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Windows 10 not recognizing my Android phone

Anonymous
2019-07-10T14:43:18+00:00

I have a new laptop, and I can't remember exactly how my PC reacted to my phone when I first plugged it in, but I do know now that it's problematic.

I get no response most of the time when I plug my phone in and when I do get a response, my PC makes the little "device connected sound" at random. The cable was new but I checked anyway. I plugged it into a Surface and an Omen, and my phone connected successfully, though I just thought it was a fluke, and when I got home I plugged my phone into my old PC that has frustrated me time and again with various issues, but it connected just fine.

The next day, I checked the internet for a solution I hadn't tried before, and the only different solution I saw was to boot into Linux, and the person who wrote that answer said if the port worked for Linux, it was a Windows problem, and so I booted into Ubuntu from a Flash Drive. Immediately I plugged in the phone, Ubuntu recognized it. I didn't have to use the infamous "sudo" I've been hearing of or anything like that, and it worked. When I rebooted into Windows, I left the phone plugged in and it showed up in Explorer without any instability.

I don't know what else to do and, please, I need help with this problem, I've tried a bunch of things and I'm not seeing anything different on the internet. I've tried: 

 - Installing the driver from my phone's OEM

 - Restarting my phone and PC

 - Odin mode(I canceled halfway, though)

 - Restarting adb server in Android Studio

 - Downloading the Windows Media Pack(the update doesn't apply to my system)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Connect Phone and PC

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  1. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-07-10T14:50:54+00:00

    Hi DavidGrath

    Greetings! I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

    Please try these options one by one and check after each option. These options are independent and can be executed in any sequence.

    1. Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Right click on Desktop (at the top) > Scan for Hardware Changes > It should detect your device
    2. The issue might also happen because of driver conflict.

    Type cmd in Windows Start Search box (Cortana) > Right click on Command Prompt > Run As Administrator

    set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

    (Note - Nothing will seem to happen. It is perfectly normal behavior)

    Windows Key+X > Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices

    Expand all entries > You will see even those entries which were loaded in the past and were not uninstalled and not currently started (they might be greyed out also) > See if there is a problematic device which can potentially conflict > If you find any, right click and Uninstall > Reboot your computer

    1. You can also Uninstall & Rollback MTP USB device driver

    3.1 - Rollback the Driver

    Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Choose your phone device (may be under portable device) > Click Properties > Go to Driver tab > If there is rollback option, click it

    3.2 - Uninstall the Driver

    Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Choose your phone device (may be under portable device) > Right click on entry below > Uninstall > Reboot the computer

    Source - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2019-07-10T15:50:42+00:00

    Hi DavidGrath

    Greetings! I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

    Please try these options one by one and check after each option. These options are independent and can be executed in any sequence.

    1. Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Right click on Desktop (at the top) > Scan for Hardware Changes > It should detect your device
    2. The issue might also happen because of driver conflict.

    Type cmd in Windows Start Search box (Cortana) > Right click on Command Prompt > Run As Administrator

    set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1

    (Note - Nothing will seem to happen. It is perfectly normal behavior)

    Windows Key+X > Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices

    Expand all entries > You will see even those entries which were loaded in the past and were not uninstalled and not currently started (they might be greyed out also) > See if there is a problematic device which can potentially conflict > If you find any, right click and Uninstall > Reboot your computer

    1. You can also Uninstall & Rollback MTP USB device driver

    3.1 - Rollback the Driver

    Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Choose your phone device (may be under portable device) > Click Properties > Go to Driver tab > If there is rollback option, click it

    3.2 - Uninstall the Driver

    Windows Key+X > Click Device Manager > Choose your phone device (may be under portable device) > Right click on entry below > Uninstall > Reboot the computer

    Source - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help.

    Sorry, this didn't help.

    I couldn't rollback and my computer didn't recognize my phone upon reboot. I've tried everything else you told me but nothing worked

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2019-07-11T07:20:48+00:00

    I haven't tried the repair install. I found a quick fix around this. I just have to put my PC to sleep and wake it up with my phone plugged in and I have no more unstable connection issues. I don't know why it's like this. But for now, it will work.

    If the problem persists or gets worse, however, I'll reconsider the install and get back to you.

    Thank you.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2019-07-13T07:53:00+00:00

    Nope. Nothing worked. I reinstalled Windows 10 and plugged my phone in. Still no response.

    The quick fix failed, too. My phone would still disconnect and reconnect randomly after some time. I don't get how I'm supposed to do anything without having this fear that my phone will just eventually disconnect. I need help.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-07-10T16:16:35+00:00

    I would recommend that you perform a Windows 10 repair upgrade (This is not Reset or Reinstall of Windows). Repair upgrade fixes all Windows errors and retains all files, applications and settings. (You will not lose any data while backup is a good idea) Below is a good guide to perform repair upgrade

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repai...

    Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

    Disclaimer - This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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