Hello, I'm having a problem with my Motorola Moto G 6 Play, and was hoping I could get assistance here.

I've hooked up the phone to my PC, which has the current version of Windows 10 on it.  I'm unable to transfer files from the phone to the PC.

In the past, I've never had a problem.  I tap the option in the system bar at the top of the screen, then I tapped Transfer Files. A sound came from the PC, and a window popped up that said the device was recognized.  I'd go into Windows Explorer, select the phone, and take things from there.

I can't do that now, for some reason.  When I connect the phone to the PC via USB cable, nothing happens.  Well, the phone charges, but I can't get the system bar to display, I don't hear a sound, and I don't see a notification screen on my desktop. The phone is not recognized in Explorer.

I've tried three USB cables, and I've plugged the phone into all of the USB ports on the front and back of the computer.  I've rebooted the phone, and I've rebooted the PC.  Nothing.

I even tried installing the Motorola Device Manager.  That did nothing.

Is there anything else I can do or try to get the phone to sync up with the PC?  The PC is several years old, but I never had a problem transferring files until today.

Thank you.   J. Danniel

@ tatihulot wrote:
 

 

Hello, I'm having a problem with my Motorola Moto G 6 Play, and was hoping I could get assistance here.

 

I've hooked up the phone to my PC, which has the current version of Windows 10 on it.  I'm unable to transfer files from the phone to the PC.

 

In the past, I've never had a problem.  I tap the option in the system bar at the top of the screen, then I tapped Transfer Files. A sound came from the PC, and a window popped up that said the device was recognized.  I'd go into Windows Explorer, select the phone, and take things from there.

 

I can't do that now, for some reason.  When I connect the phone to the PC via USB cable, nothing happens.  Well, the phone charges, but I can't get the system bar to display, I don't hear a sound, and I don't see a notification screen on my desktop. The phone is not recognized in Explorer.

 

I've tried three USB cables, and I've plugged the phone into all of the USB ports on the front and back of the computer.  I've rebooted the phone, and I've rebooted the PC.  Nothing.

 

I even tried installing the Motorola Device Manager.  That did nothing.

 

Is there anything else I can do or try to get the phone to sync up with the PC?  The PC is several years old, but I never had a problem transferring files until today.

Thank you.   J. Danniel

Hello J. Danniel. Let's see if we can help figure out what's going on. You did the right thing by trying different USB cables. Have you tried a diffrent USB port on your computer? If so, and it's still not working then it might be something going on with the port on the phone. Look in the USB port on the phone and make sure there isn't any dust or debris and if so clean it out, don't use anything metal or compressed air. Try to be as gentle as possible to avoid damanging it. Unfourtantely, if the port looks clean it might be a sign that there is a hardware problem. At that point, you'd likely have to have the device serviced/repaired. Let me know what you find out and if you need further assistance.

-Tom

Did you try these Motorola USB drivers?

https://androidmtk.com/download-motorola-usb-drivers

and then,

Thank you to everyone who's replied.  Please let me update you on what's going on.

First, I installed the Motorola Device Manager.  That didn't seem to help.  

So, what I did next was blast the port on the phone with some compressed air.  Then, I plugged the USB cable back in.  Nothing happened.

My next step was to jiggle the plug, to see if maybe the connection is loose.  That seemed to work, but it wasn't easy.  I had to wiggle the plug, and just when the phone got recognized by my PC, the connection was lost.  So, I had to keep wiggling and pushing down on the cable until the connection held on long enough for me to tap the menu and get File Transfer.

Then, something weird happened.  Windows Explorer displayed an icon that said MTP USB DEVICE.    Up until this week, whenever I connected my phone to my PC, the icon said Motorola G6 Play.

I have no trouble charging the phone, but I have to play with the cable in order to transfer files.    My best guess is the port is loosening up, or something to that effect.  I'm having the same, identical issues with all three USB cables, so I'm seriously doubting it's the cables.  It must be the port.

Now, the question is, why is it possible to charge the phone with these cables, but I have to work to get the PC to recognize the phone?   

I'm also worried that the more I play and fiddle with the cables and the port, the less secure the connection will be in the future.   Ultimately, it's not a very big deal, but I hope it doesn't get worse.

Thanks again, everyone.  

@ tatihulot wrote:
 

 

Thank you to everyone who's replied.  Please let me update you on what's going on.

 

First, I installed the Motorola Device Manager.  That didn't seem to help.  

 

So, what I did next was blast the port on the phone with some compressed air.  Then, I plugged the USB cable back in.  Nothing happened.

 

My next step was to jiggle the plug, to see if maybe the connection is loose.  That seemed to work, but it wasn't easy.  I had to wiggle the plug, and just when the phone got recognized by my PC, the connection was lost.  So, I had to keep wiggling and pushing down on the cable until the connection held on long enough for me to tap the menu and get File Transfer.

 

Then, something weird happened.  Windows Explorer displayed an icon that said MTP USB DEVICE.    Up until this week, whenever I connected my phone to my PC, the icon said Motorola G6 Play.

 

I have no trouble charging the phone, but I have to play with the cable in order to transfer files.    My best guess is the port is loosening up, or something to that effect.  I'm having the same, identical issues with all three USB cables, so I'm seriously doubting it's the cables.  It must be the port.

 

Now, the question is, why is it possible to charge the phone with these cables, but I have to work to get the PC to recognize the phone?   

 

I'm also worried that the more I play and fiddle with the cables and the port, the less secure the connection will be in the future.   Ultimately, it's not a very big deal, but I hope it doesn't get worse.

 

Thanks again, everyone.  

What you're describing is a failing USB port on the phone. There are little pins on the USB port in the phone that handle things like charging and data transfer. If one of the data pins is damaged or has broken connection with the mainboard, it will not work for data connection, but the charging pins might be fine. Jiggling the cable might be making the pin make contact briefly allowing the connection. I would highly recommend having the device serviced/repaired.

-Tom

Hi Tom, thank you for responding again.

It might be easier and more convenient to get a new phone.   I really don't want to get a new phone, because I don't transfer files often.  However, if it reaches a point where charging it might be an issue, then I'd rather do it sooner than later.  

Just out of curiosity, though...if it's possible for you to answer this question...in general, on the average, how old are phones whose USB port wears out to the point where servicing is necessary?

Thank you again.  I appreciate your assistance.

@ tatihulot wrote:
 

 

Hi Tom, thank you for responding again.

 

It might be easier and more convenient to get a new phone.   I really don't want to get a new phone, because I don't transfer files often.  However, if it reaches a point where charging it might be an issue, then I'd rather do it sooner than later.  

 

Just out of curiosity, though...if it's possible for you to answer this question...in general, on the average, how old are phones whose USB port wears out to the point where servicing is necessary?

 

Thank you again.  I appreciate your assistance.

 

I really can't answer the question. There is no average given time. There are too many variables. Worn out cables can damage a USB port, the number of times you plug/un-plug, any potential drops while plugged in, any type of dirt or debries getting into the port, etc. There are way too many ways a port can go bad. If you choose to go with a new phone, if it has micro-USB connection, make sure you look at your old cables. There should be two tiny pins (See photo) if those are flat and not sticking up then your cable should also be replaced. 

Let me know if you need any other assistance. We'll be here to help however we can.

-Tom

I can't believe the outlandish answers you got here. It's a simple menu choice on your phone you have to do each time you connect to the PC now. Yeah, it used to work automatically, but some Android update made that stop. do not go buy a new phone! Geez!

Go to Settings->Connected devices->Connection Preferences->USB, then pick "File Transfer".

More detailed: The default on Connection Preferences will say bluetooth, but just click on those words, and you'll see "USB, charging device". Click on that "USB" text to change from the default "Charging" to "File Transfer". That assumes you want to use the phone to control what is happening. You can instead pick the option (in that USB control area) to allow the connected device (your PC) to control what happens. I haven't done that. I suspect that used to be the default and your computer would take over & let you navigate from there.

Good Luck!