topic Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

namesiwharas — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 02:05:35 GMT

Hello. I've had a T4i for over two years now. The camera has been completely unusable for more than 6 months beause it won't read any SD card I insert. I keep getting an error that says: card cannot be accessed. Reinsert/change card or format card with camera. However, I have tried multiple cards and when I attempt to reformat I get this error: Cannot format. Change Card. I'm at my wits end and really can't afford to repair the camera. Is there anything else I can do?

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

TCampbell — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 16:54:46 GMT

Have you physically looked in the slot to see if there's some debris inside?

SD cards have tiny plastic fins between each gold contact at the end of the card. The fins make it difficult for something to short across two hold contacts (e.g. if you stick the card in your pocket and there also happens to be some coins in your pocket.

HOWEVER... I have seen these fins get damaged if the card is inserted the wrong way (e.g. label facing front of camera instead of back of camera). It makes a bit of a mess and some of the bits of plastic can get stuck in slot.

If anything is preventing the contact pins in the slot from being able to make contact with the card, you'd probably get this error. If you do see anything stuck inside and it doesn't want to fall out on it's own with a few taps, then you might use something non-conductive (like a tooth-pick) to see if you can work it free. Be gentle.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

Mykolas — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:05:18 GMT

Hi namesiwharas!

If what Tim suggested does not resolve the issue, the camera will need to be repaired. To start the repair process, you'll need to complete a Repair Request on our website.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

mark2ther — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 01:16:17 GMT

I had this same problem a while ago. It was still under warranty and I sent it in, but they made me pay for it anyway. Now it has happened again. I have hardly used the camera in between these two failures - obviously there's some problem with it. I can't imagine spending another $300 to get it repaired again just to see it fail a few months later. I am really upset with Canon and can't see myself ever buying another Canon camera again after this.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

ebiggs1 — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:09:15 GMT

If it is just a few months, your "warranty" paid repair is probably still under warranty. IMHO, $300 bucks to repair a T4i is ridiculous. You should be furious.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

mark2ther — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 15:34:56 GMT

I should correct myself. I was so upset about my camera not working that I posted before double checking the details. The first time, the SD card wouldn't lock into the slot, whereas this time it does but the camera won't recognize any of the cards I tried to put in it (so it's not the exact same problem). I had it repaired in February, so perhaps it was more than just "a few months." And they only charged me $200, not $300, to fix it. Nevertheless, they should have repaired it for free the first time, and the fact that the same part is failing again does not inspire confidence in the product or the customer support.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

maximvsv — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 17:04:27 GMT

I have a variation on this. My T4i will only work with one specific microSD adapter card. It will not work with any full size SDcard. It will not work with a microSD card in another adapter. The adapter is from SanDisk, and no other SanDisk microSD adapter will work. But every microSD card put into this specific SanDisk adapter will work. The firmware in the body is not out of date. I went through a settings refresh. I tried formatting cards in the body and formatting working cards on a computer or in other Canon bodies. I can't see any debris in the card slot, and nothing on the working adapter indicates that a contact is out of place or corroded. What could cause something like that?

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:07:31 GMT

That makes no sense and without having it in hand it will be impossible to diagnose it. It will be up to you whether to repair it or replace it. Repair will likely be as much or more than a good working used T4i. There is nothing special about a SanDisk microSD adapter. Also micro SD cards are not recommend to be used in any Rebel camera at all.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

maximvsv — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:54:02 GMT

I agree that it doesn't make sense. But that's the situation. And I am not about to take this Sandisk adapter apart to see how it is different from other Sandisk adapters.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

Waddizzle — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:23:01 GMT

What are the capacities of the micro-SD cards you are trying to use with the T4i?

The T4i is not compatible SDXC memory cards, which are 64GB and larger. You need to SD or SDHC memory cards, 32GB or smaller.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

maximvsv — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 20:38:17 GMT

I did try one 64GB and 128GB, just to see whether they would even register. I have tried cards from 2GB to 32GB, and full size SDcards and microSD cards with adapters. Just as a stroke of luck, I had one 16GB Sandisk Ultra A1 98MB/s microSD card with adapter that I tried in the camera, and it worked. Afterward, I put that same microSD card into a different adapter (four different adapters, actually, including two other Sandisk brand adapters), and it did not work. I put it back into the original adapter, and it worked again. I put other microSD cards into the original Sandisk adapter from the 16GB card, and the other microSD cards worked. When I tried those microSD cards in other adapters, they did not work. I got a duplicate 16GB Sandisk Ultra A1 98MB/s microSD card with adapter, and that did not work. I swapped the duplicate 16GB Sandisk Ultra A1 98MB/s microSD card into the original Sandisk adapter, and then it worked with the camera.

So far, it really is only this one adapter that will work with the camera.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

ebiggs1 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:11:54 GMT

"So far, it really is only this one adapter that will work with the camera."

Perhaps that adapter wrecked something in the T4i and that why they are not recommended for use. The bottom line is micro SD cards offer nothing in benefit and are a source of problems even when they are working.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:51:50 GMT

“So far, it really is only this one adapter that will work with the camera.”.

That pretty much sums up the issue. Doesn’t it? Micro-SD cards and adapters are problem. They are not recommended for use in Canon DSLRs.

You need to stick to using full-size SD cards with a maximum capacity of 32GB.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

maximvsv — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:04:12 GMT

For this specific body, full size cards still won't work.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

Lotus7 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:58:39 GMT

maximvsv: "...and full size SDcards..."

Presuming that the full sized cards you tried were 32 MB or smaller (SDHD), the problem is apparently not simply related to the use of micro adapters.

Since you have had mechanical issues in the past (the cards not locking in place) there is a possibility that a contact, or contacts in the card socket have been mechanically damaged.

Alternately, there is an electronic problem in the camera, but that diagnosis is complicated because you are finding that you can use a Micro-SD card in the one Sandisk specific adapter. It's possible the adapter that works may have contacts that are slightly thicker than nominal for SD cards so makes contact while other "in spec" cards cannot. Externally, after all, SD cards and SD adapters are molded plastic parts and will have physical variations in mechanical specs.

The issue, and danger of using micro cards in an adapter is two-fold which is why it is not a recommended solution. First, it introduces an additional set of tiny contacts in all of the signal paths, and second, depending on how well the particular micro card fits in the particular adapter, may result in a total combination thickness that is outside of the nominal expected specification.

Using a mix of different brand micro cards in different brand adapters is risky and it's certainly possible that inserting an adapter with a tight-fitting micro card which was not full seated could damage the SD card socket's fragile contacts.

If after trying another full-sized SDHD card from a major manufacturer like SanDisk, Lexar, ProGrade or Sony, the card is still not recognized, than the camera will need to be serviced by a competent shop. Don't be surprised if they need to replace the card socket assembly.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

Waddizzle — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:46:50 GMT

@maximvsv wrote:
For this specific body, full size cards still won't work.

I assume that you are saying that full size SD cards, 32GB or smaller, do not work with this camera body. If you have a card reader, try formatting one using a Windows PC. Once formatted try to see if the camera accepts it.

If the above test fails, then it is likely that your card reader port in the camera is physically compromised in some way. If one card works, then it is safe to assume that the electronics are good. Check the slot carefully under a bright light for foreign debris within the card slot.

Due to the age of this camera body, I am uncertain if it is worth repairing.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

maximvsv — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:23:21 GMT

I formatted cards in the T4i body, on computers and in other cameras. The full size cards have ranged from 2GB-32GB. The microSD cards ranged from 8GB-32GB. The body will not format the full size cards at all, and it will only format the microSD cards if they are in that one Sandisk adapter.

Re: T4i Isn't accepting any memory card.

ebiggs1 — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:43:31 GMT

I really doubt the internals of the T4i are damaged. If they were the micro-SD adapter would not work either. It uses the very same pins. The issue comes with the addition of unnecessary extra contacts and their associated problems.

If the micro-SD adapter is working just go ahead and use it which makes no sense.

Don't take it out. Use the USB to u/l to your computer. Otherwise repair or you may need to buy another camera.