Strange problem - SD card does not stay in, pops out

[LogicalDude]

Dear forum,

Being a proud user of the Xperia Z3 Compact for over 4 years, this is only the second time I encouter a serious issue with my device. One day I found my SD card poped out of the slot, i.e., it will no longer stay in its place. The phone recognises the SD card, but the card is "removed" whenever I let my finger go. I've tried another card but it won't stay in either.  I can hear the "click", but afterwards the card still bounces out.

Initially it would stay in after I pop it in ~10 times, but now it takes like 50 or something - I have not been able to find the magic point where I should press it in so that it stays inside so my best guess is that this is random. Also, bad thing is it does not stay in forever, it pops out almost everytime I put it in my pocket.

Everything else works like a charm. Since I live in Western Europe where services are extremely expensive, repairing it at a shop is outside of the question Has someone else experienced this issue before?

The only thing online I was able to find was the below:

/t5/Xperia-Z3-Compact/Z3-Compact-micro-SD-card-won-t-stay-in-slot-always-bounces-out/td-p/1009989#gr...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoGPfQim3LM&feature=youtu.be

Does the sticky note solution make sense to you guys and is it dangerous? I'm thinking about retiring my Sony in 5-6 months time and I just need to keep it working in the mean time.

[Jonas]

Hi @LogicalDude, sorry to hear about this.

There is always a risk when you do something with the hardware in the device on your own.

It's definitely hardware related and if you plan on getting a new device, it's not fun to spend money on repairing a device that you are not going to continue to use.

If you plan on getting a new device in 5-6 months, can you live without the SD card until then or are you willing to risk fixing this on your own? That is basically what it comes down to.

Let me know if you decide to try it and how it went!

[LogicalDude]

Hi Jonas,

That's a very valid point and to be honest, this is what I decided to do for the time being - keep on using it without the SD card until I buy new device.

Do you have any further background about this hardware issue by any chance?

[Jonas]

Hi again @LogicalDude!

That is probably the safest option!

I don't have any experience in repairing Xperia devices as this is done by our authorized service centres, however there has to be some kind of feather or similar inside the device that keeps the SD card in place when you mount it and then when you want to eject it and you press on it, it is released from the locking mechanism. The solution in the video you posted doesn't use the mechanism inside the device and instead it just makes sure that the SD card is recognized by the SD card reader and that the card is kept in place with the tape. If you want to remove you will most likely not just be able to press on it and it automatically is ejected.

I know it works differently between devices and in some you just put the SD card in SIM/SD card tray a seen on the picture below for the Xperia XZ3 while some use the same solution as in the Xperia Z3 Compact.

https://cdn.support.sonymobile.com/common/assets/userguide/H8416/ILL-SONY-18AK-INSERT-TWO-SIMS-AND-M...

I'm sorry that I can't provide a more detailed answer as to why it is not staying inside the device, but I hope I was able to explain a bit more at least!

Have a nice day!

[LogicalDude]

Thank you Jonas, understood!

Any idea how much it would cost to get the SD slot replaced or repaired? I already contacted two of your support centers but was wondering whether you as Sony Group have a pre agreed price with them per service or they are free to price as they seem fit and you have no idea how much this might cost?

Thanks again

[Jonas]

Hi again @LogicalDude,

I have no idea at all to be honest with you.

The cost in general for repairs will differ between markets and regions and here in the Nordic region where I'm situated, the service centre that we mostly use called Mobylife offers pre agreed prices for certain repairs, such as cracked display, defect back cover, defect microphone and so on, but they also have a category called "Other behaviour" which means that the device has to be examined at the service centre and then you will receive a quotation for the repair + shipping.

Here in the Nordics, it has always been cheaper to have the device repaired by creating the service order directly at the service centres website, or our website, instead of going through the retailer. I can't remember exactly how much cheaper it was, but I think it at least used to be around 50 euros cheaper for a cracked display on certain models. This is probably due to no extra fees and stuff that the retailer takes for assisting a customer.

The tricky part here is that I'm very informed about service in the countries that I handle on a daily basis (the Nordic countries), but I'm not very informed about service in other countries.

The Support team that will give you the most detailed answer for marketing/region specific question will always be the Local support team, as the also have the option to contact the responsible service personal for that market.

That is unfortunately the best answer I can you.

[LogicalDude]

Hi Jonas,

As adviced, I contacted the authorised Sony repair center in Bulgaria, who quoted a price of EUR 220 for the repair...of course I will not pay that price! Can I ask you to check with your Swedish department where there is no practical solution to my problem which does not include replacing the mother board of the phone?

Otherwise since I have another annoying problem, I will bring it to an unauthorised center and get their opinion on the matter.

[Jonas]

Hi again @LogicalDude, sorry for the late reply, I did some digging when I got back after the weekend!

It's the same repair here, motherboard replacement to fix the SD card reader. This will be expensive as the motherboard is the most expensive part to replace.

That is a good option as well and since there is no warranty left on the device, there is no warranty that will be voided when you let them have a look at the device.