Solved Android Thinks There's an SD Card (There's Not!)

• Moto G 3rd Generation
• XT1548
• Android 5.1.1
• Republic Wireless
• Kernel Version: 3.10.49-g7f2a07b hudsoncm@ilclbld53 #1
• System Version: 23.41.59.osprey_repw.repw.en.US sprint
• Build Number: LPI23.72-59
• SD Card SanDisk Ultra PLUS 32GB Micro SD HC I

My phone suddenly stopped recognizing my SD card. I've removed the card, and my computer can read it just fine. I had a little trouble reformatting the card, but finally got it to reformat (fat32). I was about to stick it back in the phone, when I noticed the phone had a notification: "Blank SD Card", but there was no SD card in it!

I restarted the phone, had the same error message. I then went to settings -> storage, to the SD card section, where I had the option to Mount or Erase SD card.

I tried mounting, got the same error message "Blank SD Card". I tried erasing. It asked for my password, then gave me the option to erase. I clicked the erase option, and it took me right back to the option to erase.

I restarted the phone into safe mode (or whatever it's called, sorry), and cleared the system cache. Restarted the phone. Same error "Blank SD Card". I put my actual SD card into the phone, and tried all the previous steps of Mounting and Erasing. Same outcomes.

Throughout this process, I would also occasinally get an error message stating "SD card safe to remove". Again, Mounting and Erasing did nothing. I would also occaionslly get a notification "Preparing SD card / Checking for errors".

I haven't lost any files from the SD card -- I was able to backup to my computer. I would rather not have to reformat my phone (because settings, etc), but understand I may have to eventually. What I'd really like to avoid is reformatting my phone just to realize that the problem is still present.

I'm convinced it's a phone issue, rather than a card issue, because it's giving me error notifications *even when the SD card is not present*.

What can I do to fix this, and sorry for the wall of text.

 

I have not tried safe mode. I'll do that now, results to be posted momentarily.

i haven't tried a different SD card. I'll try that, but I don't have immediate access to one, so I'll have to hold off.​

Come to think of it, I have not tried reformatting the existing SD card while in the phone, nor the imaginary card in the phone. Only while it was in the computer. I guess I assumed the "Erase SD Card" option would have done that. Dumb mistake. I don't see an option to format, tho', so how do I?

 

With SD Card inserted, Entered Safe Mode

1. No error messages upon boot.
2. Went to to Settings -> Storage
3. All three SD card options are grayed out (Move Media, Mount SD Card, Erase SD Card)
4. Immediately removed SD card and replaced it (Should have waited between steps, sorry, didn't!)
5. Notification "Checking SD Card / Checking for errors"
6. Wait
7. Notification "SD card safe to remove / You can safely remove SD card."
8. Two of the three options are now available (Mount SD card & Erase SD card)
9. Selected Mount SD Card
10. Notification "Blank SD card. / SD card is blank or has unsupported filesystem."
11. Selected "Erase SD card"
12. Confirmed "ERASE SD CARD"
13. Put in passcode
14. Confirmed "ERASE EVERYTHING"
15. Bounced back to the settings screen, notification "Blank SD card / SD card is blank or has unsupported filesystem."
16. Removed SD Card.
17. Options to Mount or Erase are still available.
18. Mounting leads to "Blank SD Card"
19. Erasing leads me to the same endless circle as above.

With SD Card removed, Entered Safe Mode

1. No error messages upon boot
2. Went to Settings -> Storage
3. All three options grayed out.
4. Inserted SD Card
5. Notification "Preparing SD card / Checking for errors"
6. Wait
7. Notification "SD card safe to remove / You can safely remove SD card."
8. Two of the three options are now available (Mount SD card & Erase SD card)
9. Same as above, two options available.

With the variable of safe mode, and the clarification of both of these methods not having any errors until after I inserted (or removed and inserted) the SD card, I'm hedging more toward an SD card issue than a phone issue. Thoughts on that?

 

If one of my coworkers has an SD card with stuff on it, what's the best way to troubleshoot without hurting their own information?​

 

I did a chkdsk on my windows computer somewhere along the way, as well. Crashed at 81% every time but one, in which it got to 100% without any errors and gave me all the info. I didn't do the /r parameter, tho', I think I did /f maybe? What's the difference, should I try again?

As an aside to all this, is it possible that my phone runs BETTER without the SD card in it?

I've only ever used the phone with that SD card in it, and it's just been annoying unresponsive pretty much all the time. I blamed it on being a third-tier provider and a cheap phone. But now that I don't have the SD card in there, everything seems to be working much faster! Even after reinstalling most (all?) of the apps onto main memory.

Does it even work this way?!

 

I won't be able to live with myself without figuring out what's wrong, first. But, knowing that, I may go without an SD card to see if the speediness holds up. Or maybe -- again, let me know if I'm thinking wrong -- I'll get a smaller SD card and just put music/podcasts/etc on it, and keep all the apps on the internal storage.