Check Physical Connection
One of the most common reasons an Android tablet may not recognize an SD card is because there is a poor physical connection between the card and the device. Here are some tips for checking and fixing the physical connection:
Make sure the SD card is inserted fully into the card slot. It’s easy for the card to become slightly dislodged, especially if the tablet is moved around frequently. Open the card slot cover and press the card gently but firmly until it clicks into place. Consult your tablet’s manual for the proper insertion technique.
Inspect the card slot for any obstructions or damage. Buildup of dust, dirt or lint can sometimes prevent proper contact. Use a can of compressed air to clear out any debris. If the card reader itself seems damaged, you may need professional repair.
Check that you are using the correct type of SD card for your device. Tablets support standard size SD cards and microSD cards with adapters. Using the wrong card type can prevent recognition.
Try removing and reinserting the SD card to get a fresh connection. Reboot the tablet after reinserting the card, as this can prompt the system to remount the external storage.
As a last resort, try using a different SD card reader such as a portable USB-C adapter. If the new reader detects the card properly, the tablet’s built-in reader could be faulty.
Examine the SD Card
One of the most common issues that can prevent an Android tablet from recognizing an SD card is physical damage to the card itself. Carefully examine the SD card for any signs of damage or corrosion, especially on the metal contacts. If the contacts are dirty, try cleaning them gently with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. If the contacts are damaged or corroded, the tablet may not be able to read the card properly.
Also look for cracks, chips or scratches on the SD card. Even small defects in the plastic casing can interfere with the card’s ability to make proper contact in the tablet’s card reader. If the damage is substantial, the internal memory chips or controller board could be affected as well. In that case, the SD card is likely beyond repair and will need to be replaced.
Finally, double check that the SD card is fully inserted in the card slot. Sometimes a little debris or misalignment prevents the contacts from connecting. Try removing and reinserting the card a few times to get a better connection. If the tablet still won’t recognize the card, the issue is likely with the card itself rather than the reader.
Sources:
https://www.makeuseof.com/ways-to-troubleshoot-and-fix-microsd-issues/
https://www.cleverfiles.com/howto/fix-corrupted-sd-card.html
Verify the Card is Supported
One common issue is that the SD card is not compatible with your Android tablet. Every device has specifications for the type of SD card it can support. Factors like speed, capacity, and format can determine if a card will work properly.
First, check the user manual or spec sheet for your tablet to find the supported SD card capacities. Many Android tablets support cards up to 512GB, but some budget models may only support up to 32GB or 64GB. Using a card that exceeds the specified capacity could lead to recognition issues.
Next, look at the speed rating printed on your SD card and compare it to your device’s requirements. SD card speed classes range from Class 2 (minimum of 2 MB/s write speed) up to UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) which requires 30 MB/s minimum. Using a slower card than specified can impact performance. According to Android Police, UHS-I or U3 speed class cards offer the fastest speeds for Android tablets.
Finally, make sure your card is formatted properly. Most Android devices require cards to be formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. An incorrectly formatted card may not mount correctly. You can reformat the card using your computer or tablet to ensure compatible formatting.
Following device specifications for capacity, speed rating, and formatting can help ensure your SD card functions as intended. If your card meets the requirements, the issue likely lies elsewhere.
Check if Card is Mounted
The first step is to check if your Android tablet recognizes the SD card at all. Go to the Settings app and select “Storage” or “Memory” to view information about the internal storage and any external SD cards. If you don’t see any mention of an SD card, then your tablet is not detecting it.
You can also use a file manager app like ES File Explorer to browse the folders and storage drives on your device. If the SD card is properly mounted, you should see it listed as a storage drive that you can access. However, if it’s not appearing here either, then there is an issue with your tablet detecting the card.
According to a Stack Overflow discussion1, you can run the command mount in a terminal app or ADB shell to view the currently mounted drives. If your SD card is listed there, it means your tablet has recognized it but hasn’t mounted it for normal access.
So in summary, check Settings, a file manager app, and the mount command to determine if your tablet has detected the SD card at all. If it’s not visible in any of these places, the issue lies with the tablet not recognizing the card rather than it just being unmounted.
Restart the Device
One of the easiest troubleshooting steps to try when your Android tablet won’t recognize an SD card is to restart the device. Sometimes the SD card may fail to mount properly when the tablet boots up, and a simple restart can fix this issue.
To restart your Android tablet and remount the SD card:
- Power off your tablet completely by holding down the power button for several seconds until it shuts down.
- Remove any protective cases, then take out the SD card.
- Inspect the SD card for any debris or damage on the gold contacts.
- Wipe the SD card gently with a clean, dry cloth if needed.
- Reinsert the SD card into the tablet’s slot, making sure it clicks fully into place.
- Press and hold the power button again to turn the tablet back on.
Once the tablet reboots, try accessing the SD card again through your file manager or an app like your camera. The restart and reseating of the memory card may have cleared up any issues and allowed the Android OS to properly recognize the external storage.
If the issue persists, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps like updating device software, clearing app cache, or testing with a different SD card. But a simple restart and reinsertion of the card is one of the quickest first steps to attempt.
Clear Cache Partition
One way to troubleshoot SD card issues is by wiping the cache partition on your Android tablet [1]. The cache partition contains temporary system files and can become corrupted over time, leading to problems with external storage devices like SD cards. You can wipe the cache partition by rebooting your tablet into recovery mode:
- Power off your tablet completely.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time. This will boot your tablet into recovery mode.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll to “Wipe cache partition” and select it with the power button.
- Confirm that you want to wipe the cache partition.
- After it finishes, select “Reboot system now” to restart your tablet.
Wiping the cache partition deletes temporary files that could be causing issues with the tablet detecting the SD card correctly. Be aware that this will not delete personal data stored on the device. Try re-inserting your SD card after wiping the cache to see if the issue is resolved.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can help resolve issues with apps not properly recognizing the SD card. This clears out any permissions, cached data, or custom settings that may be causing conflicts. Here’s a quick guide on how to reset app preferences on an Android device:
1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the three dot menu in the top right corner.
3. Select “Reset app preferences” from the menu.
4. Confirm on the next pop-up by tapping “Reset apps.”
This will reset all app preferences and clear any app data or permissions related to the SD card. It essentially restores app settings to their default factory state which can fix issues with apps not detecting the SD card properly. Just be aware it will reset preferences for all apps, not just ones related to the SD card.
Sources:
https://www.guidingtech.com/reset-app-preferences-meaning/
Update Device Software
One of the most common reasons an Android tablet may not recognize an SD card is because the device software is out of date. Android devices receive periodic system updates that include bug fixes, security patches, and improvements to device functionality. Over time, not installing the latest updates can lead to issues like SD card recognition failures.
To update your tablet’s software, open the Settings app and select “System updates.” Your tablet will automatically check for any pending updates. If an update is available, select “Download and install” to get the latest software. These updates often resolve bugs and optimize how the device interfaces with external storage like SD cards.
It’s a good practice to regularly install Android OS and security updates as soon as they become available for your device model. According to a Google Pixel Phone Help thread, the security updates in particular fix many bugs over time. Keeping your system fully up-to-date improves compatibility with SD cards and other hardware accessories.
After updating your tablet’s OS, try inserting the SD card again to see if the issue is resolved. A freshly updated system often leads to improved SD card recognition and performance.
Try a Different SD Card
One of the easiest troubleshooting steps is to test your tablet’s SD card slot with another known good SD card. SD cards can fail or become corrupted over time, especially cheaper cards with lower quality NAND memory chips inside. Trying another trustworthy high-quality SD card that’s known to work properly in other devices is a quick way to isolate if the issue is with your current problematic SD card.
First, safely eject and remove your SD card from the tablet. Then, insert an alternate SD card from another source that’s confirmed to be fully functional. If your Android tablet instantly recognizes the replacement SD card and you can view/access files on it, then the issue likely lies with your original SD card being faulty. However, if the new SD card also fails to mount or appears unrecognized, then there may be an underlying problem with the SD card reader hardware or software drivers on your Android device.
Before replacing your SD card, try re-formatting it on a computer to clear any corruption. But if issues persist with only that specific SD card, it’s recommended to retire it and use a new SD card for reliable performance. Having a spare SD card or two can help for troubleshooting and accessing your data if your primary SD card fails. Just remember to regularly backup important files and photos so they aren’t permanently lost if an SD card stops working.
Factory Reset the Tablet
One way to get your Android tablet to recognize the SD card again is to perform a factory reset, which will fully wipe the device and reinstall all apps and settings. This should clear any software bugs or corrupt files that may be preventing the SD card from mounting properly.
According to this guide, you can factory reset your Android tablet by going to Settings > Backup and Reset and selecting Factory Data Reset. This will give you the option to erase all data on the tablet. Make sure to backup any important data first.
An alternative method is to do the factory reset from the recovery menu if you can’t access the tablet’s settings. Turn off the device and then hold the Volume Up + Power buttons together until you see the recovery menu. Use the volume keys to navigate and select “wipe data/factory reset” to reset the device.
Once the factory reset is complete, set up the tablet again and try inserting the SD card. This should clear any software issues preventing the card from being read and allow the tablet to recognize it again so you can use the expanded storage.
