What is the reason why the car cannot read the SD card?

[LaJeffrey]

It may be due to dirt on the metal area of the SD card. Below is the relevant introduction: Car-mounted: The so-called car-mounted refers to products specifically designed for use in cars, making them convenient for use while the car is in motion. The most common examples include car-mounted MP3, MP4, GPS, car-mounted DVD, car-mounted hard drive, car-mounted power supply, car-mounted refrigerator, car-mounted massager, car-mounted computer, car-mounted TV, car-mounted hard drive, car-mounted air purifier, car-mounted USB video recorder, etc. Car navigation: In recent years, the development of car navigation systems has been very rapid. Currently, people can not only choose a navigation system as an optional configuration when purchasing a new car but also install the device on an existing car. You can even configure a portable satellite navigation system, placing it in whichever car you drive or taking it along for outdoor adventures or mountain climbing.

[StOlivia]

I recently encountered an issue with the SD card not being readable while tinkering with the car's infotainment system, which could stem from multiple causes. Poor quality or physical damage to the SD card itself is common. I tried checking it with a card reader—if it couldn’t be read on a computer, the card was likely faulty. The file system format is also crucial; most car devices require FAT32, so using exFAT or NTFS can cause errors. Reformatting to standard FAT32 often resolved the issue for me. Poor contact in the card slot, due to dust buildup or oxidation, shouldn’t be overlooked either. Regular cleaning of the slot and the card’s metal contacts helped improve connectivity. Compatibility issues are another factor—high-capacity SD cards (e.g., 128GB or larger) or high-speed cards might not be supported by the system, so trying a smaller-capacity card could work. System software bugs can also cause this; updating the car’s firmware sometimes restored normal reading functionality. I recommend regularly backing up data to avoid losing important files if the card fails.

[TimothyLee]

As a regular user, I occasionally find that the SD card in my car can't be read, which is quite common. Usually, it's because the card isn't inserted properly or the slot is dirty. I just pull it out and reinsert it firmly or clean the slot with a cotton swab, and it works again. The SD card format is also crucial—it must be formatted as FAT32. I've tried formatting it on my computer, and then it works fine. If the card capacity is too large, it might cause issues, such as exceeding the car's supported capacity. I switched to a smaller card, 16GB or below, and it worked. Hardware aging or system bugs in the device itself can also affect reading. I usually reset the car's infotainment system by turning off and restarting the car. Environmental factors like humidity can reduce reliability, so I avoid storing the card in high-temperature environments. If the card is damaged, I simply replace it with a new one. Maintaining a habit of regular checks helps prevent issues in advance.

[LeviLynn]

From an experiential perspective, most cases where a car's system can't read an SD card are simple issues. First, check if the SD card is damaged: try reading it with another device to confirm. Format errors are common—FAT32 is the standard, others may be incompatible. Clean the interface if there's poor contact. Cards that are too large in capacity or have high speed ratings may also fail to work; try replacing the card. For software issues like outdated system firmware, an update might be needed. Hardware faults, such as a damaged card slot, require professional inspection. It's advised for car owners to back up data, test first, and then take action to avoid losses.