MicroSD card randomly unmounts itself

Anonymous
2015-05-29T17:26:43+00:00

I inserted a Samsung EVo 128GB micros-SD card into my new Surface 3, intending to use it as photo storage for my photography workflow.

However, after a fee minutes - even without using it - the drive appears to unmounts itself. It's still visible in Explorer, but clicking it results in Explorer hanging and eventually giving the error "please insert a disk" after several minutes. In Disk Manager, the drive sometimes appears, with the correct amount of space, but indicates it's all unallocated.

This issue is fixed temporarily by removing and reinserting the disk, but a short time later it unmounts itself again. I tried the disk in my older Dell Venue 8 Pro, but the issue didn't occur there.

I've looked at previous threads about similar issues on older and Pro models, and tried setting the policy for the microSD drive to 'better performance' and even tried setting up a VHD, but none of these provided a solution.

Does anyone know what I can do?

Surface | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

56 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-05T16:27:58+00:00

    Have had my Surface 3 for about a week. Installed a new Samsung EVO 128gb card and am having the same problem. Tried, tape, format both exFat and NTFS, changed policy with no luck.

    Chatted online with MS tech support. From shut down they had me do what they called a Forced Restart, holding down the power button and volume up button at the same time. The tech assured me that would fix the problem and, of course, it didn't.

    A second chat with them and they offered to replace the Surface. This card worked on my Dell laptop with an SD card adapter with no issues. It would seem that this is an issue with the Surface hardware but it also seems doubtful that a new one will fix the problem. Despite liking the Surface I am leaning towards getting something other than a Surface.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Barb Bowman 80,815 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-12-05T17:14:11+00:00

    Have had my Surface 3 for about a week. Installed a new Samsung EVO 128gb card and am having the same problem. Tried, tape, format both exFat and NTFS, changed policy with no luck.

    Chatted online with MS tech support. From shut down they had me do what they called a Forced Restart, holding down the power button and volume up button at the same time. The tech assured me that would fix the problem and, of course, it didn't.

    A second chat with them and they offered to replace the Surface. This card worked on my Dell laptop with an SD card adapter with no issues. It would seem that this is an issue with the Surface hardware but it also seems doubtful that a new one will fix the problem. Despite liking the Surface I am leaning towards getting something other than a Surface.

    I've had a Surface 3 LTE since November 17. I've tried 3 different 128GB Micro SD cards and all of them have the same issue. I've tried Samsung Evo, Sandisk, and Sony. They all go missing. They all work in my SP3. ALL 64GB micro SD cards I've tried stay mounted.

    I'm not interested in replacing my S3 either.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-05T17:51:35+00:00

    You really just have to love customer service and I should add that there is no such thing anymore.

    Tried to reach the local MS store to see if they had a replacement in stock but was routed to the national tech support and never spoke with anyone at the local store. We managed to turn this into a 40 minute phone call. As usual they don't seem to understand English or don't listen, not sure which. They try all the same solutions that have already been tried and then tell me they will replace it but now must go through a mail process and that I can't take it to the MS store since I didn't buy it there. This despite being told the exact opposite just last evening.

    After reading the comments regarding this issue across several forums it would appear to be a common problem and would seem to be either a driver issue or device issue and not a card problem.

    Luckily, I bought it at Costco with a 90 day return policy so looks like I will be shopping for another brand. It is a shame as I really do like the Surface.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Barb Bowman 80,815 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-12-05T18:13:32+00:00

    Where is your local MS Store? They should help you even if you purchased elsewhere.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-12-05T18:51:13+00:00

    Thanks Barb. We are visiting near Scottsdale, AZ for a few weeks. I will try stopping there before I give up on this but it certainly seems that this is a common problem so I suspect I may very well end up with a new Surface that has the very same problem.

    I have seen this issue commented on going back for at least a year. One would think that MS is aware of the issue and it would be nice if they would let us know if they have any idea as to the cause and/or possible fix.

    I really need to use the 128gb card. Plus, I have seen others commenting that they have had the same issue with 64gb and 32gb cards from a variety of makers.

    I could take the card back as I still have a few days to return it but I just can't see how it could be the card when it works in other devices.

    Jim

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments