The android phone is connected to the usb cable

Android Phone Isn’t Showing Up When Connected to PC [FIXES]

One of the best things about your Android phone is the ability to transfer its media to a computer. However, you first need to link the two devices, which can be prone to errors. The PC may not show the smartphone after establishing a connection, preventing you from viewing the content.

This problem can be incredibly inconvenient. In this article, we’ll will list several ways to solve it.

Android Phone Isn’t Showing Up When Connected to Computer

While this software issue might seem like a dead-end, many methods can help you overcome the obstacle:

Restart Both Devices, Use Another Port and Cable

You should first try to deal with the most obvious cause —a faulty USB port. The easiest way to do so is to restart both devices:

1. Disconnect your cable.
   
2. Reboot the computer and smartphone.
   
3. Re-connect the cable with a different USB.
   

Is Your Phone Connected as Storage?

If the Android phone doesn’t show up in the PC’s File Explorer as it should, the problem may be with how it’s linked to the computer. Instead of showing up as storage, the smartphone appears to be in charging mode. There’s an easy way to resolve the issue:

1. Plug the phone into the computer.
   
2. Pull up the notification bar.
3. Choose “USB,” “USB for file transfer,” or “USB charging this device.” The wording may vary, depending on the phone’s make and model.
   
4. Hover over the menu with a list of options.
5. Choose “Transfer files,” and the computer should recognize your phone.
   

Clean the Micro-USB Port

You should also ensure there are no foreign objects blocking the port and preventing the exchange. For instance, lint can accumulate in the USB slot if the device spends too much time in your pockets. This can impede electricity transfer and prevent the phone from transferring data. Cleaning the compartment should be a thorough process:

1. Examine the port with a flashlight and look for any unwanted particles.
2. If there’s any debris, power off the phone and find a needle, toothpick, or tweezers.
   
3. Drag out the lint or other substances out of the opening.
   
4. Dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and place it inside the port.
   
5. Rotate the swab to remove any lingering dirt.
6. Let the smartphone dry for at least two hours before powering it up and attempting the transfer.

Update the MTP Driver

You also might be facing some driver problems. First, you’ll need to confirm that the computer sees the smartphone as an MTP (media transfer protocol) device:

1. Head to Control Panel.
   
2. Click the “Devices and Printers” option.
   

If you can locate your Android phone, the MTP link is working correctly. But if the device is flagged “Unspecified” or “MTP,” you need to update the drivers:

1. Right-click on the “My PC” or “My Computer” icon, depending on your Windows version.
   
2. Choose “Device Manager” (“Manage” on Win 10).
   
3. Expand the “Portable devices” option and look for your device. If you can’t locate the “Portable devices” tab, find an entry containing “ADB” in its name. You’ll now be asked to browse the PC manually or search for drivers automatically. Select the former.
   
4. If the phone’s real name isn’t shown or features an exclamation mark, right-click on it.
5. Tap “Update Driver.”
   
6. From the location box, press “Let me pick from a list of device drivers from my computer.”
7. Browse the hardware types and choose “Android Device.”
8. Click “MTP USB Device” and press “Next.”
9. The computer should upgrade the old driver to a new version. Wait for the process to complete.
10. File Manager should now list the Android phone as a media device.

Re-Install Android Drivers

You should also ensure that your PC has the necessary Android drivers. They may not have been installed correctly, and ADB or other services might have corrupted them. Follow these steps to re-install Android drivers:

1. Connect the Android phone to your computer.
   
2. Right-click on “My PC” or “My Computer.”
   
3. Start “Device Manager.”
   
4. Find the device’s name in the “Portable Devices” section. If you can’t find this entry, relocate the search to the “Other devices” tab.
   
5. Right-click on your phone and choose “Uninstall.”
   
6. Once the Android phone has vanished, unplug the cable.
   
7. Re-connect the cable and wait for the system to install the drivers.
8. Your device should appear in the “My PC” or “My Computer” icon. You can now initiate your media transfer.

Download Media Feature Pack

If updating the MTP or Android drivers doesn’t do the trick, another culprit may be preventing the smartphone from showing up on your PC. As previously mentioned, Android devices use MTP protocols to exchange data with your PC. This type of transfer interacts with Windows Media Player to complete this operation, but it’s not a default program on some Windows 10 versions.

To fix the issue, you’ll need to download and install the Media Feature Pack on your KN and N Windows 10 versions:

1. Open your browser and click this link.
   
2. Select your language and press the “Download” button.
   
3. Choose the file you want to download and press “Next.”
   
4. Start the installation by clicking “Run.”
5. Finish the installation and try to connect your Android phone to your PC.

Connecting as a USB Mass Storage

Some Android versions, especially older ones, allow for USB Mass connections. They use different drivers from the MTP protocol and are similar to linking your flash drive or SD card to the computer. Rather than recognizing the device as a smartphone, the computer will consider it a mass storage option and install it accordingly. While this doesn’t let you connect your phone PC suite, it should enable you to exchange files.

Here’s how to link your Android phone as a USB mass storage device:

1. Head to “Settings,” followed by “More Settings.”
2. Choose “USB utilities” and press “Connect Storage to PC.”
3. Select “Turn on USB storage.”
4. Wait for the system to install the necessary drivers.
5. Open “My PC” or “My Computer” and check if the phone shows up as Windows volume.
6. Proceed to transfer your files.

Enable USB Debugging

The final option is to activate USB debugging, a process designed for advanced activities, such as testing and decompiling apps. However, it may solve your issue since it comes with special privileges:

1. Access your “Settings” and find the “About phone” section.
   
2. Tap “Build number” until developer mode is enabled. In some Android versions, you’ll first need to press “Software information” to access the “Build number” tab.
   
3. Head back to the “Settings” screen and choose “Developer options.”
   
4. Tap the “USB debugging” option to activate it.
   
5. Connect the phone to your computer.
   
6. Agree with the notification to permit USB debugging on the smartphone.

Transfer Files at Your Convenience

Your Android phone not showing up on your computer screen can be a huge let-down. But now you know how to deal with the difficulty and address a variety of potential causes. Whether encountering incompatible drivers or a dirty port, they should no longer keep you from sending files back and forth between your devices.

Have you tried any of these methods to pair up your phone and PC? How long did it take you to establish a successful connection? Are you familiar with other ways to solve the problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

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How to Connect an Android to a PC

Corded and wireless options to connecting your phone to your computer

What to Know

• Connect the devices with a USB cable. Then on Android, select Transfer files. On PC, select Open device to view files >This PC.
• Connect wirelessly with AirDroid from Google Play, Bluetooth, or the Microsoft Your Phone app.

This article explains how to connect an Android to a PC by using a USB cable or a wireless connection via AirDroid, Bluetooth, or the Microsoft Your Phone app.

How to Connect an Android to a PC

If you want to connect an Android to a PC, there are several options. The most common approach is to use a USB cable, but there are a number of wireless solutions that’ll work just as well, and often offer a faster connection.

Most Android devices come with a USB charging cable, with the charger end connected via the USB end of the wire. If you unplug the USB end from the charger, you can plug that end into your PC to initiate a connection with your computer.

However, if you don’t have your USB cable with you, or prefer a wireless solution, these are the ways you can connect an Android to a PC without a cable:

• Using AirDroid: This popular app uses your home network to establish a connection between your computer and Android device and transfer files.
• Bluetooth: Most modern computers have Bluetooth available. You can use Bluetooth to transfer files from your Android.
• Microsoft’s Your Phone App: Microsoft now offers a new app for Windows 10 users called Your Phone, which provides an easy connection with your Android.

Connect an Android to a PC With USB

Using a USB cable to connect your Android to your PC is easy, but it only allows you to transfer files back and forth. You can’t remotely control your Android using this connection.

First, connect the micro-USB end of the cable to your phone, and the USB end to your computer.

When you connect your Android to your PC via the USB cable, you’ll see a USB connection notification in your Android notifications area. Tap the notification, then tap Transfer files.

On your computer, you’ll see a notification asking what you’d like to do with the new USB device. Select this notification.

This will open a window to select how you’d like to use the device. Select Open device to view files.

Now, when you open Windows Explorer, select This PC and you’ll see your device available. Select the device to expand it and browse through all of the folders and files on your phone.

Connect an Android to a PC With AirDroid

AirDroid is an impressive app because it allows you to not only transfer files to and from your Android, but it also includes a number of remote control features.

Install AirDroid from Google Play onto your Android device.

Open the app and enable the features you plan to use. You may need to create a new AirDroid account if this is the first time you’re using the app.

Some features, such as remotely controlling your Android screen, requires root access to the device. Additionally, some features are disabled unless you purchase the Premium plan.

Visit AirDroid Web, and log into the same account you created above.

Once you connect, you’ll see the main dashboard. On the right, you’ll see a toolbox with a summary of information about your phone storage. On the left, you’ll see all of the apps that let you control your phone.

Select the Files app to browse files on your phone and transfer files back and forth.

Select the Messages app to review stored messages on your phone or to launch a new SMS session with anyone in your contacts list.

You can even use the Camera app to remotely view and control the camera on your Android phone.

Connect an Android to a PC With Bluetooth

If you only need a connection to transfer files, bluetooth is an excellent option because it requires no wires and the transfers are fast and easy.

Make sure bluetooth is turned on for both your Android device and your computer. When it is, you’ll see the computer show up on your Android as an available device to pair with.

Tap this device to pair with it. You should see a pair code appear on both the PC and on your android device. Tap Pair to complete the connection.

Once connected, on your PC right-click the bluetooth icon on the right side of the taskbar, then select either Send a File or Receive a File.

Next, browse to the file on your PC that you want to transfer and select Next.

This will initiate the file transfer from your PC to your Android.

Connect an Android to a PC With Microsoft Your Phone

Another convenient cloud bases service that’ll let you access your phone’s files, texts, and notifications is a new service provided by Microsoft called Your Phone.

The Your Phone app is ideal for those situations when you’ve forgotten your phone at home. From your laptop, you can still see all messages and notifications you might have otherwise missed.

Install the Microsoft Your Phone app from Google Play onto your Android. You’ll need to accept all of the requested security permissions.

Install the Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store onto your Windows 10 PC.

Launch the Your Phone app on your computer and select Android as the phone type that you want to connect to. Then select Get started.

Your computer will connect to your Android phone. Select Photos from the left panel to view all photos on your phone.

Select Messages to view messages, or send and receive new messages, from your computer through your Android phone.

Select Notifications to view all recent notifications on your Android phone.

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