SD Card Not Detected in DJI? 10 Fixes That Actually Work

When your DJI drone refuses to read your SD card, it doesn’t just delay your flight—it can cause data loss, failed recordings, and app crashes. Whether you’re using the DJI Mini 4 Pro, Mavic 3, Air 3, or any recent model, SD card issues remain one of the most common hardware-related problems in 2025.

Over the past year, we’ve seen a sharp increase in drone users reporting messages like “SD card not detected,” “Cannot record,” or experiencing the DJI Fly app crashing or freezing on startup. These issues often trace back to improperly formatted cards, compatibility problems, or file system errors.

This guide is written from a real technician’s perspective, not vague advice. If you’ve seen terms like “DJI SD card format exFAT”, or you’re troubleshooting why your DJI Fly won’t open after inserting a card, this article will walk you through every proven, up-to-date solution for 2025.

Common SD Card Errors in DJI Drones

When your DJI drone has trouble recognizing the SD card, you may encounter one or more of the following messages or issues:

• “SD card not detected”
• “Cannot record. Insert SD card.”
• DJI Fly app fails to open or crashes immediately
• Black screen on DJI Fly’s camera view or live feed

These errors are commonly reported across DJI Mini, Mavic, and Air series drones. In 2025, they’re most often caused by one of the following:

• Unsupported SD card format (such as FAT32 instead of exFAT)
• Incompatible SD card type (non-U3 or off-brand cards)
• Corrupted file system or hidden partitions
• Outdated DJI Fly app or drone firmware

If you’re seeing these issues repeatedly—especially after inserting a new card or updating the app—it’s a strong indicator of a format mismatch or hardware-to-software conflict related to storage.

How to Fix DJI Fly Not Opening After SD Card Insert

Format the SD Card to exFAT (Do Not Use FAT32)

One of the most frequent reasons DJI drones don’t recognize SD cards is due to the wrong file system format. Many users unknowingly use FAT32, which causes DJI Fly app crashes, recording limits, and read errors.

• exFAT supports files larger than 4GB — essential for 4K, HDR, and long flight recordings.
• DJI officially recommends exFAT for all modern drones including Mini 4 Pro, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Pro.
• Formatting via PC or macOS ensures correct block allocation and removes corrupt partitions.

How to Format to exFAT on Windows 11/10 (2025):

1. Insert the SD card using a USB 3.0 card reader.
2. Go to This PC → Right-click the SD card → Format.
3. Under “File System,” choose exFAT.
4. Uncheck Quick Format (optional but safer).
5. Click Start.

On macOS (Sonoma or Ventura):

1. Open Disk Utility.
2. Select the SD card → Click Erase.
3. Choose:

   • Format: exFAT

   • Scheme: GUID Partition Map

4. Click Erase and wait.

Note: Always eject the card safely. Using Android phones or third-party apps to format the SD card often defaults to FAT32 or introduces partition errors.

Format the SD Card Inside the Drone

DJI drones come with a built-in formatting feature that ensures the SD card is initialized in the exact structure the drone expects. This is one of the safest ways to prepare your SD card before recording.

1. Power on your drone and remote.
2. Launch the DJI Fly app on your phone.
3. Enter Camera View.
4. Tap the ••• icon (upper-right) → Go to Storage.
5. Select SD Card > Tap Format.

Formatting inside the drone minimizes compatibility issues and also removes hidden files or corrupt data that Windows/macOS may miss.

Use Only DJI-Approved, High-Speed SD Cards

By 2025, DJI has increased its reliance on high-speed storage for features like 4K/120fps, D-Log M color profiles, and advanced HDR. Cards not meeting the required speed class (U3/V30 or above) often fail, leading to the “DJI Not Reading SD Card” problem.

Minimum Requirements:

• Speed Class: U3 / V30 or higher
• Type: microSDHC or microSDXC
• Capacity: 32GB–512GB (avoid 1TB+ on Mini drones)

DJI-Recommended SD Cards:

Avoid no-brand cards or fake SD cards from marketplaces — many appear to be 128GB or 256GB but only store 8–16GB in reality, causing file corruption and DJI Fly failures.

Clean the SD Card Slot and Pins (Physical Fix)

This is a frequently overlooked cause. After repeated use, drone SD card contacts or slots may accumulate dust, oxidation, or minor wear, disrupting the electrical connection.

1. Power off your DJI drone completely.
2. Use a manual air blower (not canned air) to blow out dust from the card slot.
3. Gently clean the card’s metal contacts with a microfiber cloth dampened with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
4. Let dry completely before reinserting.

Never use metallic tools or cotton swabs inside the card slot, as they may damage the contact pins.

Update Your Drone Firmware and DJI Fly App

Firmware and app mismatches are known to cause storage errors and app crashes, especially after iOS or Android updates.

1. Power on your drone and remote controller.
2. Launch the DJI Fly app.
3. If a firmware update is available, the app will prompt you.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to update both drone and controller.

Firmware versions released in 2025 (like v01.00.0800 for Mini 4 Pro) specifically address SD card read/write stability and app startup errors.

Update the DJI Fly App:

• iOS 18 / iPhone 15 and newer: Download from DJI’s official site, not the App Store.
• Android 14+: Use DJI’s website or install via DJI Assistant 2.

Running an outdated DJI Fly app is a known trigger for errors like “DJI Fly won’t open” when an SD card is inserted.

Scan the SD Card for Hidden Partitions or Errors

Sometimes the SD card contains hidden partitions (left by Android or other apps), which DJI drones can’t read correctly.

Use These Tools:

• AOMEI Partition Assistant (2025 version)
• MiniTool Partition Wizard Free

Steps:

1. Insert the SD card into your PC.
2. Open the tool and locate your SD card.
3. Delete all existing partitions.
4. Create a single primary partition and format it as exFAT.
5. Apply and safely eject.

This clears corrupted boot records, fixes “RAW” file systems, and ensures the card is usable by DJI systems.

Test a Different SD Card or Card Reader

If you’ve tried everything and the drone still can’t read your card, it could be the card itself — or even your reader.

• Use a brand-new, U3-rated microSD card (32–128GB for compatibility).
• Try another USB 3.0 card reader (older readers may fail with high-speed cards).
• Insert the same SD card into another DJI drone or GoPro — if it works there, your original drone may need servicing.

Avoid using old, slow SD cards even if they “seem” to work — they often fail mid-recording.

Factory Reset the DJI Drone (Advanced)

A corrupted internal system may prevent DJI drones from accessing SD cards, even if the cards are correctly formatted.

1. Connect your drone to your PC via USB-C.
2. Launch DJI Assistant 2 (Consumer Drones Series).
3. Select your device → Click Factory Reset.
4. Reinstall firmware and calibrate IMU/compass if prompted.
5. Insert freshly formatted exFAT SD card.

Caution: This will erase all custom settings, flight logs, and internal error logs. Only do this as a last resort.

Switch from Internal Storage to SD Card Manually

Newer DJI drones like the Mavic 3 Pro Cine come with built-in SSD storage. If the drone defaults to internal memory, it may ignore or fail to mount the SD card.

1. Go to Camera View in DJI Fly.
2. Tap the settings icon (•••).
3. Navigate to Storage.
4. Switch the recording destination to SD Card manually.

This prevents the drone from attempting to record internally when SD card usage is preferred.

Recover or Reformat a Non-Detecting SD Card

Sometimes, after a crash or improper ejection, your SD card may stop mounting on both the drone and the computer.

• Open Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
• If the card shows as “RAW” or “Unallocated,” it needs formatting.
• Use chkdsk /f X: (replace X with drive letter) to attempt recovery.
• If that fails: reformat using exFAT, as outlined earlier.

If multiple recovery tools fail, the SD card is likely permanently corrupted. Replace it with a DJI-recommended model.

FAQs

1. What SD card format does DJI require?

DJI drones require SD cards formatted in exFAT for proper compatibility. FAT32 is not recommended, as it limits individual file size to 4GB and often leads to DJI Fly crashes or “SD card not detected” errors. Formatting in exFAT ensures smooth 4K/60fps recording and full card capacity usage.

2. Why does my DJI Fly app crash after inserting an SD card?

This usually happens when the SD card has a corrupted file system, unsupported format (like FAT32), or hidden partitions. The app tries to read from the card and fails, causing it to crash. Formatting the SD card to exFAT using Windows, macOS, or directly inside the drone typically resolves this issue.

3. Can I use a 1TB microSD card in my DJI drone?

Only certain DJI models like the Mavic 3 Pro officially support 1TB SD cards. Most entry-level drones such as the DJI Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro are optimized for cards between 32GB and 512GB. Using 1TB cards in unsupported models may cause read errors or slow performance. Always consult DJI’s official compatibility list before using high-capacity storage.

Conclusion

If your DJI drone is not reading the SD card, it’s almost always due to formatting errors, incompatible card types, or firmware issues. In 2025, with DJI drones relying heavily on high-speed data throughput for features like 4K HDR, proper formatting (exFAT), and card quality are non-negotiable.

Stick to U3/V30-rated microSD cards from trusted brands like SanDisk, Lexar, or Samsung. Always format using PC, macOS, or inside the drone itself, and keep your DJI Fly app and firmware up to date.

If you’ve followed every fix and your card is still not recognized, it’s time to test a different SD card or perform a full reset via DJI Assistant. Ignoring these issues risks failed recordings, corrupted footage, or worse — an in-flight failure.

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