G5 - Android 7.0 Nougat USB Connection Notification No Longer Present, Phone Not Seen

muttleytm

Senior Member
Sep 3, 2013
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I've had a MOTO G5 for several months at least. This issue came up recently as I was able use the USB connection notification to switch the phone to file transfer via USB with no problem. Everything worked. This notification no longer appears. The phone also does not show up on the PC at all.

I have tried numerous cables and different ports on the PC. I have also booted the computer up as Linux (which is what I normally use and the phone worked with) and I have also booted it up in Windows 10. The phone is not detected in either case nor does the notification appear. I have also connected it to another Windows 10 computer entirely and the phone is not connected. In all cases it I'm using USB1. They are all older computers and none have USB three and only one has USB 2 and USB 1, but, I use 1 generally, but, also tried 2. I don't know which version of USB cables are for. I've tried three data/charge cables and I think two of them are just for USB 1 and the other is new so might be rated for 3. I don't know.

I have installed the latest Windows drivers and the MTP drivers are all up to date when running Linux. In linux I have run some USB commands like usbls and none of them see this device.

I do know the phone has had a few updates including a security patch or some OS update recently. The computer at least when running Linux (Mint 18.2) has had some updates as well. I don't know exactly when the problem started as I don't transfer files all the time, but, the file transfer ceased functioning at some point after updates.


So I'm assuming the problem is software related, but, I think the micro USB port is mechanically attached to the motherboard and connects with a ribbon cable. I may try installing a new port, but, I don't think that is the problem.

I've contacted Motorola technical support. After about a week Q & A they responded that my phone was a UK model and I needed to talk the the UK support. I had them refer me so I wouldn't be starting over from scratch. They sent me a standard list of things to try which I did and responded to what happened. They then said their were elevating me to senior tech support staff. After several more days they said they heard back from the senior support staff that they don't support Linux. Throughout the entire thread and specifically in the reply about what to try and reporting back I included how it behave in both Linux and with Windows 10.

In looking through some other forums I see that this is an issue in some other phones as well, not just MOTOs and it may have to do with a security update that came with Android 8. Android 8 isn't available for this phone yet in the US, but, I'm thinking that maybe the latest security update for 7 has some things from the 8 patch. Maybe???

Does anyone have any knowledge of what might be the problem or the fix? I will continue to try to work with Motorola/Lenovo, but, I'm anticipating they will after some more discussion say it is an OS problem. I have seen that at least for this problem on some Google Pixel phones with a similar problem a place you can go to submit some log files to Google as part of a bug report. Is this something I can do on this phone as well.
 

TheFixItMan

Senior Member
Jul 8, 2012
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Does the phone show its charging when it's plugged into the pc?
If yes skip the next question

Does the phone show its charging when it's plugged into the mains?


If either of these don't work its likely there's a hardware problem with the USB port of your phone


If it shows it's charging its more likely a software problem why it can't detect file storage

USB 2 is fully backwards compatible with USB 1 - basically USB 2 is just a faster version
As far as I'm aware nothing in the latest security patch has stopped usb from working

I assume you didn't decline any connection message that may have appeared on your phone

You can try the following

Enable USB debugging by activating developer mode in settings - goto about phone and keep pressing on build number until it says your a developer then go back to the main settings menu and enable USB debugging from developer options
Now test USB connection and see if it gives you the option to select file storage - it should at least say USB debugging enabled when plugged into the pc

Do a factory reset of your device - this will erase all data so backup first
Power the phone completely off.
Press and hold the “Volume Down” and the “Power” buttons simultaneously. Release both buttons when you see the menu appears.
Use the “Volume Down” button to toggle the selection on the menu to “Recovery mode“.
Press the “Power” button to choose the “Recovery mode” selection.
A screen should appear with the Android robot. While on this screen hold down the “Power” button while pressing and releasing the “Volume Up” button.
Continue to hold “Power” until you see the Android Recovery menu, characterized with an Android lying on its back.
Use the Volume Up/Down buttons to toggle the menu selection to “wipe data / factory reset“. Press the “Power” button the choose the option.
Use the Volume Up/Down buttons to toggle the menu selection to “Yes – erase all user data“. Press the “Power” button to select it.


If after doing that it doesn't work it could be hardware related or it would require more exstencive testing
 
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muttleytm

Senior Member
Sep 3, 2013
73
2
0
Thanks for the thorough reply. I'll give a quick reply. It might take a day to before I get a chance do all of the suggestions.

When connected by USB the phone does say it is charging. Although the charge notification is not present, if I click on the battery icon it says that is charging.

I'll have to figure out how to back my data up.
 

TheFixItMan

Senior Member
Jul 8, 2012
7,673
3,934
253
London
Thanks for the thorough reply. I'll give a quick reply. It might take a day to before I get a chance do all of the suggestions.

When connected by USB the phone does say it is charging. Although the charge notification is not present, if I click on the battery icon it says that is charging.

I'll have to figure out how to back my data up.
Also make sure you haven't blocked the notifications from appearing
Settings - prompts & notifications (may vary depending on device)
 

muttleytm

Senior Member
Sep 3, 2013
73
2
0
I've looked over notifications and I don't think I have them blocked, plus the phone or storage doesn't show up on Windows or Linux computers. I know I did play around some with notifications because I kept getting a prompt whether I want to activate Android Assistant and the only option it had was yes, and locking things up.

I did the reset and restore as well and everything was as before. I also went ahead and ordered a new USB port board and installed it and still no USB notification and device is not detected by computers. However, I will point out that I haven't connected the antenna yet. I'm waiting till I can get some lighting magnification before I try. I can't see well enough to line things up. I know from experience with laptops that if I try to force it when it isn't aligned properly I'll just bend the connector and possibly destroy it.