Realtek SD card Reader

[Andywork2004]

My laptop SD card eader appears to have ceased function. I have uninstalled/reinstalled several times and nothing works. On Device manager it says the device is working properly. I have a number of micro sd cards and adapters none of which work. Literally nothing happens when they are entered. When purchased from new, the SD card reader worked perfectly fine and as I only had 128gb ssd laptop I used a 128gb SD card to effectively double my storage capacity, which is why it's a key feature for me. Any suggestions? Any help would be really appreciated.

[Raj_05]

Hi @Andywork2004,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If the SD card reader on your HP laptop has stopped functioning and reinstalling the drivers has not resolved the issue, here are some troubleshooting steps to try.

Check SD Card and Adapter Compatibility

• Test SD Cards on Another Device: Verify that your SD cards and adapters are functioning properly by testing them in another computer or device.
• Try a Different Adapter: If you're using a microSD card with an adapter, the adapter itself could be faulty.

Update or Roll Back Drivers

• Update Drivers:
  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers or Memory Technology Devices (where the card reader might appear).
  3. Right-click the SD card reader and choose Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Roll Back Drivers:
  If the problem began after a recent Windows or driver update:
  1. In Device Manager, right-click the card reader and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver (if available).

Ensure Proper Functioning of Ports

• Power Cycle the Laptop: Fully shut down the laptop, disconnect all peripherals, unplug the power cable, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to clear residual power.
• Check for Dust or Obstruction: Ensure there is no dirt or debris in the SD card slot.
• Test in BIOS or Safe Mode: See if the SD card is recognized in the BIOS setup or in Windows Safe Mode to rule out software issues.

Test on Another Operating System

If possible, boot into a live Linux OS (like Ubuntu) from a USB stick and check if the SD card reader works. This helps determine if the issue is with Windows or the hardware itself.

Reconfigure Windows Settings

• Disk Management:
  1. Insert the SD card and open Disk Management (type diskmgmt.msc in the Start menu search).
  2. Check if the SD card is detected here but not assigned a drive letter. If detected:
     • Right-click the card and select Change Drive Letter and Paths to assign a letter.
• Windows Services:
  Ensure the Shell Hardware Detection service is running:
  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Find Shell Hardware Detection, right-click, and choose Start or Restart.

[Raj_05]

BIOS/UEFI Update

Outdated firmware might cause compatibility issues with hardware. Check HP's support site for your laptop model and install any available BIOS/UEFI updates.

Use an External Card Reader

If none of the above works, consider purchasing a USB card reader as a workaround. They're inexpensive and can restore SD card functionality.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support