What Does SD Card Unmounted Mean and How to Fix It: A Comprehensive Guide [2023]

Do you need help where your SD card appears to be unmounted? Do you know what does SD card unmounted means? Unmounted SD cards have had their data connection to the device severed and eliminated from the storage pool without being physically removed. Any software, files, films, recordings, or other information on the card is no longer accessible. 

In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of an unmounted SD card, how to fix the issue, and how to properly unmount your SD card.

What Does SD Card Unmounted Mean?

SD card unmounted means that the device has disconnected the data connection to the SD card and removed the SD card from its storage pool without physically removing it.

This action makes access to any programs, images, videos, audio recordings, or other data on the card unavailable. The most common reasons to remove an SD card are security concerns and the need to free up the CPU for other duties.

Contrast that with removing the SD card, which leaves the SD card and all of the data undamaged but prevents access until the card is replaced.

Why Does The SD Card Show As Unmounted?

The following are some of the possible causes of an unmounted SD card:

• The SD card will lose its data connection to the device if it is physically removed from it without first properly removing it.
• The SD card was taken out of the device due to a mistake that it may have experienced.
• The device cannot read the SD card because it is corrupted or damaged.
• The device’s operating system has been updated or formatted, which makes it forget about the previously installed SD card.
• The device’s card slot does not have the SD card correctly positioned or inserted.
• The device or the current operating system version is incompatible with the SD card.
• The device does not recognize the SD card because of a bug or a hardware issue.
• The SD card reader on the device or the device’s software drivers is broken.

How To Fix SD Card Unmounted Issue?

If you are facing an SD card not mounting issue, below are some solutions you can try.

01. Make Sure the SD Card is in NTFS Format

Check your SD card’s format and ensure it is in NTFS format. If not, you can convert it to NTFS format using a tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard.

02. Run the Windows Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, and then enter msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic.
• Select your SD card device according to the instructions then let Windows 10’s hardware and device troubleshooter identify and resolve any issues.

03. Verify SD Card Flaws and Faulty Sectors

• By pressing Windows + R, typing cmd, and pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter, you may open an elevated Command Prompt.
• To access the elevated Command Prompt in Windows 10 click Yes on the UAC popup.
• With the SD card drive letter in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r. For instance, if your SD card’s drive letter is E, you should execute the command chkdsk e: /f /r and press Enter to inspect and correct problems on the SD card.

04. Upgrade the SD Card Reader Driver

• By pressing Windows + X and choosing Device Manager, you may access Device Manager.
• Expand the Disk drives category, then select Update driver from the context menu when right-clicking the target SD card device.
• Try the SD card on another device to see if it works if none of these fixes work. If it still doesn’t function, it may be necessary to replace the SD card because it may be corrupted or damaged.

How Can You Determine If Your SD Card Is Mounted?

You can do the following steps to see if your SD card is mounted:

Step 01: Open the “Settings” menu on your device.

Step 02: Find the “Storage” menu item.

Step 03: Find the “SD card” area under “Storage” in step three.

Step 04: A list of accessible files and folders on your SD card should appear if it has been mounted.

Step 05: You can also come across certain read-only documents that are not editable.

Step 06: Files created by apps or software that were not made on your phone will be listed, but you might not be able to open them.

Is Data Lost When You Unmount An SD Card?

Depending on the circumstances, unmounting an SD could cause data loss. You won’t lose any data if you correctly remove the card using the right software or your device’s ‘eject’ or ‘unmount’ option.

However, the data on the card could be lost in whole or in part if it is forcibly removed.

Always follow the right steps when removing an SD card to prevent data loss, and back up any crucial data before doing so in case something goes wrong.

How To Properly Unmount Your SD Card?

The steps to properly unmount your SD card are as follows:

Step 01: Save and close any open files on the SD card.

Step 02: Go to the settings on your device and search for the SD card unmount or eject option.

Step 03: Select the SD card to unmount or eject option.

Step 04: Wait for the device to alert you that removing the SD card is secure.

Step 05: Remove the SD card from the gadget with care.

The SD card must be carefully unmounted to reduce the chance of data loss. Follow the correct steps to avoid damaging the card or corrupting the data when you remove the card. Therefore, it is always advised to adopt the proper technique while unmounting the SD card and to back up any crucial information first.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, what does SD card unmounted mean? An unmounted SD card indicates that the device’s data connection has been severed, leaving any data on the card inaccessible. An SD card may appear unmounted for several reasons, including corruption, damage, and device incompatibility. 

Fortunately, there are workarounds for the SD card unmounted problem, such as switching to NTFS, using the hardware and device troubleshooter, and updating the SD card reader driver. To prevent data loss, the SD card must be correctly unmounted. 

When removing the card, take the proper precautions to prevent corruption of the data or damage to the card, and make a backup of any important data first. Always use the correct method while unmounting the SD card because removing it brusquely can result in data loss.

FAQ

Should my SD card be mounted or unmounted?

The SD card is readable by the device and enables it to work seamlessly with its software and processes. On the other hand, you need to unmount the SD card before removing it from the device.

Will mounting an SD card delete everything?

No, mounting the SD card does not delete any data on it. However, if your device does not recognize the SD card, you may need to format it, which will erase all data stored on it.

What happens when SD card unmount?

When you unmount the SD card, it simply stops being displayed on your device. This action does not delete any data or information stored on the SD card. However, it is essential to unmount the SD card properly before removing it from your device to prevent any data loss. Some applications may store information on the SD card, so unmounting the card improperly can cause issues with those apps.