Hey all. I seem to have damaged my Micro SD Card Reader as I can’t insert a Micro SD Card into my A1. I’m not exactly sure what happened as I was building a wardrobe and it must have banged into the printer. Anyway as a result I can’t insert a card.
Is this replaceable or is there anything I can try or my machine toast now as I can’t seem to print anything without one.
Welcome to the forum.
Doubled check that you are inserting the SD card the correct way. Are the connection pads facing up or down? They should be facing up. It may be seem counterintuitive.
Yeah, I know about that, I’ve also tried a different card and the card from my A1 Mini. The card only goes in part of the way, I feel something springy but it goes no further than a quarter of the way
If you take the bottom housing off, the motherboard is located on the other side of that SD card slot. You should be able to see if the port is visually damaged, or inspect it closer as you push a card in and out. The mini’s slot is covered by an aluminum heatsink so you may need to remove that too to get a better look.
Thanks so much, It’s getting late here in the UK so I’ll do this tomorrow.
The problem is on my A1, not my A1 Mini so I’m guessing this is the correct guide: Mainboard Replacement Guide - A1 | Bambu Lab Wiki
Is that the Micro SD slot to the very left of the image, a little over halfway down between the 2 holding screws? It has a QR code underneath?
Also is there a link to the main board on the shop page? I can’t seem to find it?
Thanks btw, really useful post that helps a lot.
I think I’ve probably bent something in the slot, I even lost the SD card that was in it (I probably hoovered it up). I’ll inspect it tomorrow so I might be slow to respond in my next post but really thanks.
I don’t think it is available via the store.
Could you have perhaps broken it off and part of the original card is stuck in the slot? Perhaps it’s time for a magnifying glass (or phone camera zoom) to take a close look? SD card holder has red arrow pointed at it.
You can replace the SD card slot with a spare one that you can buy e.g. on AliExpress or eBay.
But the replacement itself is not easy. You can’t do it with a simple soldering iron. You need to have a hot air gun AND some experience with hot air soldering.
I think the only way if the SD card slot is damaged and you can’t replace it yourself, or you don’t know someone who could do it for you, is to replace the complete mainboard.
Not very sustainable but the way to go.
Could you have perhaps broken it off and part of the original card is stuck in the slot?
Looking closely again at my photo I think the memory card has snapped off and is stuck in the slot. Unfortunately I can’t dislodge it, but I’ll try again and if all else fails I’ll take the bottom off and see if I can get it out that way.
Unfortunately I think the slot is probably damaged but I’ll not know until I take the part off and get any remaining card out.
I think the only way if the SD card slot is damaged and you can’t replace it yourself, or you don’t know someone who could do it for you, is to replace the complete mainboard
I’m not great with micro electronics but I’ll ask on Facebook for a repair. Everything else about the machine seems to be fine, it’s showing no other errors other than no micro sd card installed.
I don’t think it is available via the store.
I’ll contact support after I remove anything from the slot, the board replacement doesn’t seem hard so might be a better option if the board isn’t too expensive over a FB repair who will probably charge me close to the price of a board and it still not might work.
If the only thing wrong is that old sd card snapped off in the slot, easy fix, definitely take off your bottom cover to get access to the motherboard. Using care with a pokey stick of your choosing, you should be able to poke it and push the SD corpse out from the other end. You’ll need a new card 
Well I got the broken card out by opening the cover off and using a needle but the bad news is the slot won’t recognise any new cards. I’ve submitted a ticket and asked about a new Motherboard but I’ll ask around on phone repair shops which should be able to replace things like this.
It wasn’t too difficult opening up as everything is colour coded and I’m sure I could replace the motherboard.
Thanks for possible solutions.
Good work… take that, SD card!
Before you give in to mobo replace/physical repairs, one more thing, the SD card needs to be in a correct format
Bambu says FAT32 format is a must, and that in particular if your replacement SD card is above 32gb windows might be trying to make it exFAT. Do a double check on that replacement card, reformat to FAT32, might need to use a downloaded tool not windows proper. If it’s still not recognizing then yeah I think we’re at the end of the troubleshooting line
Yeah, I’ve a Micro SD in my A1 Mini and that isn’t being recognised but I’ll try your suggestion and format a different card.
The worst part is I bought a cheap wardrobe out of Ikea to house my printers - and I’ve got parts missing from that lol. It was building the wardrobe and pressing into the SD card that broke it while I tightened things. This project isn’t going well.
Support got back to me and it’s £52 for a new motherboard with free delivery so I’m well pleased. Checking prices on a phone repair shop I think a repair would cost £30 - £50 and there’s also a chance further damage was caused so it may not work.
Thanks for all the help, | honestly thought my printer may have been toast.
This topic was automatically closed 2 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
