How to Fix DJI Drone SD Card Malfunction Code 10023?

As advanced as your DJI drone’s camera might be, it means nothing if there’s an issue with the sd card that stores photos and video footage. Perhaps you recently fired up your drone and noticed an SD card malfunction error code 10023. It’s critical to address this issue to ensure your drone can capture that awesome content. But don’t worry—we can help.

What is DJI SD Card malfunction Error?

If you see a warning message saying SD card malfunction. Change card (Code: 10023), which means something goes wrong with your microSD card or drone. Normally, this error code 10023 can be caused by the following:

• The drone’s firmware is not current

• The SD card doesn’t fit in the slot properly

• The SD card is not compatible with the drone

• The SD card is corrupted

Without a functioning SD card that can store visual data, a drone is largely useless. If you are having trouble with this issue, just keep reading; we will discuss the troubleshooting steps for the error code 10023 in detail.

 

Troubleshooting DJI SD Card Malfunction Code 10023

Though small, the SD card is a critical component when it comes to drone operation. Without it, you can still fly the drone, but there will not be a disk in which you can store the content you capture (sure, some drones have a built-in storage disk, but the capacity is generally limited).

Now, without further ado, we will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to resolve this error code. Each step discussed is the respective solution to the culprits listed earlier.

1. Ensure Firmware is Current

A lot of drone issues can be traced back to faulty firmware. DJI will occasionally release new firmware for each drone as bugs and issues with the current firmware are discovered. 

So, before you do anything else, launch your drone’s mobile application, and verify that the drone is operating on the latest firmware. If not, go ahead and update it. DJI Assistant 2 is a good program through which you can update your equipment’s firmware.

If a firmware update resolved the issue, then you are good to go! But if the issue persists, proceed with the following steps. 

 

2. Check the SD Card for a Proper Fit and Clean the Slot if Needed

You can potentially get this error code if your SD card does not fit in the slot properly. Ensure that the card is properly inserted. Remember, once the card is in the slot as far as it can go, you should be able to release it, and it should be locked securely in place until you press in on it to release it.

Debris in the slot could also be preventing the SD card from making a good connection with the metal connection points within the slot. If you suspect that debris could be hindering successful contact, blow some air into the slot to clear it.

 

3. Ensure You Are Using a DJI-Approved SD Card

Not all SD cards are created equal; some brands are simply better than others. Brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Kingston are great options. In fact, these are three SD card brands that DJI sells online. You can also find the DJI Recommended SD cards all here:

• DJI Mini 3 Pro SD card list
• DJI Air 2S and Mavic Air 2 SD card list
• Mavic 3 Series SD card list
• DJI Mini 2 and Mavic Mini SD card list

 

4. Fix Corrupted SD Card

SD cards can be corrupted—in simple terms, this means that they can develop a fault that prevents them from operating normally. The process to fix a corrupted SD card will vary depending on the computer/operating system. We will discuss the steps to do so both on a Mac and on Windows.

Mac

1. Insert the SD card into the slot in the computer.
2. Launch “Disk Utility.”
3. Select the SD card from the panel of the lefthand side of the screen.
4. Click the “Erase” button.
5. Name the card and choose the desired format.
6. Click “Done” when the process is complete.

Windows

1. Click on the search bar on the bottom lefthand part of the screen.
2. Type “Command Prompt” into the search bar.
3. Click “Run as administrator.”
4. Once the box appears, type the following, ensuring that you replace the “X” with the SD card’s letter: chkdsk X: /f
5. Wait for the process to finish.

 

5. Contact DJI for Service

If the aforementioned troubleshooting steps were not successful, your last resort is to contact DJI and have your drone inspected and repaired by a professional. Though it can be frustrating to be unable to fix an issue yourself, this approach will ensure that your drone gets back to operating as it should.

 

In Closing

If you followed the troubleshooting steps we discussed in this article, you should no longer get the SD card malfunction error code 10023. Going forward, be sure to always use a high-quality SD card, and ensure that the SD card slot remains clean. Fly safe!