My Computer Doesn't Recognize My Android Phone (Samsung Galaxy/HTC/LG/Sony)

Content of the material

Solution 1: Check Your Phone Set
Video
Solution 3: Enable USB Debugging Mode
Solution 13: Delete Unwanted Files from Your Phone
Solution 6: Turn on Airplane mode
Part 5. Enable USB Debugging
Steps to Fix USB Device Not Recognized for Samsung
Part 2. Check or Update Your Computer
Solution 3. Install Necessary Kit for Windows 10 to Fix Android Not Detected Problem
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Solution 1: Check Your Phone Set

First, you have to make sure that the physical connection is working. When your Android phone is plugged in, look for a USB icon on the row of icons at the top of the phone’s screen. If you cannot find your phone, you should:

Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
Go down to Plug and Play and see if the status of it is “Started”. If it isn’t, right click it then select Properties.
Set the “Startup Type” to Automatic then hit the Start button in order to start that service.
Hit Apply > OK and then you can exit.

Video

Solution 3: Enable USB Debugging Mode

When nothing works, debug mode DOES work most of the time. This is the mode intended for developers. It allows you to directly access your phone, transfer and install apps without notification. To activate debug mode, follow steps below:

For Android 2.3 or earlier: Enter “Settings” < Click “Applications” < Click “Development” < Check “USB debugging”.

For Android 3.0 to 4.1: Enter “Settings” < Click “Developer options” < Check “USB debugging”.

Solution 13: Delete Unwanted Files from Your Phone

Sometimes the external and phone memory of your device is full. This also hampers its connectivity with a computer since no memory is left to raise a connection request and process it. Therefore, you can delete the unwanted files from your phone.

Deleting cache and memory from media storage files also help in such cases as some of the storage space is cleared immediately. Follow these steps to delete cache and data from your phone:

Step 1: Tap on the ‘Settings’ option of your phone, and go to the ‘Apps’ section.
Step 2: Open the ‘System Apps’ by tapping on the rightmost corner of the phone.
Step 3: Now, choose ‘External Storage and Media Storage App’ and clear the cache and data.
Step 4: Restart your device once you have deleted cache and data.
Step 5: Connect your device with the PC and check whether your computer is recognizing it.

Solution 6: Turn on Airplane mode

Some users had tried switching on the Airplane mode on Android, and it was successfully recognized by the computer and they managed to transfer files without any problem. So that you can try this trick and just turn off the Airplane mode after finishing file transfer.

Part 5. Enable USB Debugging

It is another way to make your Android phone be recognized by the computer. First, you need to download the FoneCope Phone Manager Then start the software to enable the USB debugging. Follow the steps below:

1. For Android 2.3 or earlier: Enter "Settings" < Click "Applications" < Click "Development" < Check "USB debugging".

2. For Android 3.0 to 4.1: Enter "Settings" < Click "Developer options" < Check "USB debugging".

3. For Android 4.2 or newer: Enter "Settings" < Click "About Phone" < Tap "Build number" for several times until getting a note "You are under developer mode" < Back to "Settings" < Click "Developer options" < Check "USB debugging".

After enabling USB debugging on your device, you can successfully connect your Android to PC. Phone manager, not only allows you to do USB debugging, but also allows you to transfer photos and videos from Samsung to PC. If you are curious, you can download the free trail version from below and have a try.

Steps to Fix USB Device Not Recognized for Samsung

At first, check whether the computer recognizes your Samsung phone or not. Use our guide for the same:

How to Install Samsung USB Drivers on PC

If it doesn’t work and your PC still shows ‘USB Device Not Recognized’ error, then proceed further.
To remove the error ‘USB Device Not Recognized’, download and extract the Samsung USB Drivers file given below:

Download Samsung USB Drivers for Mobile phones

Extract the file on the Desktop of your computer.

If your Samsung phone connects to your PC, disconnect it.
Now go to the Control Panel of your PC.
Click on ‘Uninstall a Program’ option.

Now you need to Uninstall any Samsung USB drivers which you might have installed before.
So search for the Samsung Drivers and double click on it.

Click on the Remove option to initiate the Un-installation process.

Now on your PC, right-click on My Computer and select the ‘Manage’ option.

The Computer Management screen will popup.
Then select the Device Manager option.

Now switch off your Samsung phone and then boot it into Download Mode.
For doing that, press and hold the ‘Volume Down key + Home button (middle button) + Power key’ simultaneously until you see a warning message.
As soon as you see the warning message leave all the keys.

Note: This method of booting into Download mode is nearly the same for all Samsung devices. If your device does not have a Home button, just press and hold the Power button and Volume down key.
Now on your device, press the Volume up button to continue. This will directly land your Samsung phone into downloading mode.

On your PC, if the driver installation process starts, stop it by clicking on the Close button.

Then look for your phone mentioned in the Device Manager.

In my case, it is shown as ‘Gadget Serial’ with a yellow exclamation mark.

So Right-click on it and select the ‘Update driver software’ option.

As you click on it, a window will popup.

Click on the ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option.

Note: On the next window, make sure that the ‘Include Subfolders’ option is Ticked.

Then click on the Browse option.

On the next window, find the folder where you’ve extracted the Samsung USB drivers file.
It should be on your Desktop.

Select the folder and click on OK.

Now click on Next to begin the installation.

As it completes, click on the Close button.
Note: It may happen that after installation, a new ‘Unknown’ device would appear in the Device Manager. In my case, it shows as ‘Gadget Serial Control’.

So you need to install drivers for this device too and for any subsequent devices that could appear.
Right-click the Gadget Serial Control and select Update driver software option.

Then select ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option.

On the next screen, click on Next (since your Drivers package folder would be already selected).

Wait until the installation completes.

That’s all! The Samsung USB drivers are successfully updated.
To confirm the same, check the Device Manager under the Modems tab.

Now you won’t face the ‘USB Device Not Recognized’ Error on your computer.

Part 2. Check or Update Your Computer

If your computer system is too old, it will cause computer doesn't recognize phone. Then you can update your system. In order to avoid computer issue, let's go to check it:

1. Start < and to right-click Computer< click Properties on your computer.

2. Click Device Manager and then click your computer name at the top of the window.

3. Click Scan for hardware changes on the Action menu. Then your Phone should be listed under "Portable Devices."

4. You can double-click the device and view the General tab.

5. Check the device status to confirm whether the device is working correctly or not.

Already the latest version? It doesn't matter, please use the next solution to solve phone won't connect to computer issue.

Solution 3. Install Necessary Kit for Windows 10 to Fix Android Not Detected Problem

If you encounter Android USB not recognizing problem after Windows 10 upgrade, you’ll need to install some missing files to help Windows 10 recognize your Android phone as MTP device. The following two might help. Media Transfer Protocol Porting Kit Media Feature Pack Notice: Check more tips about Windows 10 doesn’t recognize Android.