Users of the Android operating system often encounter this problem - the computer doesn't see the phone. This problem, most often, arises due to the fact that the smartphone OS is cross-platform.

You can connect your phone to any computer, and there is a possibility that problems will arise due to the incompatibility of certain programs, drivers, and other things.

First decision. Checking the USB connection.

Before you start looking for a problem in your phone, drivers or viruses, you just need to check that the device is connected to the computer correctly. There is a possibility that the cord through which you connected to the PC is faulty. The computer and smartphone connectors may be faulty.

Advice! If the computer reacts “zero” to connecting the device, you should check the functionality of that same USB port on the PC. This is easy to do - connect any other device to this port, even a flash card will do.

If nothing happens, then the problem is in the port itself. You should use a different port or computer.
In the case when the computer “noticed” the connection of the device, but could not recognize it, and therefore open the contents as well, configure the drivers.

Second solution. Setting up Drivers.

The first connection of a device to a PC is not always accompanied by the successful installation of the necessary components and drivers. It often happens that the software needed to work with a particular device is not installed on the PC.
Also, over time, drivers tend to “grow old” and require updating. To fix driver problems, follow these instructions:
- If ports are working properly, your smartphone will be displayed in the device manager of the computer itself. To view its status, go to the special “Dispatcher” window and look in the “ USB controllers».


User controllers and system controllers are shown here. Find your device in this list.
Most often, the name is the phone model, or Android and firmware version.
- After discovery device, you need to check its condition. To check the status, click on the device in the RMB list and go to the “ Properties».

The level of work will be shown in a special field. Below is a screenshot of the normal operation of the device. In case of incorrect operation, the contents of the “Device Status” window will display different text.

- Direct driver update. You can update them in several ways: manually and automatically. To use the first method, the driver installation file must already be on your PC.

To update drivers automatically, an Internet connection is required. In the “Task Manager”, right-click on the phone, and then select “update drivers”, as shown below;

Update method. It is best to choose automatic driver installation, which reduces the risk of errors. Below is the process of installing and searching for the necessary drivers using the Internet.
Everything happens automatically without user intervention.

Third solution. Compatibility settings.

There is another reason. It happens that all the drivers are installed and updated, but the next time you connect the phone does not appear on the PC. Why does this happen? This happens because in central processor computer interrupts occur.
Solving the problem is quite simple. Restart your smartphone and PC. Clear your smartphone RAM of unnecessary processes and completely get rid of the cache on your phone.

While the PC is rebooting, you will need to configure safe mode when turned on.
- Restart your laptop or computer;
- During the reboot, press “F” to bring up a window, as in the photo;


- Now select “safe mode with loading adapters”, this is done using the “up” and “down” keys. The action is confirmed by pressing the “Enter” key.
The good thing about this mode is that after starting, the system will automatically get rid of problems and malfunctions that could arise during connection. Try connecting your phone and PC again, and open the contents of the gadget through File Explorer on your PC.
Less popular troubleshooting methods.

If none of the methods help, the problem may be hidden in the following:
- Not enough phone memory. Enough common reason PC connection errors occur. Try to free up space on your phone by deleting unnecessary files, information, applications and more. You can completely format the SD card, or change it to another one. After you do any of this, reboot the device, and only then try to connect it again.

- Virus. A fairly common reason for a PC refusing to “see” phone files. To eliminate any pest on your phone, you should use a universal antivirus for Android to identify and treat the virus.

The most popular and best antivirus of its kind, Dr Web can be the most a short time scan the system, and if infected files are found, delete them. After cleaning the phone, reboot it and try connecting to the PC again.

- Storage mode is disabled. Perhaps you simply forgot to activate one item in the phone settings, and therefore the PC sees the smartphone, but cannot interact with it. Go to the gadget's toolbar and go to the computer connection settings. In the “Using USB” window, select the desired item for transferring files. After some time the problem will be solved;

It's no secret that Samsung Galaxy there is a connector for microSD cards to increase memory capacity. However, some users still additionally transfer images, music and videos to their computer or laptop. But what to do if the computer does not see the Samsung Galaxy via USB?

Firstly, to recognize a smartphone like the Galaxy S, your computer needs all the necessary drivers. Usually, when a device is connected to a computer, it will immediately find it, but if the necessary drivers are not installed, this may not happen.

Drivers are special programs, helping to establish interaction between the phone and the computer. Most often they can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. If your computer does not recognize your Galaxy S7, immediately head to the Samsung website and download drivers. Here is the link for Galaxy S7/Edge. Mac owners will have to install in order for your Mac to communicate with your phone.

There is an alternative: you can simply download and install the program on your computer, thus making file sharing easier. It comes with all the necessary drivers, so after installation you can rest assured that the computer will recognize your device and file sharing will no longer be a problem.

Those Windows users who have just installed drivers for Samsung may find themselves having to uninstall the device before it is detected. You need to follow these steps:

  1. Hold the button Windows and press R to call the command "Run."
  2. Type “ devmgmt. msc" and press " Enter“.
  3. Select “ Other devices" or " Portable devices”.
  4. If the list contains “ SAMSUNG_ Android" or " Unknown device” with a yellow icon (!), right-click and select “ Uninstall “.
  5. Right-click on the window " device Manager" and select " Scan for hardware changes“.

In principle, after installing the necessary drivers or programs, everything should work. But if the problem is not that the device is not recognized by the computer, you need to look for another method.

More details in the video:

So, what to do if you have installed the drivers, but the computer still does not see the Samsung Galaxy?

Firstly, “does not see” is not the same as “does not recognize”. Therefore, we always ask readers to describe the problem as accurately as possible in order to provide the most appropriate solution. Here, for example, is one of the “confusing” messages on this topic...

“I can no longer transfer photos to my computer because it doesn’t recognize the device. I don’t know what I did or didn’t do, but before that the computer immediately recognized the phone and I immediately dumped files and photos. And now he just doesn’t see him. I connect the phone, but it doesn’t see it. Youyou canhelpto me

You see, first our reader uses the term “recognize”, and then writes that “the computer does not see it,” that is, the computer “does not detect” the connected device. In this case, you should try to correct the fact that the computer does not see the Samsung phone. What I can recommend is to change the USB connection. And here's how...

Why doesn't the computer see Samsung Galaxy via USB?

If the computer does not see the Samsung Galaxy when connected using the included USB cable, then you will have to troubleshoot problems in the computer itself. If you know that other computers can see the phone, the issue may be USB port e.

If this is not the problem, then the problem may be with the cable or the port for charging the phone has become loose. Taking all this into account, here are a few steps to help fix this problem:

Step 1: Connect your phone to other USB ports on your computer

Simply connect your phone to your computer with a charging or data cable. If your phone remains invisible, try connecting it to a different port. Try one port at a time to see if this is the problem.

Step 2: Restart your computer if no USB ports work

There is also a chance that your computer has system problems that are preventing it from detecting connected devices. While we don't know for sure whether this is a problem, it's worth restarting your computer and seeing if it works. If the problem remains after a reboot, it means that something is wrong not with the computer, but with the cable or phone.

Still, I advise you to try other devices, such as a flash drive that connects via a USB port. If the computer sees all devices except the phone, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Make sure the USB cable is not damaged

By inspecting the cable, you can check for visible damage. If you don't see any, try charging your phone with it. Inside the cable there are wires responsible for both charging and data transfer.

By charging your phone with it, you can understand whether it works or not. If there is damage, the phone may not charge, especially if some wire has come loose.

Another way to check is to use a different cable. If the phone works with it, then the original cable is simply broken. If this is really the problem, then you need to replace the old cable with a working one.

Step 4: Make sure to connect the device as "storage device"

This is very important since phones are mostly connected to a computer to recharge. If so, then the computer may not see it, since data transfer is temporarily unavailable. Go to notifications and see if there is a selection icon for USB. If yes, then consider the problem already solved.

All you need to do is click on it and select “Data storage device”. If this is the first connection, then installing the drivers will take some time. But if you don’t have such an icon, try this:

  1. Disconnect USB from Samsung.
  2. Turn off your phone.
  3. Wait 20 seconds.
  4. Turn it on.
  5. Connect the cable again.
  6. Check to see if the options icon appears.

If it's not there, go to the next step.

Step 5: Check the charger socket

At a minimum, you need two cables to figure out if there is a problem with it. If your computer still doesn't see Samsung, it's time to check the charger port.

The connection may not be able to be established, or some debris, fiber, or dust may have gotten into the connector. A stream of compressed air will help get rid of the latter, but if the connection is loosened, you need to move on.


If the contacts of the charging socket are in order and there is no dirt, connect the cable and check if the contact has come loose. If the cable fits in properly and the connection is not interrupted when it moves, then everything is fine.

Otherwise, you will have to purchase a cable that fits perfectly under the port. If a new cable does not help, then your device has much more serious problems.

Step 3: Reset your phone if the problem persists after installing KIES or Smart Switch

The second step is aimed at solving the problem with the drivers, but if this does not help, you need to back up all files and information and reset the settings to a working state.

  1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy.
  2. Press and hold the Home, Volume Up, and Power buttons
  3. When Samsung Galaxy appears on the screen, release "Power" but continue to hold the remaining two.
  4. When will it appear Android logo, release all buttons and wait 30-60 seconds.
  5. Using the Volume Down button, toggle between options and select 'wipe data / factory reset.'
  6. Click "Power" to confirm.
  7. Then select ‘Yes - delete all user data’ using Volume Down and confirm by pressing Power.
  8. Wait until the process is completed. Then select ‘Reboot system now’ and click “Power”.
  9. The phone will take a little longer to reboot than usual.

If after this the problem is not solved, the help of a specialist is required. I hope this instruction will help you in one way or another. If you feel you need further assistance, please contact us.

Hi all. If you decide to transfer photos or videos from your Android phone to your computer, but some of the files are missing, or the computer does not see the photo at all, then you have come to the right place.

Since in this article, I will explain what to do in order for the computer to see all the files in the folder with videos and photos on the phone.

I'll start with a little background. Having returned from the sea, on the Xiaomi Redmi 3S phone running Android 6, accumulated a large number of photographs. Well, naturally, they had to be transferred to the computer.

In my case, the computer did not see some of the photos and videos, although they were perfectly visible on the phone itself. Having searched for a solution to the problem on the forums, I came across a lot of advice.

Someone advised to upload photos to the cloud, someone to use file managers, etc. But all this is tedious and takes a lot of time, for myself I found a very simple solution to this problem, maybe it will help you.

The computer does not see the photo on the Android phone, what should I do?

The whole point is that Windows systems 7, 8, 10 and Android, there may be problems with access rights. In order for the computer to see all the files, you need to temporarily rename the final folder with photos on your phone or tablet.

To do this, open the file manager on the phone and find the folder DCIM(Digital Camera Images), then go to it. Please note that it can be located either in internal memory phone or on a flash drive, depending on the settings of your device.

Now we see the folder Camera it needs to be renamed, to do this, select it with a long press, then click the “More” button.

In the menu that opens, click the “Rename” button.

Now we give it a new name, for example Camera5, then click the “OK” button.

After that, connect the phone to the computer using a USB cable and copy the photos. When copying is complete, do not forget to return the folder to its original name. I hope this method will help you too. You can also try renaming the folder using your computer, I think there will be no difference.

If you do not have Xiaomi, but for example iPhone, Samsung, LG, Huawei, Lenovo, Meizu, Sony, Fly, ASUS or some other company. Let me know in the comments if this solution helped you. That's all for me, I wish you success.

The problem that arises for many users of smartphones with completely different operating systems.

In this article, we will, if possible, reveal all the possible and most common causes of this problem, and also help give the necessary advice on how to eliminate them.

Why does the computer not see the phone via USB, but is charging?

Having connected your smartphone to your PC, you expect that a notification window should pop up in front of you, requesting or already confirming the connection of the smartphone to the computer.

If nothing of the kind is observed, but only automatic battery charging has turned on, then you need to proceed as follows:

  1. A PC system unit or a laptop can have from 3 to 10 USB connectors. Some of them are designed for mice, keyboards, modems, flash memory cards and other devices. Quite often, USB connectors on the front panels do not support mobile devices. Try plugging the cord into another USB input, preferably black (USB0), since it is designed to work with gadgets.
  2. If you have other universal cords at home, then try using them. It is quite possible that the reason lies in the problematic USB cable.
  3. The problem may be with the socket itself mobile device. If it is too loose or moisture gets in, malfunctions may occur. Try charging your phone through a wall outlet. If the charge goes on, then the problem is not in the socket.
  4. Just in case, connect your smartphone to another PC. Perhaps due to the recent reinstallation of Windows, the settings were lost, or some drivers were not installed. It's unlikely, but it happens one in a million.

Ask yourself, do flash drives connect to your computer? If not, then check its settings manually. To do this, go to Control Panel => Troubleshooting => Setting up devices. This is automatic troubleshooting.

If this method did not help, then try disabling the power saving mode in Generic USB Hub.

Be sure to check your gadget's default settings. If the charging only mode is selected, then it is natural that the computer does not see the phone via USB.

You can tick absolutely all the points, except MIDI, because practically no one uses it anymore.

Why doesn't the computer see the Android phone via USB and charge?

If a problem arises, it is worth analyzing whether your computer always detected the phone, or did it just happen now? Has the phone stopped being visible via USB on its own, or after certain manipulations?

Every day more and more new smartphones are released, which have upgraded software. If you are the owner of an old PC by today's standards, then most likely the phone is not visible due to the lack of certain plugins. Try installing the MTP protocol – Media Transfer Pritocol.

The new generation of Samsung, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S3, may require the installation of this program. If, on the contrary, your PC is more modern, and your phone is not from latest models It's most likely worth updating your Android version.

Now consider the situation when the computer does not see smartphones Windows phone 8.1 and the new Windows phone 10. Remember that Android and Windows phone smartphones that have a graphical or digital lock key must be unlocked when connected to a PC, only then will you have access to all folders.

When connecting to a PC, check whether a notification appears or the USB icon is displayed. If no signs are visible on the smartphone screen, open the connection settings, it will describe in detail what type of device your smartphone is connected to (as a camera, as a memory card, or as a full-fledged gadget).

Windows phones have many, many connection modes, so it's always worth checking which one is selected before you panic. The best option– MTP mode, which allows you to exchange all files.

Also the computer does not see Android phone via USB, but is charged in cases where the drivers on the computer are outdated, or they do not fit the model of your phone. This problem is common for new phones whose brands are relatively new to the market.

If you scour the Internet, you can see that owners of the brand new Xiomi Redmi note3 often encounter similar situations.

In such cases, you should proceed as follows:


Iphone owners experience great inconvenience when connecting their smartphones to a PC. operating system iOS is quite complex and specific. If it so happens that when you connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC, the device is not displayed, then you should try the following methods:

  1. Try to force reboot the system. Moreover, by doing this, not by turning the phone off and on again, but by simultaneously pressing the “Home” button and the lock button. If your PC and smartphone are working properly, this should work.
  2. One common problem is the USB cable itself. It often happens that you have to use a non-original lace. If you purchased a cheap, low-quality cable, then that's the problem, it simply does not display the external device and is only able to charge the battery.
  3. It's possible that iTunes hasn't been updated on your computer in a while. Remove existing program and install a new one from the official website.
  4. Many people think that it's all about the firmware, but this is not so. Don't forget to update your iOS version. If your phone doesn’t glitch or throw you out of programs, then try resetting your geolocation in the settings. This should help.
  5. A firmware update may only be necessary if it is broken. The world-famous Cidia application, which makes it possible to install paid content for free, is often the reason for the incompatibility of a smartphone with a PC. At first, this is reflected by the inability to import certain files, and soon the PC stops seeing the phone. By updating the firmware, you will delete this application and everything should work again.

Note! If for some reason you cannot use standard data exchange using USB, do not be upset, because you can exchange between devices in other ways:

  • Synchronization using virtual storage.
  • Wireless exchange programs – AirDroid.

Even now, when wireless interfaces and clouds are in fashion, the easiest way to exchange data between a phone and a PC is through a wire. But despite its simplicity, a wired connection also fails. Let's look at the reasons why the phone doesn't see the computer via USB and suggest ways to fix them.

Software problems

It is possible that both devices themselves are working correctly. However, the problem occurs because one of them is configured incorrectly.

Since the last decade, phones (even those that have not become smartphones) have been able to connect to a computer in several modes:

  • Charger;
  • Data transfer;
  • Transfer photos and videos (access only to individual folders);
  • Modem mode;
  • Webcam mode;
  • Exotic modes (MIDI and other special).
If the charge indicator on the phone is active, but the computer does not detect the device, then, apparently, the “Charging” mode is selected on the mobile phone.

Switch the mode to “Data transfer” when connecting.


You can change the default mode without a connection by selecting the default connection mode in the settings.

The computer is incorrectly configured to work with ports

There are several reasons why the computer may not see your smartphone:

Hardware problems

If the computer stops seeing the phone via USB, and you did not change anything in the settings of both devices, then the problem may be hardware. There are three elements that are involved in the connection: a USB port on a computer, a cable or connector on a smartphone. It is enough for one of them to fail.

Defective cable

Unfortunately, cables sometimes break. They suffer from kinks near the plugs, from pressure or rupture, from chafing. If this causes the integrity of at least one of the cable cores to be damaged, then it will be impossible to transmit data over it.


You may have taken a cable from an inexpensive charger. Their creators sometimes save money and do without wires for data transmission, installing only power wires. You can charge your phone with this wire, but the computer will not see the connected device.

How to check:

  1. Connect another device with the same cable (player, tablet, camera - it doesn’t matter, as long as the input connector is the same);
  2. Connect your phone using a different cable.
If in the first case the connected device is not visible, but in the second the phone is recognized, then the problem is in the cable.

What to do:

  • Use a different cable;
  • If the cable is frayed and there is no other one, try today to bend it in such a position that there is a connection. And tomorrow buy a new one;
  • Try to use wires very carefully.

Port not working on PC

Sometimes computers, desktop or laptop, fail USB ports. If you suspect that the problem is in the connector, check this way:
  1. Connect the same phone with the same cable to another port;
  2. Connect anything with any cable to the questionable port.
If in the first case the phone is recognized, but in the second the device is not found, then the problem area is most likely the port.

What to do:

  • If you connected through a hub, replace it. A defect in one port can easily spread to the others;
  • If you connected directly to your computer, use a different port for now. But as soon as possible, send your PC to a service center for inspection and repair.

Not working connector on the phone

If you suspect that the port on your smartphone has become worn out due to frequent connections and may turn out to be a “weak link,” check your phone.
  1. Make sure your phone is connected in data mode.
  2. Connect the phone to the same PC with the same and then a different cable.
  3. Connect it to another PC with the same and then another cable.
If in all cases the connection is not detected, then the problem is with the phone.

What to do:

  • Send your smartphone for repair. If it is equipped with wireless charging, then you can work with it for some time without using the port. But such use will be inferior, so it is better to correct the defect immediately;
  • In the future, use a wired connection as little as possible, and use wireless charging and file transfer via Wi-Fi or the cloud as often as possible.
Unlike the first two cases, nuances with the “recessed port” are possible here. Sometimes in smartphones (especially in “off-road” models), the MicroUSB or Type C port is slightly “recessed” into the body to increase security. To connect through such a port, you need a special cable with a slightly elongated plug.

Therefore, if you have a secure phone, use it only with the included cable or immediately buy an appropriate spare one. A standard length plug will most likely not work in this case.

As you can see, in most cases the problem is solved without the involvement of specialists; if the defect is serious, then it is necessary to hurry with the repair. And then your smartphone will easily connect to your computer again.