Solved USB card reader suddenly stopped working - your advice?


Snail

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I have a USB card reader to transfer pictures from my camera to my laptop (see photo). The last time I used it, the transfer speed was a very satisfying 600-700 MB/second. When I plug it in today, my laptop is not able to access any photos, I just get a message saying "Insert disk in USB device D".

I have not made any changes to the card, the reader or my laptop. My laptop is able to access the photos on the card through an USB cable to my camera, but this is a much slower method.

Do you have any advice?

I run Windows 11 Pro, 25H2.

Usb-läsare.webp
 

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HP
Have you confirmed the reader works on another pc?

If not, the reader probably needs replacing.
 

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I've tried it right now, and it works perfectly with another PC.

Can I restart/reconfigure my USB settings somehow?
 

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Physically examine CF Card reader contacts for damage, misplacements. Clean the contacts very carefully.
Likewise with the USB-C plugs/sockets.
Rotate USB-C plugs 180 deg. they should work both orientations but sometimes not. Use another USB port if you have one.

Device Manager > Uninstall device. Restart, plug in again and it should install driver again, maybe Device Manager > scan for hardware changes.

If that lot fails then maybe you need a new Card Reader, although that seems unlikely as it works on another PC.
 

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Since the reader worked fine with another laptop (same card, same cables) I'll try the Device manager.

I will be back soon!
 

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Did you try a simple restart of your pc?

Restart not shutdown and back on.
 

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Restart didn't help - and neither did uninstalling anything USB-related from the Device manager.

Do you have any further advice ? The card reader is brand new, it worked fine just a few days ago, and works with another laptop.
 

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OS
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Computer type
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Well, now it works! After reinstalling the USB drivers, I tried flipping the USB cable 180 degrees, and this time I can access the photos. Shouldn't these things be a little more simple to use?

Thanks for all the answers; I'll mark this discussion as solved.
 

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And now the same thing happened again! Do I really need to uninstall all USB drivers every day?
 

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OS
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