EOS Rebel T3i says Card's Write Protect Switch is set to lock --- but it definitely is not!

[scott30575]

My Rebel EOS T3i is less than a year old, and for the most part of this almost-a-year, has worked quite well. Two problems have recently arisen:

1) The first problem arose around a month ago, when I noticed that the memory cards stopped "popping out" of the camera. Sometimes they do, but most of the time they do not. I often have to manually pull them out with a pair of tweezers.

2)  Two days ago I started receiving the message:  CARD'S WRITE PROTECT SWITCH IS SET TO LOCK. Accordingly, I am now unable to use my camera. Until two days ago, in the past almost-a-year, I had never received this message before.

The memory card is a top-of-the-line 32GB ScanDisk, and the lock switch is definitely NOT set on lock.  I have also tried two other memory cards, and always receive the same message, even when I have "double-checked" that the lock switch is not set on locked.

Therefore, I am led to believe the problem is with the camera, not with these memory cards.

What can the problem be, for both of these issues? What can be done to resolve these issues without taking the camera to a repair shop.

This camera has been gently handled and used since first purchases. Nothing other than a memory card has been inserted into the memory card opening. And, as mentioned, until about a month ago the memory cards I have used "popped out" instantly. Now they tend to become stuck inside, as often they do not pop right out when depressed.

It would seem to me that I should not be having these problems with this relatively new camera --- don't you agree?

Thanks for any assistance.

Scott Kinney

Atlanta, Georgia

[Graybeard763]

I just had the same problem, read all the replies on the thread. Looked for debris in the slot but found none. Finally I tried just holding the card in as far as it would go and turned the camera on while pushing it in and that worked. So far has been working since.

[JojoYoder]

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@TCampbell wrote:

Scott,

Sounds like something is jammed in the SD card slot.  

The "write protect" switch on the edge of yoru SD card isn't actually electronic... it's just a tab.  Inside the card slot, there's a sensor that detects which position the switch is in.  If anything is blocking it, it can think the tab is in the lock position when it's really not locked.  I believe the sensor is mechanical (it uses a micro-swtich to tell if it can slide into the notch... or not.)

Eject the card, take a tiny light and shine it in the slot to see if there's some debris in it (I'm embarrased to admit that when I got my first DSLR, I inserted an SD card "backward" and broke some of the plastic "fins" near the contacts... then learned that some of the plastic material was stuck in the slot and I needed to carefully remove it.) 

The card sould be inserted into the camera with the label-side facing the back of the camera.

The fact that, at least for a while, it sounds like your card wouldn't stay in the slot -- suggests that there may be some dirt or debris in that card slot.

If the slot is clear, you may need to send it in for service.

---

Looks like that's the problem for my Canon M50, except they don't use a switch in this model. It's a tiny wire bent to fit into the slot if the card is unlocked, and if it's locked it'll press aganst a pin. Wife jammed the SD card in backwards and it manipulated this wire such that it's depressed againt the pin regardless of the lock position. Such a tiny space I'm not able to fix it.

Sucks, because we've always needed a camera, and we just got this one in December.

[timboyd]

This also happened to my T5i and you are correct in that something quite small most likely was obstructing it.  Even though my card slid in and out without any jamming I attempted to look inside with a flashlight, but could see nothing.  I attempted to blow it out or tap it out, but that did not work either.  I then took a 3x5 inch index card (or card stock paper) and cut a strip about the size of the SD card and stuffed it into and out of the hole several times hoping to dislodge any debris.  This seemed to do the trick and I no longer have any problem.   My guess is accumulation of dust or lint on the SD card that I used once.  I'm happy to taking photos again and it cost me nothing but the time to read this suggestion.   Happy me!  🙂 

[Catseye]

Your little (3X5) card stock trick worked for me almost instantly! My brand new SD card was already in the unlocked position and after attempting to turn it to locked, then back to unlocked, re-insert, inspect the camera SD slot, blow it out with my camera bellow etc., it was your card trick that fixed my problem, God bless you sir!