Lexar CF card reader unrecognized by Mac

Question

Level 2

454 points

Lexar CF card reader unrecognized by Mac

I am trying to extract photos from Lexar CF cards that I used with a Nikon Coolpix 990 years ago. I have a Lexar card reader that connects via USB-A. I have tried the reader with both my MacBookPro 2018 running Sequoia and my MacBookPro 2012 running Catalina. When attached, the light on the card reader lights up normally but the reader is not recognized by either OS. The cards themselves record and write in the camera.

Is this salvageable...do I need different card readers, drivers, etc. or is this camera just another paperweight?

Thanks.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Oct 18, 2025 2:02 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 19, 2025 8:34 AM in response to pomme-homme

I didn't know they made memory cards "990 years ago."

I have had card readers that stopped working, so it could be that. I have one that cost $17 like this:

Can you use a cable to plug the camera directly into the computer? Perhaps the camera's reader will work.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 19, 2025 8:53 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

On the other hand, I took some pictures last night, so I plugged in my CFexpress card with the reader I showed, the green light came on, and … nothing.

Panicking, I got another reader out (I have one with my camera bag and one with my computer,) and it worked! So I plugged the first one in again, and now it worked.

So, have you rebooted your computer? Maybe it's the computer being obstinate rather than the reader…

Reply