My Canon EOS suddenly stopped recognizing the SD card, even though it always worked before. I've already taken it in and out several times and restarted the camera, but nothing helps. Could the card be broken or is it the camera?
That's happened to me too - turned out it was actually the card that was slowly dying on me. Try testing the SD card in another device, like on your computer or tablet, then you'll quickly know if the card itself is the problem or if it's really your camera. If the card works in other devices, it could be the card slot on your Canon - in that case I'd try gently wiping the contacts with a dry cloth. If neither of those solutions helps, it could be a hardware defect, but testing with another device should get you sorted pretty fast.
Don't panic and don't format the card multiple times - that can do more harm than good 😅 Before you take the camera in for service, try checking the card slot yourself with a magnifying glass or flashlight to see if there's just dust or crumbs stuck in there blocking the contacts. Sometimes it also helps to gently wipe the contacts on the card itself with a lint-free cloth. If that doesn't work, then you can test the card in another device like I mentioned - but the slot in your camera could also be worn out, especially if you switch the card really often.
Before you write off the card as broken, I'd first check whether something's wrong with the card slot itself. Dirt, a broken cable, or bent contacts are more often the problem than you'd think. Grab a flashlight, look into the slot, and see if the gold contacts look damaged or dirty. If they do, you can carefully clean the contacts with a lint-free cloth and maybe some isopropanol (camera off, obviously).
After that, I'd actually test the card in another device - computer, card reader, or another camera if you have one handy. If the card works fine there, it was probably the slot in your Canon. If it's problematic everywhere, then the card's probably shot. I wouldn't bother with formatting though, as long as you're not sure the card is being recognized in the first place - that won't help.
If the card works in other devices and the slot is clean, a firmware update for your camera might help too. Some Canon models have had issues with certain card types.
The problem is probably with the card slot rather than the card itself - if the card worked fine before, it didn't just suddenly break. Look at the slot with a magnifying glass or good lighting to see if there's dirt, lint, or bent contacts in there. An old toothbrush or a dry cloth can work wonders, but be careful and don't scrub too hard. If that doesn't help, you can still quickly test the card in another device - it takes a minute and gives you peace of mind that it's definitely not the card.
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