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What should I do if the advertising display cannot read the USB drive/SD card?

2025-12-03 04:49:27

Have you ever encountered this situation: you’re in a hurry to update the content on your advertising display, but when you insert a USB drive or SD card, the display shows no response at all—either prompting "No device found" or simply displaying nothing?

Don’t jump to the conclusion that the device is broken just yet. In fact, most of the time, the issue lies in small details. Today, we’ll share a step-by-step self-check process, starting with the simplest steps to identify the problem.

First, Try These "Restart Tricks"

Many issues can be resolved with these simple steps.

  1. Reinsert the USB/SD Card:
    Remove the USB drive or SD card, wait a few seconds, and firmly reinsert it to ensure it’s fully connected. Poor contact is often the culprit.

  2. Restart the Advertising Display:
    Power off the display, unplug the power cable, wait one minute, then plug it back in and turn it on. This operation can clear many temporary glitches and is highly effective.

If That Doesn’t Work, Focus on Checking Your USB Drive or SD Card

The problem likely lies here.

  1. Wrong Format—This Is the Most Common Reason!

    • What’s Wrong: Most advertising displays only recognize USB drives formatted in FAT32. If your drive is in NTFS or exFAT format, the display won’t detect it.

    • How to Fix It:

      1. Plug the USB drive into a computer.

      2. Note: This will erase all data on the drive, so back up your files first!

      3. Right-click the drive letter, select "Format."

      4. Under "File System," choose FAT32, then click "Start."

      5. Once formatted, copy your ad files back onto the drive and test it again.

  2. The USB Drive Itself May Be Faulty

    • Capacity Too Large: Some older advertising displays don’t support large-capacity USB drives (e.g., over 128GB). Try using a smaller drive, such as 16GB or 32GB.

    • Damaged Drive: Low-quality or worn-out USB drives are prone to failure. The easiest way to check is to try a reliable, brand-name USB drive. This will quickly tell you if the problem is with the original drive.

  3. Check the Contacts
    Inspect the metal connectors on the USB drive or SD card for dirt or oxidation. Gently clean them with a dry cloth or an eraser.

Finally, Check the Files and the Device Itself

If the USB drive works on your computer but not on the advertising display, consider the following:

  1. Incompatible Ad Files

    • Unsupported Format: Ensure your video or image formats are supported by the advertising display (e.g., .mp4, .jpg). Check the user manual for supported formats.

    • Complex File/Folder Names: Avoid using Chinese characters or special symbols (e.g., @, #, %, &) in file or folder names. Stick to simple English letters and numbers.

    • Virus Infection: Scan the USB drive for viruses on your computer, as malware can sometimes interfere with functionality.

  2. The Advertising Display May Need a "Reset"
    If all else fails, try finding the "Restore Factory Settings" option in the display’s settings menu.

    Important Reminder: This will erase all your playback settings and restore the device to its original state. Proceed with caution.

Your Self-Check Checklist

Follow this sequence, and you’ll likely resolve the issue:

✅ Restart First: Restart the advertising display and reinsert the USB drive.
✅ Try a Different USB Drive: Use a reliable, smaller-capacity drive to determine if the issue is with the original drive.
✅ Check the Format: Ensure the USB drive is formatted as FAT32.
✅ Check the Files: Are the file formats correct? Are the names too complex?
✅ Clean the Connectors: Wipe the metal contacts on the USB drive or SD card.

If You’ve Tried Everything and It Still Doesn’t Work...

The issue may be a hardware fault with the advertising display’s USB port or motherboard. Do not attempt to disassemble the device yourself.

Feel free to contact us anytime:

  • Call our service hotline: 400-6988-985

  • Visit our official website to contact online support

When reaching out, please provide the specific model of your advertising display and the type of USB drive you’re using. This will help us assist you more efficiently.

"This article is part of the 'Advertising Machine FAQ' series. If you are experiencing other issues, such as unresponsive touch screens, black screens, etc., feel free to visit our [Advertising Machine Common Problems and Solutions (FAQ) Center | Ultimate Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide] for quick answers."

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