Nikon "This Card Cannot Be Read": 4 Easy Fixes to Try

Why is My Nikon Camera Not Reading Memory Card?

Many Nikon users are startled when they see the dreaded warning: "This card cannot be read (or used)". When this happens, it will prevent your camera from reading the memory card and accessing the photos and videos stored on it. If your Nikon camera suddenly fails to recognize your memory card, it usually points to corruption, formatting issues, or even physical damage to the card.

Understanding the common reasons of the "this card cannot be read" error on Nikon camera can help you not only fix the error but also prevent future data loss. From these causes, you might be able to find a way to fix this issue.

💾Memory Card Incompatibility

Some older Nikon models may not support high-capacity SDXC cards or cards above a certain speed class. Using an unsupported card can trigger this error.

🔌Improper Card Insertion

If the SD card is not fully or properly inserted into the slot, the camera may fail to detect the card.

📂File System Errors or Corruption

A memory card with corrupted file structures, often due to improper ejection or interrupted transfers, can become unreadable by Nikon cameras.

🧿Physical Damage to the Card

Bent, cracked, or scratched SD cards or worn-out connectors can prevent proper communication with the camera.

🔔Dust or Debris on the Contacts

Even tiny dust particles or oxidation on the card’s metal contacts may cause detection errors.

📌Card Not Formatted for Nikon

A memory card formatted on another device (like a PC or different brand camera) may not match Nikon’s file system requirements.

📷Camera Firmware Issues

Outdated firmware may fail to properly read newer memory cards, leading to compatibility errors.

How to Recover Data from an Unreadable Memory Card

Before attempting to fix the "Nikon this card cannot be read" error, it’s wise to recover your data first. Repair or formatting methods might erase files permanently, so safeguarding your photos and videos should be the priority. MyRecover is a professional hard drive data recovery tool designed to handle unreadable or formatted SD cards. It can help you recover data from various camera memory cards, such as Canon memory card, Olympus, and Fujifilm, etc.

Key benefits of MyRecover

✅Supports all major card brands, including Samsung, SanDisk, Lexar, and Kingston.

✅Recovers RAW formats like NEF, CR2, RAF, ARW, and video files.

✅Dual scan modes: Quick Scan for speed, Deep Scan for thorough recovery.

✅Advanced deep scan for NTFS/FAT32/exFAT drives with higher success rate.

✅Handle 500+ Data Loss Scenarios like recovering from deleted partition, formatted hard drive, emptied Recycle Bin, system crash, virus attack, etc.

✅Works on Windows 10/11 and supports recovery from both internal and external drives.

4 Steps to Recover Data from Nikon Memory Card

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store. Remove the camera memory card and connect it to your computer.

Step 2. Run the program and select the memory card to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Choose the files you would like to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a safe location to save the recovered files.

Once the process is completed, you'll see the message "Files have been recovered successfully". Then you can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or "Browse" button.

How to Fix Nikon "This Card Cannot be Read" Issue

Once your data is recovered, you can try repairing the card with several reliable methods. This section provides 4 methods to help you solve this problem and make your memory card usable again.

Check the Card

If the memory card is not properly connected or is not supported by your Nikon camera, it will not be recognized by the camera. Checking the connection status and compatibility of the memory card is the simplest and most effective method.

• Take the SD card out of your camera and put it back again, making sure the insert direction is corrected.
• Check Nikon's official memory card compatibility charts to ensure the SD card you're using is approved for your Nikon camera.
• Remove the SD card and gently wipe its contacts with a soft, dry cloth. Ensure no dust from the cloth remains on the contacts.

You can also try to insert it into another camera or computer. If it works elsewhere, the issue may lie in your Nikon camera’s slot.

Run the CHKDSK Command

As mentioned earlier, the corrupted file system is one of the reasons causing the memory card cannot be used on Nikon. You can use CHKDSK command to repair it.

Step 1. Connect your memory card to your PC.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt and run it as administrator.

Step 3. Enter the following command "chkdsk G: /f /r" and press "Enter". Replace the drive letter "G" with your actual drive letter. It will automatically scan and repair the detected errors.

Update the Nikon Firmware

Sometimes, the issue arises from outdated firmware not supporting the memory card’s format. You can follow these steps to update Nikon firmware.

Step 1. Go to Nikon’s official support page, download the latest firmware for your camera model.

Step 2. Connect the memory card to your computer and copy the latest firmware to the memory card.

Step 3. Insert the card to camera and navigate to "Menu" > "Setup Menu" > "Firmware version".

Step 4. Select "Update" to start the process.

Format the Card

If none of the above methods work, formatting may be the last resort. However, this will immediately erase all data on the SD card, so it's best to recover or back up all files on the card first. Even if you didn't do that, you can still use MyRecover to recover data from a formatted SD card.

Step 1. Insert the memory card into your computer.

Step 2. Open "Disk Management" and locate the drive.

Step 3. Right click on it and choose "Format".

Step 4. Choose a file system based on your needs and check the "Perform a quick format" option, then click "Start" to begin the process.

The End

Facing the "Nikon this card cannot be read" warning can be frustrating, especially when your captured memories are at risk. The good news is that with professional data recovery tools like MyRecover, you can rescue your photos and videos. Then you can try above fixes to repair the error.

For photographers who need advanced recovery, the MyRecover's Professional edition offers unlimited recovery and the ability to preview files. It even supports recovering data from unbootable systems, ideal for professionals managing large volumes of Nikon RAW files.