Phone won't show files on PC with USB3 cable but works fine with USB2 cable

watdahel · Mar 31, 2025

I have a Samsung Note 9 smartphone with a USB-C 3.1 port. It has Android 10. When I connect it to PC via USB 3 cable to transfer pictures and videos Explorer displays most files as generic file icons while a few show the preview thumbnail. I can click and view a few of the files but the majority 99% I can't click and view the files or transfer anything in or out of either device. I've tried with two different USB 3 cables on different ports on the computer with same result. However, if I use a USB 2 cable then the files show up in Explorer with their respective preview thumbnails and I can view and transfer all files just fine. I really want the USB 3 speed since I've got 100 GB worth of pictures and videos to transfer. I'm on Windows 11. Anyone experience something similar?

mindless1 · Mar 31, 2025

Are the ones you can click and view, only media files? If so, go into the phone USB settings with the USB3 cable hooked up and see if it's in MTP transfer mode and if so, switch it to MSC mode.

Another alternative for the future is if it has a mSD card slot which I assume it does, store this type of thing on a mSD card then just pull the card and put in a USB card reader to transfer to the PC. I always do this anyway (use mSD storage when available) because if the phone dies, then the important files are on an easily removable memory card, and the card can be removed if you get jammed up at a border crossing.

watdahel · Apr 1, 2025

Yes it's in MTP mode. The ones I can click on are music files. I don't have MSC option. Also when I go to a folder I know has stuff in it it shows empty. I'm just trying to figure out if it's my computer hardware, Windows 11, or cable or phone that has the problem.

mindless1 · Apr 1, 2025

If you're seeing any files at all, it's not the cable. Have you tried this driver?

Samsung Android USB Driver | Samsung Developer

You need the driver only if you are developing on Windows and want to connect a Samsung Android device to your development environment over USB.

developer.samsung.com

Another possible workaround I saw online is old, but might be worth a try.

Unhide the Developer options menu:

Go to "Settings"
Tap "About device" or "About phone"
Tap “Software information”
Tap “Build number” seven times. ... if asked
Enter your pattern, PIN or password to enable the Developer options menu.
The "Developer Options" menu will now appear in your Settings menu.
In Developer Options, turn on USB Debugging

Samwu · May 27, 2025

I had the same problem before—turned out the USB 3.0 cable I used was charging-only. Switched to a proper USB 3.0 data cable and it worked fine. You might also want to check if your phone is set to "File Transfer (MTP)" mode after plugging it in.

watdahel · May 27, 2025

I've done all the suggestions above. The last thing I can think of is reformat my phone.

Ken g6 · Monday at 1:24 PM

There are other ways to transfer files besides USB. I use an SFTP server on my computer and an app called AndFTP to transfer files over WiFi. If your WiFi is fast the transfer should be fast.

Phone won't show files on PC with USB3 cable but works fine with USB2 cable

watdahel

Golden Member

mindless1

Diamond Member

watdahel

Golden Member

mindless1

Diamond Member

Samsung Android USB Driver | Samsung Developer

Samwu

Junior Member

watdahel

Golden Member

Ken g6

Programming Moderator, Elite Member

TRENDING THREADS