Early 2011 Macbook Pro SD Card Reader Not Reading All Cards

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Level 1

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Early 2011 Macbook Pro SD Card Reader Not Reading All Cards

My MBP is only 5 days old and I'm having trouble with the SD card reader. Seems very selective about what cards it will read. I called apple care and they said that this reader is not compatible with SDHC cards. Only SD and SDXC. I asked if that was an apple implementation because the Secure Digital spec states that SDHC, and SD cards are all backwards compatible with the SDXC readers. They put me on hold to double check their information. When they came back I was told that they contacted an Apple senior technician and that the reader was only compatible with SDXC and SD cards.

This sounds like BS to me considering half the cards this thing is reading are SDHC cards. Is there likely an incompatibility with certain cards? Could this be a software fix?

Macbook Pro (Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 29, 2011 12:11 PM

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Answer 1

emerge3d

Level 1

11 points

Apr 1, 2011 4:56 AM in response to AudioChris

Very interesting and a bit of a let down on Apple's part. I discovered this a few days ago after needing to read an SDHC card in my Mid 2010 15" model.

It appears to be hardware related as cards are readable in Windows 7 via Boot Camp either!

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Answer 2

JLF SC

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Apr 1, 2011 6:31 AM in response to AudioChris

I've posted this response on several other "card reader" threads..

I'm pretty sure this is a Snow Leopard OS X 10.6.7 problem. I tested my card reader on my wife's iMac, which is still using OS X 10.5.8. Thankfully have not upgraded her's to Snow Leopard yet. The card reader with a SanDisk CompactFlash is immediately recognized on the earlier 10.5.8 op system. I ejected and re-inserted the card numerous times.

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Answer 3

emerge3d

Level 1

11 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:06 AM in response to JLF SC

Not the 10.6.7 update at my end.

I mounted the card fine in a 10.6.6 based mid 2010 Mac Mini today. After reading your message I applied the 10.6.7 update and the still card works fine in the Mini.

Going back to my laptop, I purchased a £6.99 SDHC reader at lunchtime which mounts the card. I have read plenty of threads regarding this problem (here & other sites) and it all seems to be with the laptops been very picky with SD cards, especially the SDHC variety.

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Answer 4

JLF SC

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Apr 1, 2011 10:30 AM in response to emerge3d

Thanks for comments. I'm using an iMac. Neither of the 2 USB2.0 card readers I have will currently work on 10.6.7 machine though both work like a charm on iMac w/ 10.5.8

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Answer 5

JLF SC

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 1:39 PM in response to JLF SC

I just received the following helpful URL link from SanDisk tech support.

http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/60

SanDisk responded within 5 hours of my inquiry. After removing all USB devices from my iMac and reinserting the card reader alone, the reader started working again. I ejected it numerous times from USB ports on the iMac as well as from a USB hub. After plugging my other USB devices back in, I have not detected if there was a device which was causing the conflict. As a precaution I have removed USB devices that are only used periodically such as a Colorvision Spyder2Express device used every 30 days or so to color correct my monitor.

Hope this helps others with Mac card reader issues.

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Answer 6

Matt W

Level 1

33 points

Jun 4, 2011 7:59 PM in response to JLF SC

I just fixed all my SD card issues with my 2011 MacBook Pro by formatting the card EXFAT in my 2009 iMac.

MacBook Pro 2011 SD Card Problems

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Answer 7

Dec 31, 2011 3:15 AM in response to AudioChris

Same here, this is bad. I have tried 4 different cards, both SDHC and SD cards none of them worked.

The Sd card showed up and then dissapeared and then back and then gone again. And then finaly not to show up at all.

Honestly this cant be correct, I can buy a **** card reader for a couple of dollars in a store and it reads everyting. Please fix this Apple its emberassing!

/pb

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Answer 8

Dec 31, 2011 3:48 AM in response to AudioChris

I think i fugured it out.

It seems to be some problem with the connectors or some excessive stuff in the card holder.

After fiddeling back and fourth with my 4 different cards, especially after trying out the steps in the you tube video. Suddenly all my cards started working, even if I push them alla the way in.

So start by putting the cards in and out, try doing like in the you tube video, finding the magic distance, even if it is not the same card you can see the distance, kind of.

And them maybe you will be as lucky as I and suddenly it will all start working.

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Answer 9

mlh244

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Jun 13, 2012 11:33 PM in response to PounderBoy

Thank you this worked for me! Fiddled around with it and now it is reading fine.

Weird.

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Answer 10

Dec 20, 2012 10:42 AM in response to PounderBoy

My SD reader was not working at all, I started unplugging and plugging it in quickly and after about 10 seconds it detected the card from one of the attempts, I plugged it in again and it is detecting the card fine.

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Answer 11

edcasher

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2014 6:15 PM in response to AudioChris

Same problem on macbook pro early 2011, fail SD card reader on Mac 😟 need program repair

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Answer 12

AnBat

Level 1

0 points

Jun 11, 2015 11:55 AM in response to AudioChris

Hi, I had the same problem with MacBook Pro Early 2011 and I found the solution here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrJ6jEEbX6w

Bye

AnBat

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Answer 13

Nov 19, 2015 5:28 PM in response to AudioChris

After insert the card in the reader just wait for 15 secs and it will work fine. After first detection the card will be recognized instantly on next try. After Mac OS X reboot you shall repeat the procedure. You can try clearing inside the reader too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGh3jra4ApE

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