The problem can arise from simple issues like using an incompatible USB cable. Likewise, an outdated device driver is a major culprit in most cases. Nevertheless, we have compiled a list of methods to help you fix the issue.
How to Fix Computer Not Recognizing Android?
One of the quick fixes for this would be checking your USB cables. Not all USB cables are meant for data transferring, which is why your PC may be unable to recognize your phone. You should properly attach the USB cable to the PC and ensure it has tight connections. Also, try switching to other USB slots. There’s a possibility your current USB port might be the culprit. If you have another working USB port, try connecting it there and see if it could solve the problem. If your phone is still not recognized, try restarting your device. Restarting resolves minor problems that can appear on the device. Besides, there are other possible methods you can try on your computer and Mobile, which are explained below.
Unlock the Device and Select File Transfer Mode
It’s important to unlock the device because plugging in without unlocking will only charge the device. If you want it to be recognized by your PC, you must unlock it and grant permission for security reasons. Once you do it, your phone will be detected by the computer. Furthermore, if you want to use it for file transfers, you must switch to Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) mode from charging. You can’t transfer files without selecting MTP. If you don’t find any such options, follow the below steps.
Try Connecting to Another Phone
This is not exactly a technical method but one of the ways to diagnose the problem. If you have multiple phones, you should connect both of them to the computer to see if the computer might recognize one of them. If one of the phones is recognized by the computer, you may need to change a few settings on your unrecognized device. However, if the recently connected phones were not recognized, the problem can be with the USB cable or within the computer. Try changing the USB cable and check again.
Toggle On the USB Debugging
In some cases, your computer is unable to recognize your device if you haven’t turned on USB debugging. Since it is the path to communicate between your devices, it can block the way to detect by another computer if it’s off. So, enable it and see if your computer can detect it after turning it on. However, once you are done, you should toggle it off, as it can make your device vulnerable if it’s in the wrong hands.
Update the Driver
Sometimes, the outdated or corrupt driver can create issues between the computer and phone. For that, you can simply update the driver and make it work normally. Make sure you have your phone connected to the PC during this process.
Reinstall Android Driver
If your phone’s driver has malfunctioned on your PC, you can reinstall the Android drivers. For this method to work, you must first uninstall your established device’s driver. When the driver is uninstalled, you need to restart the PC and connect your Mobile back. Once you plug in, your computer will automatically install the driver for your phone to start a new connection.
title: “Computer Not Recognizing Android Try These 7 Fixes” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “Joan Powell”
The problem can arise from simple issues like using an incompatible USB cable. Likewise, an outdated device driver is a major culprit in most cases. Nevertheless, we have compiled a list of methods to help you fix the issue.
How to Fix Computer Not Recognizing Android?
One of the quick fixes for this would be checking your USB cables. Not all USB cables are meant for data transferring, which is why your PC may be unable to recognize your phone. You should properly attach the USB cable to the PC and ensure it has tight connections. Also, try switching to other USB slots. There’s a possibility your current USB port might be the culprit. If you have another working USB port, try connecting it there and see if it could solve the problem. If your phone is still not recognized, try restarting your device. Restarting resolves minor problems that can appear on the device. Besides, there are other possible methods you can try on your computer and Mobile, which are explained below.
Unlock the Device and Select File Transfer Mode
It’s important to unlock the device because plugging in without unlocking will only charge the device. If you want it to be recognized by your PC, you must unlock it and grant permission for security reasons. Once you do it, your phone will be detected by the computer. Furthermore, if you want to use it for file transfers, you must switch to Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) mode from charging. You can’t transfer files without selecting MTP. If you don’t find any such options, follow the below steps.
Try Connecting to Another Phone
This is not exactly a technical method but one of the ways to diagnose the problem. If you have multiple phones, you should connect both of them to the computer to see if the computer might recognize one of them. If one of the phones is recognized by the computer, you may need to change a few settings on your unrecognized device. However, if the recently connected phones were not recognized, the problem can be with the USB cable or within the computer. Try changing the USB cable and check again.
Toggle On the USB Debugging
In some cases, your computer is unable to recognize your device if you haven’t turned on USB debugging. Since it is the path to communicate between your devices, it can block the way to detect by another computer if it’s off. So, enable it and see if your computer can detect it after turning it on. However, once you are done, you should toggle it off, as it can make your device vulnerable if it’s in the wrong hands.
Update the Driver
Sometimes, the outdated or corrupt driver can create issues between the computer and phone. For that, you can simply update the driver and make it work normally. Make sure you have your phone connected to the PC during this process.
Reinstall Android Driver
If your phone’s driver has malfunctioned on your PC, you can reinstall the Android drivers. For this method to work, you must first uninstall your established device’s driver. When the driver is uninstalled, you need to restart the PC and connect your Mobile back. Once you plug in, your computer will automatically install the driver for your phone to start a new connection.