If you have a PC and want to connect your OnePlus phone to it for file transfer or something, it is as easy as plugging in a cable. Once you plug in, your phone should appear on your PC, and you should be able to do whatever you want. This feature is called USB On-The-Go or OTG, which lets you connect your phone to your PC. However, this feature isn’t always as seamless.

Sometimes, or often, the phone might not show up on the PC. This means you can’t do any file transfers between your phone and PC. For sure, it is an annoying issue. But don’t worry; we will help you fix the issue of your OnePlus smartphone not showing up on your PC. So, let’s get going!

Why is my OnePlus Not Showing Up on my PC?

There can be several reasons why your OnePlus phone is not showing up on the PC. The issue can be related to both hardware and software. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. A loose or malfunctioning USB cable or port could be preventing your PC from recognizing your OnePlus phone.
2. Disabling USB debugging on your OnePlus device may result in your OnePlus phone not showing up on the PC.
3. Software compatibility issues may arise if either your OnePlus phone or your computer is running outdated software.
4. Incompatibility with other programmes on your computer can disrupt your OnePlus phone’s ability to communicate with your computer. Potential connection blocks include antivirus software and firewalls.
5. Problems with your OnePlus phone or your computer’s USB port could be the result of a faulty component. The devices may not properly connect due to physical damage or a broken component.

How to Fix OnePlus Not Showing Up on PC

Now that you know why your OnePlus is not showing up on your PC, we can begin troubleshooting the issue. We will start with the basics and then move to the more advanced solutions. Make sure to try all the solutions before concluding. Let’s begin.

Fix 1: Check USB OTG Connection

Verify your device’s USB OTG connection. Incorrectly connecting your gadget to your computer via USB will almost certainly result in connectivity issues.

First, check that you are using a suitable USB cable. Many USB cables can do data transfer. However, you’ll need to switch to a different cable if your current one doesn’t support data transfer. No amount of trying will cause your OnePlus phone to appear on your computer while using a cable that does not support data transfer.

The next step is to check that the USB port is free of any dirt or debris. If you’re having trouble, switching to a different port might help. Be sure to clean the OnePlus’s USB-C port, too. To clean the ports, use a cotton swab or another soft object.

If you’re still having trouble after cleaning ports, try another cable. Just make sure the cable supports data transfer. Last but not least, double-check your phone’s USB OTG configuration if nothing else has worked.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Additional Settings.
3. Tap on OTG Connection and make sure it’s turned on.
4. If it’s already enabled, turn it off, disconnect the cable, and turn it back on.
5. You can move on to the next troubleshooting step if the issue persists.

Fix 2: Restart your Phone

You also want to restart your phone to fix such issues. If it’s a minor bug, you can easily fix it with a simple restart. Restarting your phone will fix any minor bugs and glitches that might be causing your OnePlus phone to not appear on your PC. Follow these steps to restart your OnePlus phone:

1. Press and hold the power key on the left for a few seconds.
2. Release the button once you see the power off menu.
3. Drag the slider in the center to the top.
4. This will restart your phone.
5. Once your phone has restarted, try connecting to your PC again and see if the issue has been resolved.

If the issue persists, restart your PC as well. To restart your PC, follow these steps:

1. Go to the start menu and click on the Power icon.
2. Click on Restart.
3. Wait for your PC to restart.
4. Once your PC has restarted, try connecting your phone again and see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix 3: Check for Software Updates

Software updates are crucial for most modern devices to function properly. These help keep the devices up-to-date and secure. If you are someone who avoids software updates, then this might be the cause of the issue. Make sure you keep both your phone and the PC up to date. Here’s how to update your OnePlus phone:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on About device.
3. Tap on OxygenOS at the top.
4. Your phone will not check for updates. If any updates are available, tap on Download and install to start installing the update.
5. Once the update is installed, restart your phone, and you should be good to go.
6. Once your phone has restarted, try connecting to your PC again and see if the issue has been resolved.

To update your PC, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Select Windows update from the left menu.
3. Next up, click on Check for updates.
4. If any updates are available, click Download and install to start installing the update.
5. Once the update is installed, simply restart your PC and try connecting your phone again and see if it shows up now.

Fix 4: Enable USB Debugging in Developer Options

Sometimes, the issue can be caused because you don’t have USB debugging enabled on your OnePlus phone. The USB debugging feature is available from the Developer Options on your OnePlus phone. If you don’t have it activated, then your OnePlus might not show up on your PC. Here’s how to enable USB debugging on your OnePlus:

1. Go to the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and tap on About device.
3. Tap on Version.
4. Try tapping the Build number seven times. Once you enable Developer Options, you’ll get a notification.
5. Now, go to Additional settings > Developer options in the Settings menu.
6. To access USB debugging, you will need to scroll down. To activate, simply flip the switch.
7. Confirm any prompts if they appear.
8. Now, connect your OnePlus to your PC and allow USB debugging on your phone. Your OnePlus should now show up on your PC.
9. If turning on USB debugging didn’t work, move to the next step.

Fix 5: Use Third-Party OTG Apps

If you’ve tried all other options, you can try installing a third-party OTG app to see whether that helps establish the connection between your OnePlus device and your PC. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Google Play Store and try looking up “OTG checker” or “OTG connector” apps.
2. Get yourself a reputable app.
3. To transfer data from your OnePlus device to a PC, you’ll need a USB OTG cable.
4. Open the installed app and proceed as directed to see if your PC is recognized.
5. If it is recognized, your OnePlus should show up on your PC.

Remember that not all third-party OTG apps will work with your specific OnePlus smartphone, so you may need to try out a couple to find one that does. If you’ve already tried using a third-party app and had no success, move to the next step.

Fix 6: Use a Different OTG Cable or Adapter

Try a different OTG cable or adapter to see if that resolves the issue. Sometimes, the cable or the adapter can be faulty, causing the device to not show up on the PC. You can try the following steps:

1. First, disconnect the old cable or the adapter from your PC and your phone.
2. Use the new cable or the adapter to connect your phone and the PC.
3. Now see if the phone shows up on your PC.
4. If it does, the issue has been resolved. If it doesn’t, you need to do more troubleshooting.

Fix 7: Update USB Drivers on your PC

USB drivers on your PC are responsible for the functioning of the USB ports. Outdated drivers can cause your phone to not show up on your PC. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your USB drivers always up to date. Here’s how to update your USB drivers:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” (without quotes) and hit Enter or click OK.
3. This will open up the Device Manager.
4. Expand the “Universal Serial Bus Controller” section.
5. Right-click on the USB driver and select Update driver.
6. Click on “Search automatically for drivers.”
7. Do this for all the USB drivers in the section.
8. Once all the drivers are updated, restart your PC and see if your OnePlus phone now shows up.

Fix 8: Reset All Settings

Sometimes, your phone’s settings can cause it to not show up on your PC. It can be extremely hard to identify which settings are causing the issue. In this case, all you can do is reset all settings to default on your phone.

As you might have already guessed, all your configurations will be reset, and your settings will be restored to default. Remember that this will also delete any Wi-Fi passwords, VPN connections, or Bluetooth devices that might have been stored on your phone. If you’re ready, you can follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap on Additional settings.
3. Scroll down and tap on Back up and reset.
4. Then, tap on Reset phone.
5. Tap on Reset all settings.
6. Enter your lock screen password or pattern to confirm.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
8. Restart your phone for the changes to take effect completely.
9. Now, enable OTG connection and USB debugging.
10. Try connecting your phone to your PC. It should now show up on your PC. If the issue persists, move down to the next solution.

Fix 9: Perform a Factory Reset

If resetting all settings didn’t settle the issue, you can perform a factory reset. As you might already be aware, a factory reset will restore your phone to its default state. This means that all your data, including photos, videos, accounts, and apps, will be erased from your phone. So be sure to take a full backup of your device before proceeding. Once you have backed up all your data, you can follow these steps to reset your phone:

1. Go to the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap on Additional settings.
3. Scroll down and tap on Back up and reset.
4. Then, tap on Reset phone.
5. Tap on Erase all data.
6. Enter your lock screen password or pattern to confirm.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset.
8. Once your phone has been reset, it will restart, and you have to set it up.
9. Restore your backed-up data and enable OTG connection and USB debugging.
10. Try connecting your phone to your PC. It should now show up on your PC. If the issue persists, move down to the next solution.

Contact OnePlus Support

If you are still facing the issue, try contacting OnePlus support. They should be able to assist you better. You can even visit an authorized service centre if you are comfortable doing that. You can also mention OnePlus’ official Twitter account on Twitter explaining your issue.

Final Words

So that’s how you fix it when your OnePlus is not showing up on your PC. If you have tried all of the above solutions and are still facing the issue, we recommend you to visit a service centre and get your device checked, as this can be due to hardware fault on your phone. Make sure to also keep your PC’s software up to date, as the PC can also be the culprit in many instances. Finally, if you have any other questions, let us know in the comments section below.