How to troubleshoot when your device doesn't detect an SD card

Last Update date : Dec 28. 2021

Depending on your device model, you may be able to expand your device’s storage capacity by inserting an SD card. If your device does not recognize the SD card or displays a ‘Can’t write to SD card’ warning, check the following guide to troubleshoot the issue. 

Before you try the recommendations below, be sure to check if your device's software and related apps are updated to the latest version. To update your mobile device's software, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Software update.

Step 2. Tap on Download and install.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Inspect the SD card

First, take out the SD card from your device and inspect it for any damage. 

Insert ejector tool to eject card tray Insert ejector tool to eject card tray

Step 1. Turn off your device and insert an ejector tool into the small hole next to the SD card tray slot to eject the card tray.

Inspect SD card for damage and reinsert Inspect SD card for damage and reinsert

Step 2. Inspect the SD card for any damage. If there is debris or dust on the SD card, use a soft cloth to wipe the surface before reinserting it.

Even if your SD card does not have any visible damage, you may still experience issues. If you have other devices nearby, test the SD card to ensure that it works. 

Try force restarting your device. Restarting may resolve the issue of your device not recognizing your SD card. 

Press and hold Volume down and Side key to Power off Press and hold Volume down and Side key to Power off

Step 1. Turn off your device by holding down the Volume down key and Side key simultaneously, then selecting Power off.

Press and hold Volume down and Side key Press and hold Volume down and Side key

Step 2. After the screen turns off, press and hold the Volume down key and Side key at the same time.

Release keys when Samsung logo appears Release keys when Samsung logo appears

Step 3. When the Samsung logo appears on screen, release the keys.

Note: 

  • Your data and files will be preserved even if you force restart your device.

Your SD card may have been damaged due to a third-party app on your device. To check whether this is the case, try accessing the SD card in Safe mode, with all third-party apps disabled. If your SD card is recognized in Safe mode, you can try deleting apps that you recently downloaded, don’t recognize or appear malicious. 

Switch to Safe mode by following the steps below.

Hold Volume down and Side key to Power off Hold Volume down and Side key to Power off

Step 1. Turn off your device by holding down the Volume down key and Side key simultaneously, then selecting Power off.

Select Power off Select Power off

Step 2. Select Power off.

Press and hold Volume down and Side key Press and hold Volume down and Side key

Step 3. After the screen turns off, press and hold the Volume down key and Side key at the same time.

Release Side key while holding Volume down key Release Side key while holding Volume down key

Step 4. Once the Samsung logo appears on screen, release the Side key, while holding the Volume down key.

Try updating in Safe mode Try updating in Safe mode

Step 5. When Safe mode appears on the lower left corner of the screen, release the key.

Follow the steps below to delete an app in Safe mode.

Apps settings Apps settings

Step 1. Go to Settings and select Apps.

Identify unknown or malicious apps Identify unknown or malicious apps

Step 2. Identify apps that you don’t recognize, or appear malicious.

Uninstall app Uninstall app

Step 3. Select Uninstall.

Tap OK Tap OK

Step 4. Tap OK.

From Safe mode, switch to normal mode by following the steps below. 

Step 1. Press and hold the Volume down key and Side key simultaneously.
Step 2. Select Restart.

Switch from Safe mode to normal mode

You can try resolving the SD card recognition error by formatting your SD card. To avoid losing your data, make sure to back it up before formatting. To format your SD card, follow the steps below. 

Note: 

  • Formatting will erase any existing content on the SD card and can not be restored. 
Battery and device care settings Battery and device care settings

Step 1. Go to Settings and select Battery and device care.

Select Storage Select Storage

Step 2. Select Storage.

Tap More and select Advanced Tap More and select Advanced

Step 3. Tap More and select Advanced.

Select SD card setting Select SD card setting

Step 4. Select SD card.

Tap Format Tap Format

Step 5. Tap Format and follow the on-screen instructions to format the SD card.

You can optimize and protect your device with Device protection. It may prevent malware-induced SD card recognition errors in the future.

Battery and Device care Battery and Device care

Step 1. Go to Settings and select Battery and device care.

Device protection Device protection

Step 2. Select Device protection.

Scan phone Scan phone

Step 3. Tap Scan phone.

Note: 

  •  Volume and Side key locations may vary depending on the device model.
  •  Not all phone models support the use of SD cards.
  •  If you followed the steps listed above but the issue persists, your device may be physically damaged. Please check the Support Center for relevant information.
  • Device screenshots and menus may vary depending on the device model and software version.

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