Last Updated: November 13th, 2020
Whether you want to transfer the pictures from your camera’s, phone’s, camcorder’s, and audio player’s SD card, load some files or transfer some documents from your laptop to your SD card, you need your card to show up. As long as your card is not reading by the Mac, you can’t proceed and this can be nerve-wracking, especially when the task is urgent. Find SD card is not reading by Mac.
How SD Cards Work
SD cards are small, handy tools for external storage with capacities ranging from 2 GB to 128 TB. The term SD means Standard Digital and your laptop will recognize it as a USB storage device once you insert it into the SD card slot. They are essential when you need large storage to complement your digital devices.
Possible Reasons Your SD Card Won’t Read on Mac & Their Solutions
SD cards are popular because they portable, easy to carry, and convenient. However, like any other device, they can act up for various reasons, including:
Debris & dust
Sometimes, your SD card won’t read simply because its surface is coated with dust and other debris on the metal contacts. Gently clean off the surface with a soft cloth before a repeat insertion. Also, check the card reader slot and gently clean off any dust or visible particles.
Low Memory
When your laptop is running many applications, space limitations make it challenging to take up additional tasks like reading your SD card. To resolve this problem, you can shut down the other operations before re-inserting your SD card.
Operating System failure
Your operating system may prevent SD cards from reading. This may happen when your SD card drivers are not updated. Updating your Mac operating system will update and fix the drivers, allowing you to read and use your card.
Faulty SD card slot
Rough handling and long-term wear can damage your SD card slot, rendering it unable to detect and mount SD cards. One way of detecting a faulty drive is by inserting your SD card on other devices. If your card is readable from another device, your Mac’s card reader is faulty and needs repair. You can also fix this problem by inserting your card into a different USB port on the same device.
Viruses & Malware
Corrupted SD cards may fail to read on your Mac. Sometimes they appear blank despite containing data. Ensure your antivirus software is updated to prevent the corrupted files from infecting files on your laptop. Scanning your device and removing the threats will solve this problem.
Device incompatibility
There are various sizes and capacities of SD cards. If your card is not a standard size (32mm x 24mm x 2.1mm), your Mac reader won’t recognize it. Ensure your device meets these standards and if not, replace the device with a compatible one.
Incorrect Formatting
Wrongly formatting your SD card can damage your SD card’s file system and prevent your machine from reading the card. The correct way to format your SD card is to launch the finder, click applications, double click to enter utilities and disk utility, click on your SD card and erase. This should make your card readable and usable. However, formatting means all your previous data will be wiped out.