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Android USB File Transfer not working: Device not recognized by PC [Fix]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of the Android device not being recognized by the PC, resulting in the USB File Transfer not working. There could be quite a few reasons as to why you might need to connect your device to your PC via a USB cable. These include the likes of file transfer, WiFi Tethering, MIDI, PTP, or executing ADB and Fastboot Commands.

Amon them, it is the transferring of files from your phone to your PC that is among the most widely used task. However, many users aren’t able to make full use of the same. They have voiced their concern that the USB file transfer is not working on their Android device. As a result of which, their Android device isn’t being recognized by their PC. If you are also facing a similar issue, then this guide shall help you out. Follow along for the fixes.

Fix Android USB File Transfer not working: Device not recognized by PC

Android USB File Transfer not working

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Try USB Tweaks

  1. First off, it is recommended that you use the official USB cable that came with your device.
  2. Likewise, if possible, consider using a USB Type C to Type A cable instead of a Type C to Type C cable. Android USB File Transfer not working
  3. Moreover, you should use the USB 2.0 port on your PC and not the USB 3.0 Port.Android USB File Transfer not working
  4. Check if these USB tweaks fix the Android device not recognized by PC/file transfer not working issue.

FIX 2: Install Android Composite ADB Interface USB Drivers

While most Android devices nowadays automatically install the USB drivers on the PC as soon as you connect it to them, however, in some instances, you might have to manually get this job done. So please refer to our guide on How to Install Google USB Drivers for Android Devices. Once you have installed the said drivers, check if it fixes the issue of the Android device not being recognized by your PC/file transfer not working.

Android USB File Transfer not working

FIX 3: Change Default USB Configuration

This is one of the most important settings related to USB which determines the default action that your device should perform soon as it gets connected to your PC. In some cases, this setting changes to No Data Transfer. As a result of this, your device wouldn’t be recognized by your Windows PC. To rectify it, you will have to change it to File Transfer so that your Android device is visible in File Explorer. Here’s how:

  1. To begin with, connect your device to your PC via a USB cable.
  2. Then go to Settings > About Phone and tap on Build Number 7 times.
  3. Next up, go to Settings > System > Developer Options. Android USB File Transfer not working
  4. Now go to Default USB Configuration and change its value to File Transfer/Android Auto.
  5. Check if it fixes the Android device not recognized by PC/file transfer not working issue.

FIX 4: Reinstall Google USB Drivers

If you have previously connected another Android device to your PC, then its driver might conflict with the current Android device that you are trying to connect. So you should first remove those drivers and then install the new drivers corresponding to this device. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. To begin with, connect any other Android device to your PC that the latter is able to recognize.
  2. Then press Windows+X and select Device Manager from the menu.
  3. After that, expand the Android Device section and right-click on Android Composite ADB Interface.Android USB File Transfer not working
  4. Then select Uninstall > Uninstall Device in the confirmation prompt. Once done, restart your PC.
  5. Now connect the Android device that wasn’t being recognized by your PC.
  6. Wait a minute for the drivers to get automatically installed. Once done, check if it fixes the underlying issue.
  7. If it doesn’t, then manually install the Android Composite ADB Interface USB Drivers as mentioned in FIX 2.Android USB File Transfer not working
  8. Now check if it fixes the Android device not recognized by PC/file transfer not working issue.

FIX 5: Use PTP Mode

If none of the aforementioned methods managed to spell out success, then your last course of action is to use the PTP Mode. For the unaware, PTP is Picture Transfer Protocol which allows you to transfer photos from your device to your PC, Even if the former isn’t being recognized by the latter in File Transfer mode, the PTP Moe would still work. So if you are only planning to transfer some photos, then here’s how to make full use of this mode:

  1. To begin with, connect your device to your PC via a USB cable.
  2. Then head over to Settings > About Phone and tap on Build Number 7 times.Android USB File Transfer not working
  3. Next up, go to Settings > System > Developer and scroll to Default USB Configuration.
  4. Now change its value to PTP and check if your PC could recognize your device now.

That’s it. These were the five different methods that shall help you fix the issue of an Android device not being recognized by a PC resulting in the file transfer not working. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.


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