Fix Windows 10 Realtek Card Reader Not Working

Realtek Card Reader Software is a collection of drivers in which your card driver will enable the system to communicate with the devices. Realtek Card Reader driver is a popular software to access the card reader. This driver package is essentially required for the proper functionality of the card reader, which allows the system to communicate to other external devices. However, you may sometimes face issues like Realtek PCIE Card Reader not working on your PC. So, if you are also facing this issue, then do not worry. This guide will help you fix your Realtek card reader Windows 10 issues. So, continue reading!

Realtek Card Reader Not Working Windows 10

How to Fix Windows 10 Realtek Card Reader Not Working Issue

Do I Need Realtek Card Reader Software?

If you want to use a USB device or an external data card, you need card reader software to operate it. In other words, without software, you may not be able to transfer any data from the external media to your system. This is usually done with the help of Realtek Card Reader.  

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting

Step 1: Try Different USB Ports & Devices

This issue may arise due to a fault in your SD card, SD card reader, USB port, and USB cable. So you should examine all hardware before trying any other solutions.

1. If the issue is caused by the power supply, then try re-inserting the USB device after unplugging the laptop from the power supply.

2. Connect another USB device with the same USB port to determine if there is an issue with the USB port.

3. Plug the USB device into a different port to rule out issues with the USB ports.

usb device ports laptop. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

4. If you are using a USB cable then, try checking for faulty or damaged cables. Replace the USB cable, if it is damaged.

Step 2: Restart PC

You are advised to reboot your system as it often works wonders.

1. Navigate to the Windows Power User menu by pressing Win + X keys simultaneously.

2. Select Shut down or sign out > Restart, as depicted below.

Select Shut down or sign out. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Issues

Method 2: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

There may be issues with the devices and associated hardware resulting in Realtek card reader not working issue in Windows 10 PC. This issue can be solved by running the in-built Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter, as follows:

1. Press Windows  + R keys simultaneously to launch Run Dialog Box.

2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK, as shown.

Press Windows key and R. Type msdt.exe id DeviceDiagnostic command to open hardware and devices troubleshooter and hit the enter key

3. Click Next on the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window.

in the hardware and devices troubleshooter click next

4A. Wait for it to detect problems and then, Click Apply this fix if any.

Apply this fix Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Then, Restart your PC.

4B. However, the following screen will appear if Troubleshooting couldn’t identify the problem. In this case, you can try the remaining fixes listed in this article.

However, the following screen will appear if it could not identify the issue.

Also Read: Fix USB Composite Device can’t work properly with USB 3.0

Method 3: Update/ Rollback Realtek Card Reader Driver

Update the drivers to the latest version or roll back the drivers to the previous version to fix Realtek PCIE Card Reader not working issue.

Method 3A: Update Driver

1. Click on Windows Search Menu and type device manager. Click Open to launch it.

Type Device Manager in the search bar and click Open.

2. Double-click on Memory technology devices to expand it.

3. Now, right-click on the Realtek PCIE CardReader driver and click on Update driver.

Note: The driver name depends upon the Windows version installed on your PC.

update realtek PCIE card reader driver

4. Next, click on Search automatically for drivers options to install the driver automatically.

Now, click on Search automatically for drivers options to locate and install a driver automatically.

5. Click on Close to exit the window and restart the computer.

Method 3B: Roll Back Driver

1. Navigate to Device Manager > Memory technology devices as earlier.

2. Right-click on Realtek PCIE CardReader driver and click on Properties, as shown.

open realtek PCIE cardreader driver properties

3. Switch to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver, as shown highlighted.

4. Click on Yes in the confirmation prompt and then, click on OK to apply this change.

5. Then, restart your PC to make the rollback effective.

Note: If the option to Roll Back Driver is greyed out in your system, it indicates that the driver is not updated.

roll back realtek PCIE cardreader driver. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

Method 4: Update Windows OS

If you did not obtain any fix by the above-mentioned methods, then the system may be filled with bugs. Microsoft releases updates periodically to fix these. Hence, updating Windows OS would help fix Realtek Card Reader not working issue.

1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

2. Now, select Update & Security.

select Update and Security. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

3. Click on Check for updates button as shown highlighted.

Check for updates. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

4A. If there are new updates available, then download & install them.

download and install windows update

4B. If there is no update available, the You’re up to date message will appear.

You’re up to date. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

Also Read: How to Update Realtek HD Audio Drivers in Windows 10

Method 5: Disable Power Saving Option

Often, Power Saving mode enabled through power options continuously disconnects devices connected to your computer. Thereby, causing Realtek PCIE Card Reader not working issue on Windows 10 desktop/laptop.

1. Go to Device Manager > Memory technology devices as instructed in Method 3A.

2. Right-click on Realtek PCIE CardReader driver and click on Properties, as shown.

open realtek PCIE cardreader driver properties

3. Switch to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box marked Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Here, switch to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

4. Finally, click on OK to save the changes and restart your system.

Method 6: Disable Automatic USB Selective Suspend

USB Suspend feature, if enabled, USB hub driver may suspend any individual port without affecting the function of other ports. This feature might help you with portable computers. However, you may sometimes face Realtek PCIE Card Reader not working issue when your system is idle. Thus, disabling it might help.

1. Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar and click Open.

Type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.

2. Select View by > Large icons, and then click Power Options, as shown.

go to the Power Options and click on it. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

3. Here, click on Change plan settings under Selected plan section.

select the Change plan settings.

4. In the Edit Plan Settings window, click Change advanced power settings link shown highlighted.

In the Edit Plan Settings window, click on Change advanced power settings. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

5. Now, double-click USB settings to expand it.

double click on usb settings option in Change advanced power settings window

6. Once again, double-click USB selective suspend setting to expand it, as shown.

double click on usb selective supend settings in usb settings in Change advanced power settings window. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

7. Here, click on On battery and change the setting to Disabled from the drop-down list, as illustrated below.

select on battery settings to disabled in usb selective supend settings in usb settings in Change advanced power settings window

8. Change the setting to Disabled for Plugged in as well.

click Apply then, OK to save changes after disabling usb selective supend settings in usb settings in Change advanced power settings window. Fix Realtek Card Reader Windows 10 Not Working

9. Finally, click on Apply > OK to save these changes.

10. Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

Recommended:

We hope that this helped you fix Realtek PCIE Card Reader not working issue on Windows 10. Leave your queries/suggestions in the comments section below.

1 thought on “Fix Windows 10 Realtek Card Reader Not Working”

  1. On my own I had already tried rebooting, and attempted to update the Realtek PCIE CardReader, but neither had any effect. My PC still didn’t recognize that I’d inserted an SD card at all and the Realtek PCIE CardReader still showed up with the yellow triangle and exclamation point in the device list. I got to “Method 2: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter” and chose to Apply the fix. I restarted, as required. No effect. Moved on to “Method 3: Update/ Rollback Realtek Card Reader Driver” as I had not yet tried rolling back – imagine my surprise when there was no longer a “Memory technology devices” listed much less the Realtek PCIE CardReader that was supposed to be listed under it. Great. The fix was to remove it altogether? I had also tried downloading the driver from the Dell site, but that wasn’t helpful as the device is gone. Now I don’t know what to do.

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