Computer doesn't connect to device or file transfer with USB (2024)

Get help if you can't transfer files between your device and computer.

Steps for all issues

  1. Make sure you're using the cable that came with your device. Some cables can charge your phone, but not connect to a computer.
  2. Unlock the device screen. Some device locks may require you to unlock the phone for security.
  3. Restart the device and your computer.
  4. Check that your device has the latestsoftware update using our tutorials.
  5. Inspect the USB or charging port​​. If it's damaged, contact the manufacturer to ask about a repair.
  6. Make sure the plug goes all the way into the port. If your case comes close to the port, you may need to remove it.
  7. Try plugging the USB cable into different USB ports on the computer. Certain ports may not work.
  8. For Android devices, make sure Developer Options or USB debugging are turned off.
  9. Try another computer.
    • If it works, contact the computer manufacturer for help.
    • If it doesn't work on another computer, perform a master reset.
Computer doesn't connect to device or file transfer with USB (2024)

FAQs

Computer doesn't connect to device or file transfer with USB? ›

Try plugging the USB cable into different USB ports on the computer. Certain ports may not work. For Android devices, make sure Developer Options or USB debugging are turned off. Try another computer.

Why is my USB file transfer not working? ›

Try a different USB cable: The USB cable you're using may be faulty. Try using a different USB cable to see if that resolves the issue. Check your USB connection settings: On your Android device, go to Settings > System > Developer options > Default USB configuration, and make sure that "File transfer" is selected.

Why is my computer not picking up USB connection? ›

Restart and Update

It's possible your USB port needs a restart. Sometimes an internal error can keep components from acting the way they should, and restarting gives the computer a chance to fix itself. In Windows, click the Start menu > Power button > Restart. On a Mac, click Apple > Restart.

Why my PC is not connecting to USB? ›

USB-related issues can be caused due to incompatible device, outdated, incorrect, or corrupt drivers, damaged USB ports or cables, faulty USB port, and so on.

Why is my computer not recognizing my USB port? ›

Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. You should see a device disappear from Device Manager when you remove the device, and it should appear again when you reconnect the device. Connect the USB device to another USB port.

How do I fix my USB drive not connecting? ›

How to fix a USB not recognized
  1. OPTION 1: COMPUTER RESTART.
  2. OPTION 2: TRY A DIFFERENT PORT.
  3. OPTION 3: TRY A DIFFERENT COMPUTER AND DEVICE.
  4. OPTION 4: UPDATE WINDOWS.
  5. OPTION 5: UPDATE DRIVERS.
  6. OPTION 6: CHANGE ROOT HUB SETTINGS.
  7. OPTION 7: DISABLE FAST STARTUP.
Oct 18, 2023

How do I activate USB file transfer? ›

With a USB cable, connect your device to your computer. On your device, tap the "Charging this device via USB" notification. Under "Use USB for," select File Transfer.

How do I get my USB to work on my computer? ›

Here's how to get your USB drive to show up.
  1. Make sure the USB drive is fully seated in the port. ...
  2. This is rare, but is the drive on? ...
  3. Try a different USB port. ...
  4. Restart your computer. ...
  5. Use it directly. ...
  6. Reinstall the USB drivers. ...
  7. Use Device Manager to scan for changes. ...
  8. Partition the drive.
May 6, 2022

Why is my computer not reading my USB flash drive? ›

The drive isn't seated properly in the port. The USB port on the computer is bad. The USB drive itself is broken. The file system of the USB is not compatible with your device.

How do I check if my USB port is working? ›

Method 1: Use Device Manager to scan for hardware changes
  1. Click Start, and then click Run. ...
  2. Type devmgmt. ...
  3. In Device Manager, click your computer so that it is highlighted.
  4. Click Action, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
  5. Check the USB device to see whether it is working.

What happens if your USB doesn't work? ›

It could be related to the device you're trying to connect, the cable, the USB port, software on your computer or something else. Start with the USB port — unplug the device and plug it into a different USB port. If it works, great — there is likely something awry with the port you were using.

How to fix a corrupted USB drive? ›

How to Fix a Corrupted USB Drive
  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Go to This PC.
  3. Right-click the corrupted USB flash drive and choose the Properties option.
  4. Navigate to the Tools tab.
  5. Click Check.
  6. Select the Scan and repair drive option.
  7. Wait for the Error Checking tool to repair your drive.
Jan 16, 2023

Why do some USB cables not transfer data? ›

The Wiring Enigma: Unveiling the Difference

The positive and negative wires carry electrical power, while the data transfer and data receive wires facilitate data exchange. Charge-only cables, on the other hand, lack the data transfer and data receive wires, restricting their function to power delivery.

How to reset a USB drive? ›

Formatting Drives in Windows
  1. Insert a USB drive into a USB port.
  2. Open File Explorer.
  3. Click on This PC from the left pane.
  4. Under the "Devices and drives" section, right-click the flash drive and select the Format option.
  5. Use the "File system" drop-down menu and select the preferred option.

How do I update my USB drivers? ›

Right-click on Start , then select Device Manager. Select a device category, then right-click the one you like to update. Select Update driver, then click Search automatically for drivers. If Windows can't find an update, visit the device manufacturer's website and check for available driver updates.

How do I enable USB ports on my computer? ›

Manual Procedure to Enable USB Ports in Windows 10, 8, 7 OS
  1. Go to Start Menu, and type “devmgmt. msc” in the Search box to launch the Device Manager.
  2. Hit on the Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
  3. Now, the user will get the list of available USB ports. Right-click on the USB port option and disable/enable the port.
Jan 25, 2024

Why is my USB not copying files? ›

When you are unable to save a file to a USB flash drive, it may be due to one of the following reasons: File system limitations of the target partition. The target flash drive is write-protected. Insufficient space on the USB.

How do I fix an unresponsive USB port? ›

If the issue persists, go to the next step.
  1. Check USB ports or cables for physical damage.
  2. Reset BIOS to factory defaults.
  3. Run a hardware diagnostic test.
  4. Check the USB device functionality on another computer.
  5. Check Windows Device Manager for errors.
  6. Run the Windows hardware troubleshooter.
Jan 31, 2024

How do I enable USB port for data transfer? ›

Step 1: Press Windows + X to open the WinX menu. Then, select Device Manager to open it. Step 2: In the Device Manager window, find the Universal Serial Bus controllers option and click it to expand it. Step 3: Right-click on the USB controller and select Enable device from the context menu.

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