Easy Fix for Dash Cam Not Recognizing SD Card

If your dash cam doesn’t recognize your memory card, it’s typically an easy fix. Before jumping to any conclusions, it’s best to perform the following checks.

Look at Camera Settings

Double-check the settings to ensure the camera is properly configured with the SD card. You should also inspect the SD card itself. Ensure the SD card is free of scratches and other damage. If your dash camera still doesn’t identify the SD card, follow the steps below.

Restart Your Dash Cam

1. Remove the power source and turn the camera’s power switch to OFF.
2. Open SD card slot lid to ensure that the memory card is properly inserted.
3. Now reinsert the battery and turn power ON.

Format SD card

With your dash cam, format the memory card. Certain SD card models can only be formatted on the computer. However, most can be formatted directly from the dash cam interface. Please see our in-depth post on how to format a micro SD card for a dash cam if you don’t know how to do so already.

WARNING: Formatting is a reset to factory defaults. This will delete dash cam recordings and erase all data on the memory card, even emergency footage from a G-Sensor, be sure to backup any important video files. If this doesn’t work you’ll need to test different SD cards.

Some brands like Nexar allow a for a full dash cam reset without formatting the SD card entirely. This is fairly uncommon though because it leads to users accidentally clearing all of the footage on accident.

Test Other Micro SD Cards

We frequently see SD cards that aren’t compatible with certain dash cam models. This is a lot more common in dash cams created overseas. If you own multiple memory cards, test the others in the dash camera.

If your dash camera recognizes a different memory card, the original card may be defective. If other SD cards don’t work either, it’s probably an issue with your dash cam. Follow up with the manufacturer or use one of the software tools mentioned in how to find the remaining life of an SD card.