Problem connecting Samsung Galaxy A tablet to laptop

[ghostrider1971]

Evening guys,

Will be absolutely delighted if someone can resolve this....

I'm having problems linking my Samsung Galaxy A tab to my laptop.

I've used a variety of USB cables and the tablet sometimes starts charging but now refuses to show up under my computer as a connected device.

Have done a quick Google and tried a few things but nothing has worked

Any (not using a hammer...) solutions, please?

[izan]

Hi mate,
What is the OS on the laptop?
Laptop top model?
What version of android is the Galaxy running?
Do you have the OEM Samsung cable?

Cheers
I

[ghostrider1971]

Hi izan

1) Windows 8 on laptop
2) Laptop is a Samsung bought in South Korea (it did work previously....)
3) I do have the original Samsung lead to connect the tablet
4) Android version on tablet is 6.0.1

Cheers - Andy

[jtc]

Might be worth downloading Samsung kies onto laptop so it installs Samsung driver's needed. Also there might be a USB setting on tablet to change the way you want the connection to work. ie mass storage/media reading or something like that

[izan]

LOL, I have Win 7 and 10. I've blocked 8 out as much as I can.

Win 10 used: If it's useless...sorry

Attach the tablet to the laptop with a lead that will charge it. (a known good USB port that works with other devices is best).

When charging, you should see the device under "Settings> Devices". If it is not there, look at the bottom of the same page for a link to "device manager".
Under device manager, towards the bottom of the list, look for "usb devices" and it should be listed when you click the chevron.
Notice if any warning symbols are displayed (yellow exclamation points or Red "anythings")

Having both old laptops and old tablets, I find the most common problems are related to the usb connections being "old and loose". A bit of a fiddle, a tug or a wiggle will often sort it out, if only temporarily.

Good luck
I

[phtumshk]

Yeah you might need kies loading on the laptop.
I had to with my phone but never use it as a program but if i uninstall it wont connect the phone.

[charliehorse]

Check the usb port on the tablet with a good torch for any damage to the little tongue plate the connections strips are mounted on and look for any debris in there as well.

[ghostrider1971]

charliehorse - One of the things really confusing me is that the tablet charges via the laptop and also by separate wall plug. But whilst it will charge through the laptop, it won't pick it up as a USB storage device

[morbidmatty]

This is normal with Samsung tablet as mentioned before you need updated kies software/driver for Windows to see it.kies software

[ghostrider1971]

morbidmatty - I have added the Kies programme on. Re-plugged in the tablet, which is then charging from the laptop, but still says no device found

Very frustrating

[morbidmatty]

ghostrider1971 did you run kies (have it open as you connect tablet) plus are you using a data cable or charge only cable as when you run kies it should notify you of data connection even if there's a problem with device

[charliehorse]

Jun 22, 2017 20:07:48 GMT ghostrider1971 said:

charliehorse - One of the things really confusing me is that the tablet charges via the laptop and also by separate wall plug. But whilst it will charge through the laptop, it won't pick it up as a USB storage device

ghostrider1971 - I was only suggesting it may be a physical problem as you had said "sometimes starts charging" so was assuming it was a contact issue

Intermittent problems like that are (in my experience anyway) usually down to a damaged port

One more thing you could verify is the lead being used - sometimes charging leads have the data pins shorted out whilst a connection lead does not.

Can you use the lead to connect and communicate with, for example a phone ??

Hope you get it sorted out soon

[dalealan]

Restart you tab then enable USB debugging in the Application settings then developer options and try again. Fingers crossed ghostrider1971

[ghostrider1971]

Thank you for all the suggestions

As I am travelling tomorrow, I decided to swap the micro SD card to my 2nd tablet to transfer some films and TV and then put it back in my main tablet.

Will try again to resolve on return

[dalealan]

Probably just as easy ghostrider. Sometimes the checkbox for 'USB Debugging' is unchecked and greyed out. That's because the tab is currently using another USB setting scheme which disabled the USB Debugging.
There are also 4 setting scheme under Setting option->Wireless and Network->USB setting:
Samsung Kies
Media Player
Mass Storage
Ask on connection

Normally the "Samsung Kies" is selected. Change it to "Ask on connection" or mass storage and you should be good to go.