Surface Book 3 card reader stopped working - any help?

Question

after one of the windows 11 updates the card reader stopped working. I have checked the cards on another computer and they work fine. Any help?

Answer 1

Hello Reverend Rod,

Thanks for reaching Microsoft Community. We're sorry to hear about this issue on your device.

Were you trying to connect to the USB port on your device? When did this issue start? Were there any changes made on the system settings prior this issue happen?

In the meantime, please try these methods and check if issue persists or not:

1. Force a shut down and restart your Surface. It resets the hardware and clears all the cache and memory for your hardware.
2. Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit and check for Windows Update. Ensure all pending updates are installed.
3. Manually install drivers and firmware for Surface
   • Check what is the current OS Build of your Windows version by typing winveron the search barnear the Windows logo.
   • Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface**,**choose (your Surface model) then click Download.
     Choose the .msi file closest to your current OS Build and click Next.
     After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart.
4. Run the System File Checker in Windows (microsoft.com).

I hope this helps. Feel free to respond on this thread to let us know how it goes.

Best regards,

StevenK

Answer 2

Thanks for all the great answers. Yes, the forced shutdown fixed the problem. It is important to stress that a "restart" (which I tried multiple times) did NOT fix the problem. I needed a total shutdown, with a minute or so before I started the computer again. THAT fixed it. Thanks again. I will keep your other suggestions as they are excellent tips. To answer the questions you asked: "Were you trying to connect to the USB port on your device?" ---No, just the card reader. "When did this issue start? Were there any changes made on the system settings prior to this issue happening?" - No changes to the system settings. The reader failed to work right after an update (from Microsoft) install and restart.

It is working now and many thanks for the time and attention you have given me with your response. Very nice!

Answer 3

Hey Steven, I do have one question about the "manual install drivers...." The link ( Download driver and firmware for Surface) takes me to a place that only offers downloads for windows 10 operating systems. I have Windows 11. What should I choose?

Thanks,

Rod

Answer 4

I'm very glad that the issue was fixed, Reverend Rod.

Regarding the drivers and firmware for your device, you have nothing to worry as there is already available for Windows 11. Go to Download Surface Book 3 Drivers and Firmware from Official Microsoft Download Center and download the .msi file SurfaceBook3_Win11_22000_22.011.8582.0.msi.

Best wishes,

StevenK