This card is not formatted. Format the card., Nikon
What it means, in 5 of the 8 we read: The memory card is not correctly formatted. What to do: it depends on the model; find yours below. Formatting erases everything on the card, so copy your images off first if you can.
8Nikon manuals we read list this message
In the 8 we read
| Camera | What it means† | What to do† | What its manual also says† |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon D6 | The memory card is not correctly formatted for the camera. | Format the card in the camera or use a correctly formatted card. | If an error persists, consult a Nikon-authorized service representative. |
| Nikon D780 | The memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace it with a formatted one. | If an error persists, consult a Nikon-authorized service representative. |
| Nikon Z5 | Memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace with a correctly-formatted one. | Same as “What the manuals also say” below |
| Nikon Z5II | The memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace it with a formatted one. | Same as “What the manuals also say” below |
| Nikon Z6III | The memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace it with a formatted one. | Same as “What the manuals also say” below |
| Nikon Z7II | Memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace with a correctly-formatted one. | If an error persists, consult a Nikon-authorized service representative. Remove the battery and wait for it to cool if the battery temperature is high. |
| Nikon Z8 | The memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the memory card or replace it with a formatted one. | If an error persists, consult a Nikon-authorized service representative. For battery issues, replace with a spare or genuine Nikon battery. For card issues, check insertion, format, or replace the card. For overheating, suspend shooting until cooled. |
| Nikon Z9 | The memory card is not correctly formatted. | Format the card or replace it with a formatted one. | Persistent faults? Contact Nikon-approved technicians. Swap non-Nikon cells for authentic ones. Verify proper memory card placement. |
What the manuals also say
- If an error persists, consult a Nikon-authorized service representative (Nikon Z5, Nikon Z5II and Nikon Z6III).
Other Nikon messages
Sources
- Nikon online reference guides, one per model, checked Oct 6, 2026
Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages
† What it means and What to do and What its manual also says: restated in plain words from the sources linked here; each source has the exact wording.