How can I tell whether an SD card or my camera is causing “No card in camera” errors?
Asked 12/8/2015
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2 answers
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My camera suddenly started showing “No card in camera.” If I remove the SD card, slide the lock switch to locked, reinsert it, then switch it back to unlocked, the camera recognizes it again for a while. The next day the same thing happened.
How can I diagnose whether the problem is the SD card, the camera’s card slot/contacts, or both? This is my work camera, so I need a reliable fix.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
2
It's most probable that the card has simply failed. Another likely possibility is that the contacts inside the camera need to be cleaned.
The first diagnostic step is to try another card, and if possible, to also try the card you have in another camera.
If the card doesn't work in another camera, and if another card works just fine in your main one, don't lose any sleep — just throw it out and get another. (After, of course, copying any photos off the card that you can — see this question if you have trouble reading the card on a computer.)
If it's the camera, particularly since you use this for work, I suggest a professional repair/cleaning. You might be able to DIY this, but I personally wouldn't consider it worth the hassle.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Start by isolating the problem:
- Try a different SD card in your camera.
- Try the suspect card in another camera or card reader.
If your card fails in other devices but another card works fine in your camera, the SD card is likely failing and should be replaced after recovering any images you can. SD cards do wear out over time.
If multiple good cards have trouble in your camera, the issue is more likely the camera’s card slot or contacts. Dirty or worn contacts can cause intermittent “No card” errors. Since this is a work camera, professional cleaning or repair is the safest option.
Because changing the lock switch affects the behavior, also inspect the card’s write-protect tab. A loose or damaged lock tab can cause detection problems; some people temporarily stabilize it with tape, but that’s only a short-term workaround, not a dependable fix for professional use.
For reliability, test with another known-good card first and replace the card if there’s any doubt.
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