF cards, whereas digital cameras make use of larger SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. All storage devices are prone to degradation over time due to factors such as scratching, bending, repeated insertion and removal.

In this discussion, we'll address a common issue that arises with SD cards after extended usage or incorrect handling: an unstable SD card connection. Many users report that their SD card keeps disconnecting from their computer, Android device, or camera. Let's explore the reasons behind this problem and how you can resolve the intermittent issue on your own. 1. **Hardware Issues:** - **Loose Connection:** Ensure the SD card is properly inserted into the slot. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause frequent disconnections. - **Damaged Slot:** Check if the SD card reader on your computer or device is damaged. If so, try using a different reader or adapter. - **Damaged Card:** Physical damage to the SD card, such as bent pins or scratches, can lead to instability. Replace the damaged card if necessary. 2. **Software Issues:** - **Driver Problems:** Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connection issues. Update the SD card driver on your computer or device to the latest version. - **Conflict with Antivirus Software:** Some antivirus programs may interfere with the SD card's connectivity. Temporarily disable the antivirus and see if the issue persists. - **File System Corruption:** A corrupted file system can lead to disconnections. Use the built-in tools on your computer (e.g., Windows' chkdsk) to scan and repair the SD card. 3. **Firmware Updates:** - **Update Device Firmware:** If you're experiencing the issue with a camera or other devices, ensure that the firmware is up to date. This might fix compatibility issues. 4. **Reformatting the SD Card:** - **Format the Card:** If all else fails, consider reformatting the SD card. This will erase all data, so make sure to back up important files first. Format the card using the 'SD Card Formatter' tool or your device's built-in formatting option. 5. **Contact Support:** - **Technical Assistance:** If the issue persists, reach out to the manufacturer's technical support for further assistance or consider taking your device to a professional for repair. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the root cause of the unstable SD card connection. Always remember to back up your data before attempting any troubleshooting steps to avoid losing important information.

SD card keeps disconnecting in Windows 10/8/7 [7 fixes]

Solution 1: Remove and Reinsert the SD Card into a Windows PC

Solution 2: Change the SD card reader and reconnect it to your PC

Fix 3. Check if the SD card is recognized by another computer

Solution 4: Prevent PC from Turning Off Mass Storage Device

Solution 5: Update the SD card driver

Fix 6. Change SD card drive letter Translation: Fix 6. Change the SD card's drive letter

Solution 7: Format SD card to NTFS/FAT32

Typically, we use a card reader to connect a micro SD card or SD card to a computer. Unlike the issue of an "SD card not working or showing up," sometimes the SD card will show up momentarily before disappearing. If you wait a moment, it reappears. Something is amiss, and the following seven solutions may be beneficial to you.

1. Eject and reinsert the SD card into a Windows PC

When the SD card disconnects or disappears randomly, you can try reinserting it into the computer to see if it can be read stably.

2. Change the SD card reader and reconnect it to your PC

If the SD card reader isn't functioning properly, your SD card won't appear on the computer.

Insert the SD card into another computer to check if it is recognized.

Another approach is to insert your SD card into a different computer to check if it functions stably or not.

After completing these three steps, if your SD card becomes visible and accessible again, the issue is likely resolved. However, if the problem persists, proceed with the following steps to further address the issue on your SD card.

4. Prevent PC from Shutting Down Mass Storage Device

When the computer disables the Mass Storage Device, your SD card may not appear properly. Here's how to disable this feature: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Quick Link menu. 2. Click on "Device Manager" from the list. 3. In the Device Manager window, expand the category "Universal Serial Bus controllers" by clicking on the arrow next to it. 4. Look for any entries named "USB Mass Storage Device," "USB Composite Device," or similar. There may be more than one. 5. Right-click on each of these entries one by one and select "Properties." 6. In the Properties window, go to the "Driver" tab. 7. Click on "Disable device" and confirm if prompted. This will disable the USB Mass Storage Device temporarily. 8. After disabling all relevant devices, restart your computer. 9. Once your computer boots back up, check if your SD card is now recognized properly. Please note that disabling the Mass Storage Device might prevent other USB storage devices from functioning correctly. If you encounter issues, re-enable the devices following the same steps but choosing "Enable device" instead.

1. Press Windows + X to open a menu, then select "Device Manager" from the options. 2. Navigate to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" > "USB Mass Storage Device." 3. Click on the "Power Management" tab, and uncheck the checkbox next to "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." 4. Click "OK" to save the changes.

5. Update SD Card Driver

An SD card may start malfunctioning when its driver is incompatible or outdated. Hence, updating the driver to the latest version is crucial if the card is connecting and disconnecting randomly. You can download DriverHandy to identify outdated, missing, corrupted, broken, damaged, or incompatible drivers and promptly fix them.

1. Download the tool DriverHandy and launch it. 2. Click on "Scan" to detect all damaged drivers. 3. Select the SD card driver and click "Update" to resolve the issue.

6. Change SD card drive letter

A drive letter conflict could be the reason for the unstable connection, causing the SD cards to randomly disappear and reappear. To address this, try assigning a new drive letter to the SD card through Disk Management.

1. Press Windows key + X to open a menu, then select "Disk Management" from the options. 2. Right-click on your SD card and choose "Change drive letter and paths..." 3. Assign a new drive letter to your SD card and click OK to save the changes.

7. Format SD card to NTFS/FAT32

This method is mainly for SD cards that have been in use for a long time and are not in the best condition. Generally, formatting the disk can address some basic levels of SD card corruption and revert it to a fresh state.

To format a memory card using Disk Management: 1. Connect the memory card to your computer, either through a built-in reader or an external USB card reader. 2. Open Disk Management on your Windows PC. You can do this by: - Pressing the Windows key + X on your keyboard and selecting "Disk Management" from the menu. - Alternatively, search for "Disk Management" in the Windows search bar and click on the result. 3. In the Disk Management window, locate the memory card. It will usually be listed under "Non-system Disks" or "Unknown" with a drive letter assigned to it. 4. Right-click on the partition of the memory card (usually labeled as "Drive X:" where X represents the letter assigned) and select "Format." 5. A Format dialog box will appear. Here, you can choose the following options: - File system: Select the desired file system, such as "FAT32," "NTFS," or "exFAT." NTFS is recommended for larger capacity cards and better security, while FAT32 is more compatible with older devices. - Allocation unit size: Leave it at the default setting unless you have specific requirements. - Volume label: Optionally, give a name to your memory card. - Quick format: Check this box if you want to perform a quick format, which is faster but less thorough than a full format. 6. Click "OK" to start the formatting process. A warning message will appear, reminding you that all data on the memory card will be erased. Confirm your choice by clicking "OK" again. 7. Wait for the formatting to complete. This may take a few moments, depending on the size of the memory card. 8. Once the formatting is finished, the memory card will be ready to use with a fresh, empty storage space. Remember to backup any important data before formatting, as the process will permanently delete all files on the memory card.

1. Enter Disk Management again. 2. Right-click on your SD card, and this time, select "Format." 3. Choose a file system such as NTFS/FAT/FAT32 and click "OK."

After this, your SD card should be able to connect to your computer without interruption and work properly again.