How To Fix Android Phone Not Showing Up On PC Issue

One of the quickest methods to transfer content from your Android phone to a PC or vice versa is by connection both devices using a USB cord. Most of the time the connection will work seamlessly however there are instances when the computer will not recognize the phone. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Android phone not showing up on PC issue.

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How To Fix Android Phone Not Showing Up On PC Issue

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer and Android phone first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

Try using a different USB cord

One of the common factors that can cause this problem is a faulty USB cord which is why you should eliminate this possibility first.

  • Connect your phone to the computer using a different USB cord.
  • Try connecting the phone to a different USB port.

Check if the Android phone not showing up on PC issue still occurs.

Clean the USB port

Dirt or debris that could be stuck in the computer USB port can prevent any connection to be made between the phone and the computer. To  check if this is what’s causing the problem you should inspect the USB port of the computer and phone and if you find any debris present you can remove this using a toothpick. 

Check if the Android phone not showing up on PC issue still occurs.

Check the connection mode

When you connect the Android phone to your computer there will be several connection modes available. Make sure to choose MTP, Transfer Files, or Device File Manager.

  • Plug in your device to your PC.
  • On your phone, pull down the notification windows and select the MTP select. Depending on the manufacturer, this option may have different names like Transfer files or Device File Manager.

Check if the Android phone not showing up on PC issue still occurs.

Update the MTP driver

You should check if the phone is correctly identified by your computer. Go to the Control Panel and proceed to Devices and Printers. If you manage to locate the name of your Android device, the MTP connection is working properly. If your device is named MTP or Unspecified, you’ll need to update some drivers.

  • Right-click on the Start button then click on Device Manager.
  • Expand Portable devices and see if your device is located there. If it doesn’t contain your device’s real name or it has a yellow exclamation mark, right-click on it and tap on Update Driver.
  • The Update Driver window will now ask you to either search for the driver automatically or to browse your computer manually for it. Choose the latter.
  • Click on “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”.
  • Click on MTP USB Device to highlight it and then click Next.
  • The old driver should be replaced with a new one. Wait until the process finishes. Your Android device should now be seen as a multimedia device in File Manager.

Check if the Android phone not showing up on PC issue still occurs.


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