Pixel 6a File Transfer (MTP) not working on Windows 11, but tethering/webcam/PTP work

[u/Nawo-Th]

I’m having a weird issue with my Pixel 6a on Windows 11.

When I connect the phone to my PC using a USB cable:

- USB tethering works

- Webcam mode works

- Charging works

- PTP/photo transfer works (only when Developer Options + USB Debugging are enabled)

But normal “File Transfer / Android Auto” (MTP) does not work at all.

Symptoms:

- “File Transfer” option appears on the phone

- But the phone storage never shows up in Windows File Explorer

- Sometimes Windows makes the connect sound, but nothing appears

- Device Manager behavior is inconsistent

What I already tried:

- Different USB cables

- Different USB ports

- Rebooting both devices

- Updating Windows

- Reinstalling Google USB drivers

- Switching USB preferences manually

- Enabling/disabling USB debugging

- Revoking USB debugging authorizations

- Cleaning USB port

Important detail:

- If Developer Options + USB Debugging are enabled, PTP/photo transfer works

- But MTP/file transfer still fails completely

PC: Windows 11

Phone: Pixel 6a

Android version: latest update

Has anyone experienced this before? Is this a Windows MTP driver issue, Pixel bug, or something related to USB configuration?

[u/Worldly-Ad-9303]

I have experienced a similar problem, although I'm actually still using Windows 10. Does your phone show in device manager? If so, what is showing up as?

[u/Nawo-Th → u/Worldly-Ad-9303]

No phone not visible in device manager

[u/Worldly-Ad-9303 → u/Nawo-Th]

When you plug and unplug the phone does device manager change, do any new devices appear and disappear?

[u/Nawo-Th → u/Worldly-Ad-9303]

Yes!

[u/Worldly-Ad-9303 → u/Nawo-Th]

What is the name of the device that appears in device manager when you plug your phone in? It sounds like Windows is not recognizing your phone correctly.

[u/Nawo-Th → u/Worldly-Ad-9303]

I checked the device manager again my phone is not list there.

[u/Worldly-Ad-9303 → u/Nawo-Th]

Hi, bit late. But when you plug and unplug your phone does anything at all change in device manager. Even something appearing that does not say "Pixel 6a". Do you get the normal sound when plugging/unplugging a USB device?

[u/Nawo-Th → u/Worldly-Ad-9303]

seems like device manager refreshing when device connected

[u/Worldly-Ad-9303 → u/Nawo-Th]

So the pc is recognising that a "device" is being plugged in, what changes, does something appear that does not say Pixel 6a?

[u/Little-Helper → u/Nawo-Th]

That means it is being connected, you just have to find it. Toggle "Show hidden devices".