Surface Pro 4 Does not Recognize Micro SD Card

I have been having this problem where the SD card is not recognized in my Surface Pro 4.  I've tried the card in my Surface 3 and a Dell laptop and it works just fine.  Sometimes the card drive shows on "This PC" and I can access files, but it eventually just goes away.  This is very noticeable when I play a video stored on the SD card. I've tried many things to fix, to no avail.  I'm hoping the card slot is not defective since the SP 4 is out of warranty.

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Can you try a different microSD card and see if you have the same issue?
 
please run
 
winver
 
and reply with the build number and OS version shown
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Barb, I've tried different cards with the same result. I've also gone into the UEFI and turned the SD card slot off and rebooted, then I turn it back on and reboot again. The card and slot will work for a while, but after a short time it will not show in 
"My PC". The cards work fine on other computers. I think this is some kind of driver issue and not a hardware issue base on my UEFI test.  I've also made sure all USB drivers are up to date. Maybe it's time for a new Surface, but I'm waiting for Surface Pro 7. Note, I'm an Insider on build 18865, but this problem has been going on long before this build.

Thanks,

Bill

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> Note, I'm an Insider on build 18865, but this problem has been going on long before this build.
 
do you mean on other Insider builds prior to 18865? Did you have this issue on
1809? you should file a complete problem report using the Feedback Hub and also
post this in the Insider Forum.
 
The only way to rule out software/drivers for certain is to use a downloadable
recovery image and go back to a production build and update to 1809.
Instructions below. Let us know if you have this issue after reimaging. If yes,
then it would point to a hardware issue and you would need an exchange.
 
 
 
(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly) 
and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB USB stick
formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer). Use FULL format and not quick format.
Give the volume a name like surfboot.
Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the formatted USB stick and then-
 
To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:
Step 1:    Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in (hold down the power
button for 30 seconds).
Step 2:     Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.
Step 3:    Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the
power button on your Surface.
Step 4:     When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.
Step 5:    When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
Step 6:     Select Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.
If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of the
screen.
Step 7:     Select the target operating system you wish to reset. This
refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.
Step 8:    Select Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, select Next.
Step 9:     Choose Just remove my files.
Step 10:    Select Reset.
Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process continues
(this can take a while).
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Barb, I've tried other cards and experienced the same problem.  I'm on Skip Ahead Build 18865.1000, Version 1903.  Note I had the same issue with 1803. I could back up and go back to production build, but that seems extreme.  I'll post to Feedback on this issue.

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Ok, I can try this, but it will have to wait till the weekend.  I can tell you I did have the issue with 1809, but I finally just got so annoyed with this issue I posted it to the community. This is after I did a lot of research on the internet and tried different Micro SD cards. Thank you for your help.

Bill

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Windows did a big upgrade 2 days ago now my sd card on surface pro 4 does not work get the following error in Device Manager under USB it shows as an unknown USB device failed to restart then after a while it says compliance mode. Turned off and on the slot in bios. I know the unknown USB device is the sd card slot because when I deactivate in bios it goes away. Also, the error reads with or without the card in the slot. It's not the card either tried others. This is a big issue for me, can Microsoft get this fixed asap, please

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I got that upgrade on Thursday for a bunch of driver updates.  I'm on Skip Ahead build 18865, and the problem with SD Card was not fixed with the updates.  I spent most of today re-imaging my Surface Pro 4 to the 1803 build (1809 was not available for download), per Barbara Bowman's instructions.  So far the SD Card is working, but I have not given it a lot of testing.  Even on build 18865 the SD card worked sometimes. I'll see what happens Sunday when I can test it more. I'm hoping this is just bad drivers and the problem can be fixed with an update.  I made an image of my drive with build 18865 and most likely with go back to it in a few days.  I just don't want to reload all my programs and apps.  I will also post this problem through the Feedback Hub.  

Out of curiosity, what build are you on and did you try going back to an earlier build?

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>Windows did a big upgrade 2 days ago
 
which update?
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Barb,

I re-imaged my Surface Pro 4 first to the 1703 release and then to the 1803 release through windows update.  I've tested the SD Card opening videos and pictures I have stored on it and it has not failed, yet.  At this point, it looks like a software issue causing the problem I had on the 19H1 and 20H1 builds. Note I was not able to download the 1809 release and test that.  However, I'm sure I had the SD Card issue through my testing on the Fast Ring.  I did go to the Feedback Hub and found that many Surface owners are experiencing problems with the SD card.  I did not see a reply from Microsoft regarding this issue.  It looks like It's the USB Mass Storage Device driver that could be causing the problem.  In regards to the "Big Update" a couple of days ago, the Michael alluded to, it was a driver and UEFI update for Surface 4.  I've attached a screenshot of what was updated.  I'm glad it's not a hardware/mechanical issue, however, I hope Microsoft can figure this out for us Surface owners.  I may reload the image for my 20H1 build and hope the driver issued is fixed soon.  Thanks for your help. Bill

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Bill,
Can you please share a link here to the problem report YOU created in the
Feedback Hub so I can try to alert an internal contact?
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Last updated May 13, 2023 Views 3,972 Applies to: