No phone detection when I connect Xperia X Compact to Computer

[CallMeBrian]

Hi,  the storage is almost full on my Xperia X Compact and I need to transfer files to a computer.   When I connect the phone to my computer the phone charges (so there is connectivity) but Windows does not detect the phone or the Micro SD card like it used to.

I'm using the original OEM USB cable (and have also tried a different android USB cable with a USB Type C Connector added)

Have tried multiple USB ports.

Have tried on pc with Windows 10, and two pc's with Windows 7. 

In Settings under Device Connection > USB Connectivity I have it  "install software for managing content on your Xperia from a computer" turned on.   (but no software installs)

I don't see the phone detected in Device Manager

I tried most of the steps in this help article: https://support.sonymobile.com/gb/xperiaxcompact/faq/the-phone-doesnt-appear-on-the-computer-when-it...

(but I couldn't figure out how to "clear the data in the Media Storage system app on your device"

What else can I do?  Any other settings on the phone to verify?

Thanks!

[Strampke]

You did install the USB driver.

When you connect you should see a window pop up on your screen (phone screen)

In that screen you have to reaffirm that you do not want to charge and tap file transfer (or something like that)

[CallMeBrian]

I don't see any window pop-up to affirm that I want to charge or transfer files. I know the window you are talking about as I used to always see that window, but that is not popping up anymore on any of the computers that I have tried. And I don't see the phone detected at all as a device in device manager like I used to. I don't know what's going on but I'm frustrated because my device is maxed out on space and I need to make some room.

Thanks for your help but I need some more suggestions please!

[CallMeBrian]

To be clear, I don't see a message pop up on my phone about being connected to the computer and asking me if I want to transfer files, and I also don't see any window pop up on the computer like I used to. Something has changed. Thank you.

[Strampke]

Your phone does charge normal?

If it didn't it could be possible that the USB connector was broken.

[andrewteg]

I'm having the same issue with no pop up screen or notification like on my other phones using the same cables and computers.

The Sony Xperia X Compact will light up orange like it's charging when I plug it into a Windows 7 or Windows 10 computer, but will not give me any sort of notification or screen to switch to file transfer.

I have installed the Xperia Companion software from https://support.sonymobile.com/us/xperia-companion/ and it simply says "Please connect your Xperia to the computer with a USB cable" whether it's plugged in or not.  I've restarted and gone through the same instruction list referenced above as well.

Are there any other settings I can change or update on the phone or computer?  I'll probably buy a new cable and try that and report back unless there are other ideas to try!

[andrewteg]

Tried with a brand new Belkin cable (lost our Sony cable that came with the phone) and 3 computers (2 Windows 10 and a Windows 7) and still got nothing. I tried the same PC USB ports with my Moto G4 (on Android 7/Nouget) with a few different micro USB cables and it worked great on all computers so I don't think it's Windows.

We had disabled a couple apps when we first got the Xperia X Compact. Is there anything I can check or enable to try to get file transfer to work?  This was supposed to be the easy part...

[happynote]

I've been having this issue all week, too. I've used multiple different chargers, cables, and computers to charge that used to work perfectly last week. Now, none of these computers (mac, win7 and win10) or charging ports aren't recognizing my phone. They'll charge for an instant, less than a second, then go back to being unrecognizable. One cheat I found is to hold the volume up button while the phone is off, and then plugging it in to a charger while holding down the button until the notification light turns blue. That will force the device to charge slowly while it's off. I used to be able to transfer files with no problem, and now this is happening. I also did a factory reset, twice, and I'm still having an issue. I've tried talking to sony live chat support and they weren't able to help. Maybe if we could rollback our OS update to nougat to see if that works. This is the first real problem I've had with this phone in the 13 months I've owned it.

[CallMeBrian]

How can I get Sony Support to address this issue??   I still can't browse my xperia's folder contents when it's connected to any computer.   And I also experience problems when connecting it to chargers and cables that used to work.   Oftentimes it won't detect my external chargers that it was just working with, and then later on it will work again.   The most frustrating part is still that I can't browse or transfer files through Windows.    To transfer files to Window's I have to take these steps:

While on the Xperia copy file(s) to the 32gb external card I have inside of it.  Then put that external card into an old Samsung Galaxy.  Then connect the Samsung Galaxy to Windows so that I can access the files.

That's outrageous and so frustrating!  This is definitely my last Xperia.  And I've purchased 3 of them and was a dedicated customer.

Is Sony Support even on this thread?  

[Qatrium]

@XperiaHelpMe

If you face problems in charging too, then it might be a hardware fault in the USB port. So it's time to contact your Local support and get your phone inspected by a professional.