There are a number of possibilities why your SD card might not be working for your Ford navigation, from making sure that you’ve installed it correctly to updating your maps. There are also a number of errors that can pop up with pretty easy fixes.
Proper Installation
One of the biggest reasons that an SD card doesn’t work in your navigation console is due to improperly putting it in or failing to purchase updates. Of course, you could just be putting your SD card in the wrong way or not putting it in far enough.
Keep it Clean
It might seem pretty obvious, but a lot of times, the simplest answer is the right one. In this case, that means making sure that your SD card is clean. While you should be careful, use a clean cloth like one for lenses and wipe it off.
On the other hand, there could be dust or a buildup of something in the SD card slot itself. Air canisters are designed for cleaning technology, so use the straw attachment and blow out any debris.
Make Sure Your SD Card Has Updated Maps
Most of the time, cleaning will work, but if it’s still not working, you might need to update your navigation information or the SD card. Sometimes an update will take up too much space or need better software and the easy answer is to get a better SD card with more space.
There are pretty frequent updates to the navigation maps that will need updating. To do this, simply go to the Ford website and select the model of your current Ford vehicle. Buy the update you want and it should download onto your SD card.
If you find yourself wondering why you have to pay for the updated maps, keep in mind that there’s a lot of money and resources that go into Ford being able to know all of the streets, buildings, and the millions of other small changes that take place every year.
Put it in correctly
Maybe it’s dark when you’re trying to install your SD card or you just weren’t paying attention, but it’s a common mistake to put it on upside down. Make sure you put it in with the arrow facing the console slot.
The other simple installation error is not pushing it in far enough or the card somehow becoming loose. Either way, be gentle but firm until you hear a click that means your card is locked in place. Most of the time, you’ll see an error message if it’s dislodged or not all the way.
Common Error Messages
As a result of these factors, your SD card may not be working in the navigation console of your Ford vehicle, and you may still see some errors on your display.Aside from proper installation, frequent issues involve updates and confusion with reading the card.
Choose the Right Model
A simple user error comes when purchasing the map updates, because some people accidentally buy them for the wrong model vehicle. Before getting the update, know your Ford model and application number of your vehicle.
This number can be found under the “system info” tab on your console, if you have trouble finding it. These will guarantee your updates are specific to the model and make of your vehicle.
Double Check Installation
It was mentioned above, but since the most common problems seem to involve installation, it bears repeating. Make sure that you put your SD card in the right slot with the arrow facing the console and check the amount of memory it has against the required space for updates.
The System Doesn’t Read Your Card
Once again, the simplest answer is usually correct, so first you should try to clean off the card and use an air canister to clean out the interior of your SD slot. However, some drivers have reported a different software issue.
In rare instances, the display continues to put up the “insert SD card” message or “no card detected” with the SD card installed correctly and functioning. After being ejected, the display then gives an error message.
If that’s the case for your navigation experience, there’s really not much you can do except take it to a dealership and get your navigation console a master reset. This should fix the software of your vehicle’s navigation.
Summary
Incorrectly installing your SD card, failing to keep your navigation maps updated via the Ford website, and inputting the wrong information on your vehicle are all reasons that your SD card might not work for your navigation.
While you can clean the card and slot yourself, if your navigation console has a display error or is misreading the SD card, the only thing you can do is take it to the dealership for a reset of the software. Hopefully, these will solve your problem and make your next trip easier to navigate!
Hi, I hope this article was helpful to you. If you've ever owned a car before, it's inevitable that you will deal with your fair share of car issues. I know I have, and that's why my passion is to research common car questions and answer them.
- 10w20 vs 10w30: Which Is Better? - June 14, 2022
- Clay Bar vs Rubbing Compound: Which Is Better? - June 14, 2022
- BG 44K vs Techron: Which Is Better? - June 14, 2022
