How to Fix Flight Controller SD Card Errors

I. Symptoms

When using the ArduPilot flight controller, Mission Planner or OSD may display the following error message:

This type of error indicates that the flight controller has not detected the SD card, causing the logging function to fail, which may affect flight controller data recording and the use of certain functions.

II. Cause Analysis

1. SD card not inserted into flight controller

• Some Pixhawk series flight controllers require a MicroSD card as the default logging storage device. If the SD card is not inserted, an error will occur.
  2. SD card damaged or unrecognized
• The SD card may have file system corruption or physical damage, preventing the flight controller from reading it properly.
  3. Incorrectly configured parameters
• By default, the flight controller's logging storage is set to SD card storage. If there is no SD card, the logging function must be manually disabled.
  4. Poor contact with SD card
• There may be contact issues with the flight controller's SD card slot, causing intermittent recognition failures.
  5. Incorrect memory card format
• INAV requires the Micro SD card type to be SDSC (Standard) or SDHC (High Capacity); SDXC (Extended Capacity, which is the type of many high-speed U3 cards) is not supported.
• Any SD card smaller than 32GB can be used, but INAV firmware can only recognize up to 4GB.
• It must be formatted using the FAT16 or FAT32 (recommended) format.

III. Solutions

1. SD card is usable
Method: Format SD Card

• Remove the SD card and insert it into a card reader connected to the computer.
• Right-click the SD card → Select "Format".
  
• Select File System as FAT32, then click "Start".
  
• After formatting is complete, reinsert the SD card into the flight controller.
  2. SD card is unusable/damaged
  Method: Modify Parameters
  If you do not use the SD card for logging, you can manually disable the logging function to avoid errors.
  

Important

After modification, the flight controller will no longer attempt to log data and will no longer display the "No SD Card" error.

IV. Verification

• Enter the ground control station to check if there are still memory card error messages.

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