If you’re a developer working with Android, then you’ve probably encountered issues with Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This powerful tool allows you to communicate with and control your Android device from your computer. However, one of the most frustrating problems many users face is when their Windows ADB devices not working as expected. Whether it’s failing to detect a device or returning errors, troubleshooting ADB on Windows can be tricky. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into why Windows ADB devices not working, how to fix it, and what other ADB errors you might encounter along the way.
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Why Is ADB Devices Not Showing?
One of the most common issues Android developers and power users face is ADB not detecting devices. When Windows ADB devices not working, there are several factors that might be causing the issue. Below are some of the main reasons why ADB devices may not show up.
1. USB Debugging Not Enabled
Your Android device needs to have “USB Debugging” enabled for it to communicate with your computer. If you haven’t enabled USB Debugging, ADB won’t recognize your device. To enable this:
- Go to your Android device’s settings.
- Navigate to Developer Options.
- Toggle USB Debugging on.
If you can’t find Developer Options, go to Settings > About Phone, and tap Build Number seven times to unlock it.
2. Incorrect Drivers
Another common reason why Windows ADB devices not working is because of incorrect or missing drivers. Without the proper drivers installed on your Windows PC, ADB won’t be able to detect your device. Make sure to:
- Download the official Google USB Drivers.
- Ensure your phone’s specific manufacturer drivers (like Samsung or Xiaomi drivers) are installed.
3. Faulty USB Cable
Believe it or not, a faulty or low-quality USB cable can cause ADB devices not to show up. Always use a high-quality USB cable, preferably the one that came with your phone. If you suspect the cable is the issue, try switching to another one to check if Windows ADB devices not working persists.
4. Connection Mode
Your phone must be connected in File Transfer (MTP) mode for ADB to recognize it. When you connect your Android device to your PC, a notification might pop up asking you to choose between different connection modes (e.g., Charging only, MTP, PTP). Choose File Transfer.
Windows ADB Not Working? Here’s the Fix
When Windows ADB devices not working, it can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of a development task or trying to recover data from your phone. Below are some effective solutions to fix ADB issues on Windows:
1. Check if ADB is Properly Installed
The first step in fixing Windows ADB not working is ensuring that ADB is properly installed. Follow these steps to check:
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type
adb version. - If it returns an ADB version number, it’s installed correctly. If it doesn’t, you may need to reinstall the ADB package or Android SDK.
2. Update Android USB Drivers
As mentioned earlier, outdated or missing drivers are one of the most common reasons why Windows ADB devices not working. To fix this, update your Android USB drivers:
- Go to Device Manager in Windows.
- Locate your Android device under Portable Devices.
- Right-click on it and choose Update Driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers, and then select the correct driver location.
3. Restart ADB Server
If ADB is installed properly, but it still isn’t detecting your device, restarting the ADB server can solve the problem. Here’s how:
- Open Command Prompt and type
adb kill-serverto stop the ADB server. - Then, type
adb start-serverto restart it. - After that, reconnect your device and check if Windows ADB devices not working is resolved.
4. Check USB Connection Mode
As mentioned earlier, make sure your Android device is connected in File Transfer (MTP) mode and not just Charging Only. You can change this from the notification panel when you plug in your phone.
5. Use a Different USB Port
Sometimes, simply switching to a different USB port on your computer can resolve the issue. If you’re using a USB 3.0 port, try switching to a USB 2.0 port and vice versa. This can help fix the Windows ADB devices not working issue.
ADB Not Detecting Device
If ADB is not detecting your device, even after following the steps above, here are some additional solutions you can try to resolve the ADB not detecting device issue:
1. Use adb devices Command
You can check if your device is recognized by using the adb devices command:
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type
adb devices. - If your device is listed, then ADB is working. If it says List of devices attached and nothing else, it means that your device isn’t detected.
2. Reinstall ADB Drivers
If ADB not detecting device persists, you may need to reinstall ADB drivers:
- Go to Device Manager, locate your Android device under Portable Devices, and uninstall it.
- Disconnect your Android device, then reconnect it.
- Windows should automatically reinstall the necessary drivers. If it doesn’t, manually install them.
3. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
Sometimes, Windows’ security settings might block unsigned drivers, which could be causing the ADB not detecting device problem. To disable Driver Signature Enforcement:
- Restart your PC and press F8 before Windows boots up.
- Select Disable Driver Signature Enforcement from the advanced boot options.
- Reinstall the drivers and check if ADB now detects your device.
What Other ADB Errors Will Appear
While troubleshooting Windows ADB devices not working, you might come across other ADB-related errors. Here are some common ones and how to resolve them:
1. ADB “Unauthorized” Error
This error occurs when you connect your device, but ADB says it’s unauthorized. To fix this:
- On your Android device, a prompt will appear asking you to allow USB debugging.
- Tap Allow to authorize your computer.
2. ADB “Device Offline” Error
Sometimes ADB will detect your device, but it’s listed as offline. Here’s how to fix the ADB “Device Offline” error:
- Restart your Android device and PC.
- Disconnect and reconnect the device, making sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- If the issue persists, try using a different USB port or cable.
3. ADB “Command Not Found” Error
This error means ADB isn’t installed properly or isn’t recognized in your system’s environment variables. To fix it:
- Make sure ADB is installed in your SDK tools folder.
- Add the ADB path to your system’s Environment Variables by going to System Properties > Environment Variables > Path and adding the folder where ADB is installed.
Conclusion
Dealing with Windows ADB devices not working can be a frustrating experience, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can quickly resolve the issue. Whether it’s updating drivers, restarting the ADB server, or checking your USB connection mode, there are several methods to fix the problem. Now that you know how to resolve common ADB issues like ADB not detecting device or ADB errors like “unauthorized” or “device offline,” you’ll be better equipped to handle any ADB-related challenges that come your way. Keep this guide handy for the next time you run into problems with Windows ADB devices not working and get back to your development tasks with ease.
