How can I troubleshoot a Nikon D5200 that shows an SD card error with every card?
Asked 3/10/2015
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2 answers
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My Nikon D5200 displays: "This memory card cannot be used. Card may be damaged. Insert another card" with every card I try. I have tested the cards in another camera and they work there. I also followed Nikon’s basic reset steps, including removing the battery/card/lens, resetting settings, and checking the slot-empty release option, but the SD card error remains. The camera will take pictures without a card in demo mode. Before paying for service, what troubleshooting steps are worth trying for a D5200 that rejects all cards?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
5
Here are some suggestions as to how to approach your problem:
- Clean out the contacts within the card slot, if dirty — This can be done using compressed air, or very gentle work with pliers or q-tips with some cleaning alcohol based detergent
- Try smaller and/or slower sd-cards — sd-cards comes in different classes/sizes, your camera might have difficulties with the classes/sizes you've tried so far
- Upgrade firmware of camera — This is a long shot, but you could possibly have an issue with the firmware/software on your camera accessing the sd-cards, and thusly an upgrade could cure it
- Reformat cards on a different platform — If possible reformat one of the sd-cards using the camera (if possible), or a different camera, or on a different computer
- Insert the card at another time — You've most likely tried this already, but if you previously inserted card before turning on camera, try inserting it afterwards, or vice versa
Originally by user10832. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user10832
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If multiple known-good cards fail in the D5200, first rule out formatting and contact issues before assuming the card slot is bad.
Try these steps:
- Format a card with the official SD Association formatter from sdcard.org, not the standard Windows formatter.
- If possible, try a smaller/slower SD card that is known to be compatible with the D5200.
- If you’re using a microSD card in an adapter, replace the adapter or use a full-size SD card instead.
- Inspect and gently clean the card-slot contacts using compressed air; if needed, very careful cleaning may help.
- Check for a camera firmware update.
Because every card gives the same error, the most likely causes are:
- card formatting/adapter incompatibility, or
- a dirty, damaged, or failing SD card slot/contact assembly.
If proper formatting, a different full-size SD card, and careful cleaning do not help, the problem is likely hardware-related and may require professional repair.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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