How to Fix Media Transfer Error by Upgrading Device Settings

Step 1: Reboot Your Devices

Often, temporary glitches can hinder connection between your devices.

Step 1: Unplug your smartphone from the USB cable.

Step 2: Restart your smartphone by pressing the power button and selecting the restart option.

Step 3: Restart your computer.

Step 4: When both devices are back online, connect them once more using the same USB cable.

Step 5: Check if the connection stabilizes by accessing your phone through the File Explorer under “ This PC.”

Pro Tip: Ensure your USB cable is in good condition for optimal data exchange.

Step 2: Adjust USB Preferences

Changing USB settings can help facilitate smoother transfers.

Step 1: Go to your phone’s Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to the “ About phone ” section.

Step 3: Tap on “ Software Information.”

Step 4: Locate and tap “ Build number ” multiple times to enable Developer Options.

Step 5: Go back to Settings and select “ Developer Options.”

Step 6: Switch “ USB Debugging ” to the “ On ” position.

Step 7: Confirm with “ OK ” when prompted.

Step 8: In Developer Options, find “ Default USB configuration ” and change it to “ Transferring files.”

Pro Tip: Ensure your phone’s software is up-to-date for improved compatibility.

Step 3: Ensure File Transfer Mode is Active

Proper transfer modes need to be established when connecting.

Step 1: Disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it to your computer.

Step 2: As soon as you do, a prompt should appear on your phone screen.

Step 3: Swipe down to access the Notification Center.

Step 4: Select “ Transferring media files via USB ” and change the mode to “ Transferring files/Android Auto.”

Pro Tip: Always check the notifications immediately after connecting to see if a prompt appears.

Step 4: Update MTP USB Driver

Outdated drivers can significantly impact connectivity.

Step 1: Connect your phone to your PC.

Step 2: Right-click the Windows icon and select “ Device Manager.”

Step 3: Expand the “ Portable Devices ” section.

Step 4: Right-click on your phone driver and choose “ Update driver.”

Step 5: Select “ Browse my computer for drivers.”

Step 6: Choose “ Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.”

Step 7: Ensure the “ Show compatible hardware ” is checked and select the MTP device.

Step 8: Click “ Next ” and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

Pro Tip: Regular driver updates boost file transfer capabilities.

Step 5: Refresh Your Photos App

Keeping your applications updated is crucial for functionality.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store on your PC.

Step 2: Navigate to the “ Library ” section.

Step 3: Check for updates for the “ Photos ” app.

Step 4: If an update is available, click “ Update.”

Pro Tip: Set your apps to auto-update for hassle-free management.

Step 6: Upgrade USB Drivers

Keeping your USB drivers updated ensures smooth data transfers.

Step 1: Click the Start button and type “ device ” to locate Device Manager.

Step 2: Expand the “ Universal Serial Bus controllers ” section.

Step 3: Right-click the first driver and select “ Update driver.”

Step 4: Choose “ Search automatically for drivers ” and repeat for all USB devices.

Pro Tip: Regularly check for driver updates to optimize performance.

Step 7: Utilize Nearby Share

If USB methods fail, consider wireless sharing options.

Step 1: Download the Quick Share application for Windows.

Step 2: Install the Quick Share for Windows application on your PC.

Step 3: Open your phone’s Gallery and select the files to share.

Step 4: Tap the Share icon and select “ Nearby Share.”

Step 5: Enable Bluetooth and Location services on your phone.

Step 6: On your PC, search for “ Quick Share ” and open the application.

Step 7: Sign in with your Google Account.

Step 8: Adjust settings to receive files from everyone.

Pro Tip: Using nearby share can be faster than USB for small file sizes.

Why does my phone need to be in “File Transfer” mode?

What should I do if none of these solutions work?