Nintendo Switch SD Card Not Detected? microSD Card Reader Repair Guide

If your Nintendo Switch won’t recognize a microSD card, or a card that used to work suddenly stops showing up, the console’s SD card reader may be broken. In this video from our YouTube channel, we repair a Switch with this problem by replacing its SD card reader.

Watch on YouTube: Nintendo Switch SD Card Not Detected: Card Reader Repair

Symptoms

  • The Switch doesn’t detect or recognize the microSD card
  • A microSD card stops working in the Switch
  • The SD card reader is visibly broken

Likely causes

  • A broken or failed SD card reader inside the console. That’s the part this video replaces.
  • The card itself. Before blaming the console, try the card in another device or try a different card in the Switch.

What the repair involves

The video shows the repair this way:

  1. Diagnose the Switch with the SD card problem.
  2. Replace the SD card reader in the console.
  3. Test the console with a microSD card.

Watch the video for the full disassembly and replacement on the bench.

Parts involved

  • Replacement Nintendo Switch microSD card reader

When to send it in

Send it in if a known-good microSD card isn’t detected, or the card slot is physically damaged. Reaching the card reader means taking the Switch apart.

FAQ

How do I know if it’s the card or the Switch?

Test the microSD card in another device and try a different card in the Switch. If no card works in the Switch, the reader is the likely problem.

Will I lose the data on my SD card?

This repair replaces the reader in the console, not the card. Keep your card with you, or remove it before you ship the console.

How long does the repair take?

Mail-in repairs take 3–5 days, and repairs at our Lincoln store take 3–5 days.

Get your Nintendo Switch repaired

Don’t want to open it yourself? Game Repair Shop, the repair side of Gamers, can do it for you.

  • Mail-in repair: ship it to us. Diagnosis is free, and if it can’t be repaired the only charge is a $40 fee. Turnaround is 3–5 days. See how mail-in repair works.
  • Lincoln, NE: walk-ins are welcome at the Gamers store, 2711 King Ln Ste 202, Lincoln, NE. There’s a $25 diagnostic fee up front, and it goes toward the repair. Turnaround is 3–5 days.
  • Omaha: our Omaha store is opening soon.

Questions? Call or text (402) 703-4403, 10 AM–9 PM every day.

More on this repair: Nintendo Switch and Joy-Con repair · Browse all repair guides.