SD card problem with the S3

[RedorBluePill]

Guys,

I had the exact same problem. I am using a Sandisk Ultra Class 10 32GB mSD card (loaded with pictures, music, videos, books etc, with only 4GB free space), purchased in Nov-2012. Before I upgraded to this, I was using a Sandisk Class 4 32GB card without any problems since I bought my S3 in Jul-2012.

For the past couple of months, whenever I press the power key, I will see the notification "SD card not found", then immediately, the card is found and everything works as usual.
Then, suddenly yesterday, I got the message "SD card corrupted, reformat?"

Of course I chose 'NO", then I re-booted the phone, and everything works.

This afternoon, the same "SD card corrupted, reformat?" came up and after I chose No, it automatically dismounted my card. Since then, The card cannot be read by my S3, even after I reboot. BUT, when I plug it into my PC, it works.

I started to search the forums and found that a lot of people has the same problem.

==> I just managed to get it to work!

I am not sure if this is the solution, but, after checking the forums, a lot of people are recommending that I format the card to FAT32. So, I backed-up my card, then, on a whim, decided to delete some videos until I have about 7GB free space, and plug it into my S3.

The card was recognized and seems to be working now. When I press the Power key, I no longer the the "SD card not found" message!!

Can it be that if we load the card above a certain amount of space, the S3 starts getting problems with recognizing the card?

Anyway, for the past hour, the card seems to be working fine and my S3 recognizes my Class 10 32GB Sandisk card. Will try for a couple more days and if it still works fine, then, this may be a temporary solution.

Let's see.. Will keep you posted.

Having the exact problem here. Bought an Ultra San Disk 32gb in the US, in October 2012, Made in China, and it worked until some 10-15 days ago when the phone started reporting SD card unrecognizable, need to format, etc. Today it gave me "sd card blank" message and now the phone no longer sees the ext sd card. The phone is from 3 UK, latest Android.

Tried the card reader, it sees the card but wants to format it in order to access, so it is bye bye data. Thanks a lot Samsung (and San Disk). I hope at least after formatting it to FAT32 as advised here I'll be able to use it.

One good thing I noticed is that my Contacts were now opening much faster without the SD card. Before I was really really really frustrated with the slooooooow opening of phone/contacts function, like it usually takes 10 seconds to just reach the contact list. I honestly had an urge to smash it several times. It's a huge fail for a quad-core processor monster phone.

 

[AxlMyk]

READ THIS!!!!
http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...3-samsungs-insane-response-4.html#post2622777

 

[alekos5897]

Hello there!!! the same problem here!! i have my galaxy s3 16gb for 5-6 months!! i bought a micro sd card toshiba sdhc 16 gb class 4!! it worked fine but after 5 months now my s3 says sd removed unexpectally and it doesn"t read the micro sd card now!!! i had music photos everything!the sd card also my computer cannot read it maybe it fried my sdcard like a chicken in a oven!!! any sugestions any help?? i want to buy another sd card, what brand or what class ?? i don t wanna have the same problem again!!! thanks!

 

[KD6FTR]

I've had a SanDisk 32 GB class 4 micro SDHC card in my Verizon Wireless Samsung Galaxy S3 for the past 3 months. Everything was flawless...and then...one day...I started getting the error messages about the card being removed, remounting and finally nothing. I just spent the last 5 minutes in Live Chat on Sandisk's web site. They are going to send me a new card to replace my old one.

Samsung Live Chat was like talking with a robot. However, I was told by the agent that any class of micro SD card was supported by the GS3. See my chat transcript below.

Sandra: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. How may I help you today?
Visitor: Just a quick question regarding which class of micro SD cards a Samsung Galaxy S3 can accept?
Visitor: The web site only shows it can handle up to a 64GB micro SD card. No mention of class limitations.
Sandra: I understand your concern.
Sandra: I should inform you that, you can use class 10 Memory cards on the phone.
Visitor: Are there any limitations to which brands Samsung will accept?
Sandra: No, it will accept no limitations.
Sandra: Please go ahead.
Sandra: Scan disk cards.
Visitor: So a SanDisk, 32GB class 10 card should work without issue?
Sandra: Yes, you are absolutely correct.


I have an idea of what might be causing the problem with the cards failing. I noticed that my GS3 tends to get pretty hot with my OtterBox Commuter series case on it. I think an informal poll should is necessary in order to try to help troubleshoot.

Have you had one, or more, micro sd card failures and have an external protective case on his/her phone?

Anyone have the failures who has never put an external case on his/her phone?

 

[lyndnpnto]

Mine's not an Ultra, and I've still got the same issues, what's really annoying is that the card works perfectly in a Blackberry Curve, why not in a phone which is worth 3 times that much?:-\

 

[lyndnpnto]

Well, I've got a class 10 32GB Sandisk MicroSDHC and I've got the same issue.. I'm on the international variant though..

 

[Jasper Asis]

This is so true!better to hear that theyre trying to fix the problem!its frustrating to hear those things!

 

[and101an]

According to Sandisk support when I talked to them around June, 2013, and all over the Amazon reviews for months, is a known incompatibility between the Sandisk Ultra Micro SD cards (possibly others), and the Galaxy phones (possibly others). The card can "fail" any time from days to many months down the road. Sandisk says that Samsung won't admit it, and so Sandisk created a ROM patch that is applied only during manufacturing, to circumvent the problem.

Contact Sandisk for free replacement. I was told that the new card batch started after March, 2013, but the only way to tell, is based on a small serial number on the card, that requires a magnifying glass, if you can even then read it.

I do not know if other cards from other mfgs are involved, but Sandisk says they have stepped in and solved it on theirs. Good luck!

 

[Jeb Malcolm]

SanDisk card trashed by Galaxy s3. Bought Samsung brand 32 gig sd card at Best Buy. NO MICRO-ADAPTER INCLUDED! Didn't think to check for that, as every single other sd card I have ever purchased included a micro-adapter. Best Buy flummoxed; no separate Samsung adapter available at their store nor from any merchant, even on Amazon. Samsung sd card not recognized by card reader when inserted into other brand adapter. So I can't transfer material with a card reader. Called Samsung customer service.

SAMSUNG CS VERY HELPFUL. OFFERED TO SELL ME A SAMSUNG MICRO ADAPTER FOR $25.

Samsung CS has ignored me since. Doesn't respond to emails.

HEY! SAMSUNG! I NEED AN ADAPTER! HOW ABOUT IT? (From a seriously irritated Samsung customer who would like to be treated better than this.)

 

[and101an]

Do you still have the Sandisk Ultra Micro SD card?

Did you read my post? Contact Sandisk and they will get your bad card from you, and give you a new one (they pay shipping both ways) with the Samsung compatibility fix built in. Surely it will fix the problem. Of course, you can't replace the battery, nor add any memory to the Apple phone, and you can camp out at the Apple store if you have a problem. Just call 1-866-Sandisk (1-866-726-3475) for free replacement. Lifetime warranty. 11A - 10 P ET weekdays.

Maybe Sandisk is at fault, and other high speed cards, just don't know, but Sandisk has responded with a new version after March 2013.
Good luck, and let us know!

Phonarena article (there are otherarticles out now, also)...
SanDisk says it produced some bad 32GB and 64GB microSD cards