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[Q] Pixel 2 won't charge or allow data transfer over USB C

The title was supposed to say C-C
As in the title really; When I plug the phone into my laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad L450) with a C-C cable, the following happens.
Some key points in trying to diagnose the issue:
Used three different C-C cables including the one that comes in the box
Tried a USB 3.0 A-C cable on the same laptop, works perfectly
Plugged a HTC 10 into the same port with the same cables, allows fast charging and 3.1 transfer rates
I have been into 'Developer Settings' and changed 'Select USB Configuration' to 'Charging',
Can anyone help, or is anyone experiencing a similar issue? I really don't want to have to RMA this.

for charging i cant really help but for data transfer try enabling usb debugging and getting the right drivers for the pixel 2. also connect as MTP for data transfer.
havent tried any of this myself as i dont need to transfer my files yet and theres no roms either but let me know if it works.
good luck!

I have kind of the same issue - while mine charges, it doesn't recognize the phone for MTP at all. Tried both the cable that came with the device, and the 5x cable I've been using since February. My husband's 5x is recognized, my Pixel 2 isn't. Have to use a USB-C to USB-A cable to do any data transfers.
This ticks me off, because I have 2 USB-C ports on my laptop. One that's a USB-C/Thunderbolt port (which always worked with the 5x), and the other that's just USC-C with USB 3.0 capability, which has my USB hub plugged into it. The hub won't work with the C/TB port, and now neither will the Pixel 2. So I either have to grab my C to A cable to load music and use ADB, or plug into the hub's port, losing my external keyboard, mouse, external HDD, printer, and Wacom tablet.
vido.ardes, is your C port Thunderbolt as well?

vido.ardes said:
The title was supposed to say C-C
As in the title really; When I plug the phone into my laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad L450) with a C-C cable, the following happens.
Some key points in trying to diagnose the issue:
Used three different C-C cables including the one that comes in the box
Tried a USB 3.0 A-C cable on the same laptop, works perfectly
Plugged a HTC 10 into the same port with the same cables, allows fast charging and 3.1 transfer rates
I have been into 'Developer Settings' and changed 'Select USB Configuration' to 'Charging',
Can anyone help, or is anyone experiencing a similar issue? I really don't want to have to RMA this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted my problem on the Google Product forums, and got this answer. It worked for me.
"Nikhil Rastogi said:
Hi all,
I just faced this issue. Connected my Pixel to my PC, no indication of connection either on PC or on Phone, except that the phone was charging. Even the file explorer on Windows 10 wasn't displaying Pixel as a connected device.
I found a solution, I hope it works for you all,
Go to Settings->Apps & notifications->App info->Tap 3 dots in top right corner->Tap 'Show system'.
Then find 'External storage' and 'Media storage' apps in the list and clear cache and data for both these apps. Restart your phone and wait 5-10 minutes before connecting the phone to your PC.
After connecting, the phone should now show 'USB connected for charging', as it did in Nougat. You can tap that notification and select file transfer."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the exact steps I did on the Pixel 2:
Settings>Apps & notifications>See all 125 apps>3 dot menu>Show System>Media Storage>Storage>Clear Data (this got the cache, as well)>Back>Back>External Storage>Storage>Clear Data.
Then I plugged it into the C/TB port, and the computer made the "USB Connected" noise, and "USB Debugging" came up in my phone's notifications (yes, I've enabled developer options and USB debugging there.) I'm then able to go into Settings>Connected Devices>USB and choose Transfer Files.

I just cleared the cache, not data for both and it worked.

krelvinaz said:
I just cleared the cache, not data for both and it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you can connect to your PC, is there any way I could get you or some other kind soul, to pull the system/framework folder and system/priv-app/SystemUIGoogle folder for me? The system.img files cannot be unpacked at this time. Every method tried gives "List index out of bounds" error.

Danariel said:
I posted my problem on the Google Product forums, and got this answer. It worked for me.
These are the exact steps I did on the Pixel 2:
Settings>Apps & notifications>See all 125 apps>3 dot menu>Show System>Media Storage>Storage>Clear Data (this got the cache, as well)>Back>Back>External Storage>Storage>Clear Data.
Then I plugged it into the C/TB port, and the computer made the "USB Connected" noise, and "USB Debugging" came up in my phone's notifications (yes, I've enabled developer options and USB debugging there.) I'm then able to go into Settings>Connected Devices>USB and choose Transfer Files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately no change for me. I fear I may have to RMA this, which I really don't want to have to do.

I have found on my other devices, that if I reboot to recovery mode, my computer can then read the file folders in my device.

This appears to be an issue with the laptop, not the phone, as it works on another PC with a USB-C port

Pixel3 not visible to PC (USB Transfer mode)

I am using my USB to USB-C Cable form my Nexus 5X, which works flawlessly with that one.
With the Pixel, however, I don't get it showing up in Transfer mode (as a drive).
When using PTP mode it becomes visible, but of course only showing picture folders.
Cable works 100% fine as far as I know, also with the Tool-All-In-One etc.
Any idea how enable USB-Transfers from PC to Pixel3?

fronten said:
I am using my USB to USB-C Cable form my Nexus 5X, which works flawlessly with that one.
With the Pixel, however, I don't get it showing up in Transfer mode (as a drive).
When using PTP mode it becomes visible, but of course only showing picture folders.
Cable works 100% fine as far as I know, also with the Tool-All-In-One etc.
Any idea how enable USB-Transfers from PC to Pixel3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the pixel3 is connected did you look in the settings to see what USB mode is selected? You might need to change the mode to File Transfer. Also you have to unlock the phone after connecting it before it shows up. I'm not near a computer so I can't give the exact details.
EDIT: When the phone is connected go to Settings/Connected Devices/USB. Then in the section "Use USB for" make sure File Transfer is selected.

Thank you for the reply.
There's a "Yes" to all of that: USB mode is "Transfer Files", set directly via Setting but also checked on unlocked screen.
PC explorer shows Pixel3 in PTP mode (images folders only), which vanishes completely when switching to file transfer mode.
With Pixel 3 we are able to change which device controls USB connection, - i can't change this for this connection, it stays in "This device" (P3), "other device" (does this mean PC?) fails and reverts to "this device".
Is this a setting relevant only for Phone-to-Phone connections?

My Pixel 3 is doing this now with Android Auto after I got the February update. I can't change USB mode and Android Auto only launches on my phone instead of my car head unit. If I try to manually change the the USB mode to anything other than charging it immediately resets like nothing happened. If I change the control type to "other device" it reverts to "this device" and grays out the option.
I have tried a few cables, two different cars, and enabling USB Debugging but nothing helps. I think Google did this and we might have to wait on a fix.

As a follow-up, I've seen some people with this issue fix it by getting a USB C cable that is 65 ohm, or getting a USB 3.1 SS+ cable. I have one on order and will update when I receive it.

zeropants said:
As a follow-up, I've seen some people with this issue fix it by getting a USB C cable that is 65 ohm, or getting a USB 3.1 SS+ cable. I have one on order and will update when I receive it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
So this is a confirmation that this indeed is a bug needing some fix?
I did a quick look around and couldn't really find such a cable - what would I search for specifically?
I did not get confidently lucky with 65 ohm, USB 3.1 or SS+ terms..
(Also, i am quite sour about Google not including an USBCtoA connector.)

fronten said:
Thank you!
So this is a confirmation that this indeed is a bug needing some fix?
I did a quick look around and couldn't really find such a cable - what would I search for specifically?
I did not get confidently lucky with 65 ohm, USB 3.1 or SS+ terms..
(Also, i am quite sour about Google not including an USBCtoA connector.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my view it's a bug, but I don't have much to confirm with, just personal experience. I'm going to re-check Apple Carplay too to make sure it's not a vehicle fault.

Another failure.
So far I've tried 4 cables, including a USB-C 3.1 cable. I've tried 2 different cars with Android Auto support. No combination has enabled AA on the cars head unit.
I plugged my Pixel 3 into a laptop work USB 3 support and it connected to file transfer.
As a follow up, my wife's iPhone XR connects to Car Play almost instantly.

I found out my issue is specifically with Android Auto, and I have since fixed it. I had to remove all system updates to Android Auto and let it update and setup from scratch.

I finally managed to get my Pixel 3 recognized for file transfer.
Device manager showed a problem with the Portable Device - MTP device (yellow attention sign). I tried to update that driver, failing, even with the one from google directly .
However, i got the hint that missing system update (Windows) might be the culprit.
So I checked, installed the 2 it showed, and .. .. Pixel 3 showed up in device and file manager.

Android USB file transfer no longer working?

Hi, it seems like the function to transfer files via USB is not working anymore with my phone, last time I transferred files was 2 months ago.
-Under Advanced Developer Options, "USB configuration" is set to "MTP"
-Tried with different cables to PC which used to work.
-Tried with OTG wire to read USB flash drive that used to work. (flash drive has light when plugged in PC, doesn't have light on when using OTG, no notification in Android that something has been plugged in)
-Tried turning on/off the phone.
-The only thing that work is charging phone.
What I believe is either one of the two following reason:
-Some setting changed and that's why it's not working.
-Port is now defective.
I don't remember changing any setting or downloading any new app in the last two months. Do you guys know anything else I can try or a solution? Thanks

petitpetitpom said:
Hi, it seems like the function to transfer files via USB is not working anymore with my phone, last time I transferred files was 2 months ago.
....
I don't remember changing any setting or downloading any new app in the last two months. Do you guys know anything else I can try or a solution? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it looks like the port is damaged (if file transfer doesn't work in any way possible)
Maybe try to go get it fixed by a local qtore, and if you have nothing around, try to check if the brand doesn't repair those things for cheap.
Hope I helped

petitpetitpom said:
Hi, it seems like the function to transfer files via USB is not working anymore with my phone, last time I transferred files was 2 months ago.
-Under Advanced Developer Options, "USB configuration" is set to "MTP"
-Tried with different cables to PC which used to work.
-Tried with OTG wire to read USB flash drive that used to work. (flash drive has light when plugged in PC, doesn't have light on when using OTG, no notification in Android that something has been plugged in)
-Tried turning on/off the phone.
-The only thing that work is charging phone.
What I believe is either one of the two following reason:
-Some setting changed and that's why it's not working.
-Port is now defective.
I don't remember changing any setting or downloading any new app in the last two months. Do you guys know anything else I can try or a solution? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try cleaning the port, sometimes, a combination of lint and dust gets compacted into the port and prevents the cable from making a good connection.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Thank you for your replies, I cleaned the port but sadly, it still doesn't work and quotes to repair this problem are expensive.
An alternative I found is to transfer my files to PC is via bluetooth to my PC via a USB adapter, seems cheaper.

petitpetitpom said:
Thank you for your replies, I cleaned the port but sadly, it still doesn't work and quotes to repair this problem are expensive.
An alternative I found is to transfer my files to PC is via bluetooth to my PC via a USB adapter, seems cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup that's a solution
Hopefully it'll be a sustainable solution
Have good day

Can't connect to Windows 10 PC?

For some reason I can't connect my Pixel 4a to my PC with a USB C - USB A cable (or USB A - USB C, not sure what the official name is) , even though it worked fine on my previous phone.
Included with the phone is a USB C - USB A adapter, but I see no use for it unless you have a special USB A cable which I don't.
My motherboard does have a USB C slot on it and it does read my phone when I plug it in that way but for some weird reason it's really loose and doesn't stay connected unless I keep physical pressure on it.
I'm not going to update to Android 11 until the November update because I've heard the current build has a few bugs, but does anyone know if Android 11 fixed the USB C - USB A issue?

Have you made sure to switch to file transfer mode? It defaults to 'no transfer' mode when I plug into my laptop.

Most likely you need to toggle the phone connection settings to data transfer, originally it will be set to charge only I think.

WAusJackBauer said:
For some reason I can't connect my Pixel 4a to my PC with a USB C - USB A cable (or USB A - USB C, not sure what the official name is) , even though it worked fine on my previous phone.
Included with the phone is a USB C - USB A adapter, but I see no use for it unless you have a special USB A cable which I don't.
My motherboard does have a USB C slot on it and it does read my phone when I plug it in that way but for some weird reason it's really loose and doesn't stay connected unless I keep physical pressure on it.
I'm not going to update to Android 11 until the November update because I've heard the current build has a few bugs, but does anyone know if Android 11 fixed the USB C - USB A issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this issue too. Windows file explorer would just crash after one or two files and stop transfer, no matter the size and type. (Yes I had file transfer selected on my phone ?)
Then windows update gave me a driver called "Google Inc. - Other Hardware - Kedacom KDB Composite Interface". I also updated to the newest firmware on the phone. No idea which of these did the trick or if it was the combo. However. Smooth sailing now ??
Hope this helps
(If windows update refuses to give you the driver, you can get it from Microsoft's update catalogue online. A Google search will do)

Ok it's completely messed up. When I search for USB settings it doesn't let me change anything at all, even though when I first got the phone I could and I changed it to transfer files. EDIT: No actually the setting that I changed was a developer option called "Default USB configuration" which I changed to transfer files but that still did nothing.
I just plugged in my phone and looked for the USB setting in the notification area but it wasn't there, but I noticed an option called "manage"
I went in there and noticed this. (see attachments) it's locked to be off and I can't change it. Very odd.

WAusJackBauer said:
Ok it's completely messed up. When I search for USB settings it doesn't let me change anything at all, even though when I first got the phone I could and I changed it to transfer files. EDIT: No actually the setting that I changed was a developer option called "Default USB configuration" which I changed to transfer files but that still did nothing.
I just plugged in my phone and looked for the USB setting in the notification area but it wasn't there, but I noticed an option called "manage"
I went in there and noticed this. (see attachments) it's locked to be off and I can't change it. Very odd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're in notification settings. Try short tapping rather than long tapping to get the menu to pop up allowing you to select data transfer.
Changing default USB settings in developer options doesn't work for me either.

GoldElocks said:
You're in notification settings. Try short tapping rather than long tapping to get the menu to pop up allowing you to select data transfer.
Changing default USB settings in developer options doesn't work for me either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My point is that the notification that normally comes up when you plug in your phone to a computer to change to data transfer, charge only ect ect isn't even coming up because the firmware is stopping that notification from coming up altogether and I can't change it so it does.

WAusJackBauer said:
My point is that the notification that normally comes up when you plug in your phone to a computer to change to data transfer, charge only ect ect isn't even coming up because the firmware is stopping that notification from coming up altogether and I can't change it so it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost certainly a cable or host port issue. Swap cables and see what happens. Same for hosts/host ports. You're not going to have toggling options if the phone does not 'see' all expected lines/pins.

I had the same issue and changed to a different cord to fix the problem.

You have an non certified cable it seems, I've confirmed this pixel 4a works with only certain cables for usb transfer, also the usb a to c cable you have will not charge the device as well.
Get a cable from know manufacturers like Samsung, it worked for me.

Yeah turns out it was a cable. Strange how my cable worked with my old phone but not with the Pixel 4a

Had this issue with my new 4a just now. Cable was fine, even used the new cable that comes with it using a Usb C to Usb A adapter. Nothing worked. Upon opening Device Manager I found a new device called 'Kedacom USB Device'. After trying random things, I decided to uninstall the current drivers by right clicking on it and clicking 'Uninstall device'. Suddenly the phone connected, and even showed the adb prompt.
So for anyone still facing this issue, hopefully this solution might help

Can't get usb debugging working

Phone is rooted and on android 10 and xxxnolimits installed
I connected phone to pc and only charging. Tried 3 different cables, including official one and 3 different USB ports and not showing on pc. I can hear noise it's connected to pc but then another noise to disconnect
Usb debugging is enabled and default usb configuration I can change to file transfer, usb tethering , midi, ptp & no data transfer. I changed it to each of them still not showing
There is no option to choose mtb from drop down notification no notification is there
I rebooted phone and pc and cleared cache. Also i app settings allowed notifications.
I'm at the end of my tether trying to figure out what issue is as was working previously.
Now all its doing is charging
Any suggestions

funkyirishman said:
Phone is rooted and on android 10 and xxxnolimits installed
I connected phone to pc and only charging. Tried 3 different cables, including official one and 3 different USB ports and not showing on pc. I can hear noise it's connected to pc but then another noise to disconnect
Usb debugging is enabled and default usb configuration I can change to file transfer, usb tethering , midi, ptp & no data transfer. I changed it to each of them still not showing
There is no option to choose mtb from drop down notification no notification is there
I rebooted phone and pc and cleared cache. Also i app settings allowed notifications.
I'm at the end of my tether trying to figure out what issue is as was working previously.
Now all its doing is charging
Any suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the latest fastboot-adb platform tools installed? Just a thought.

Will check
However usb notification drop down not coming up on phone to change settings when I plug phone into port.
Also plugged phone into USB port of car for android auto and not picking it up

If I restore a backup would that be worth trying or does issue seems to be with usb port on phone?

funkyirishman said:
If I restore a backup would that be worth trying or does issue seems to be with usb port on phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try uninstalling and reinstalling usb google drivers on your pc ( or your appropriate driver's for your phone).
Install OEM USB drivers | Android Studio | Android Developers
Discover links to the web sites for several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), where you can download the appropriate USB driver for your device.
developer.android.com

Are you talking about usb drivers?
I installed this one
OnePlus USB Drivers | Official
Download the latest version of OnePlus USB Driver for your OnePlus smartphone. OnePlus USB Drivers helps your OnePlus smartphone to communicate properly with your computer.
oneplususbdrivers.com
Still not working
Phone not showing up in device manager

Also tried the below and phone just keeps on rebooting
in Developer option > USB debugging ON
turn off phone
connect cable
turn ON phone
Still looking for a solution

Tried cable on old one plus 5 and it's working fine on pc
So must be phone
Any suggestions on what to try