Garmin Express does not recognize microSD card

While larger cards are known to have worked it's not guaranteed and Garmin themselves only recommend cards up to 8Gb

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={18331ce0-4af6-11e3-f27b-000000000000}

Whichever card you use it needs to be formatted FAT32. Ensure yours is, and if it's still not recognised try another card.

Having said all that note that only the internal memory is shown in Express, it doesn't poll the sd card, but should use it if necessary for map updates. I've suggested that Express should identify the card, and can't see why this hasn't yet been implemented as the current system causes much confusion.

While larger cards are known to have worked it's not guaranteed and Garmin themselves only recommend cards up to 8Gb

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={18331ce0-4af6-11e3-f27b-000000000000}

Whichever card you use it needs to be formatted FAT32. Ensure yours is, and if it's still not recognised try another card.

Having said all that note that only the internal memory is shown in Express, it doesn't poll the sd card, but should use it if necessary for map updates. I've suggested that Express should identify the card, and can't see why this hasn't yet been implemented as the current system causes much confusion.

I agree since Express tells you to add an SD card; or at least that is the msg I get on the nuvi 550. Why tell me to add a card when it won't recognize the card is there.

scrubjay76

Garmin Express will use your memory card if there is not enough space for a map update. It will not show as available space on the device page because that is only a display of the internal memory of your Garmin device. If Garmin Express is not detecting your memory card when updating your maps, please follow the instructions in the FAQ below:
Why won't the map update applications recognize the SD card?

SUSSAMB is correct about 8GB cards being the maximum capacity card that we recommend using.

Jason

Jason,
Unfortunately Garmin Express 4.4.2 on a Gateway running Win 7 will not let you install all of map set 2015.20 to a Nuvi 550 with an 8 GB Toshiba micro SD card.
It forces you to choose some what less like the lower 49 option.

For me the only option was to use Mapinstall 4.0.4 which loaded to entire 2015.20 map set in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Mapinstall only reported 4 GB of the 7 plus GB that WinCmd reported for the Toshiba card.

Bottom line is Mapinstall works and is simple to use. It may be plain Jane but for an old school electronics engineer and programmer like myself the KISS principal really works here.

It has helped restore my faith in the Garmin line.

scrubjay76

I am sorry. I was referring to the BMW Navigator V. Garmin Express will not ask for a memory card for a nuvi 550 because it is an older device that does not support the SD card feature. If you would like to install maps to a memory card on the nuvi 550, you will need to refer to the FAQ below:
What do I do if my device doesn't support the SD card feature during the Garmin Express map update?

Jason