Nokia G50 "Device Controls" Unavailable

[8lackie]

Not especially fond of this phone, but that's something else.

TA-1390
Android 12
Until recently I could hook it up to my PC via USB and transfer photos.
Now, it sees the phone, a window opens says "Nokia G50" "This folder is empty".
If I remove the SD card and use a card reader, no problem.
Somethings changed, but I cant figure out what.
I pull down the setting menu and "Device Controls" is greyed out
This phone is unlocked. Any thoughts?

I forgot to add, I tried different cables and tried my desktop, (windows 10), as well as a laptop (windows10 too)

 

[B. Diddy]

This is only when trying to explore the SD card using the PC, or does it also happen for files on Internal Storage?

Did this start after the phone got the Android 12 update?

 

[8lackie]

It seems to happen to both SD and internal. I was not observant so it may have occurred after the 12 update. When it worked, I'd see a window on my PC
there'd be two drives showing Internal and SD card. Now I get nothing and on the phone I don't get the message about the phone charging via USB or enable USB debugging so I know I can transfer files

 

[B. Diddy]

You mentioned that the phone is unlocked -- do you mean that the screen is unlocked when you do this, or are you referring to it being carrier unlocked?

 

[8lackie]

sorry I wasn't clear, the phone is unlocked.

 

[B. Diddy]

sorry I wasn't clear, the phone is unlocked.

LOL, I'm still not quite sure -- you mean the screen is unlocked?

 

[8lackie]

Right, yes, the screen is unlocked, I'm able to get to "settings" , the tile "Device Controls Unavailable" is greyed out.

 

[Laura Knotek]

So you're saying that you can't swipe down the notification panel and then tap to change from charging to use USB for file transfer?

 

[B. Diddy]

I don't think the Device Controls are related -- that's for things like Google Home to control smart devices in your house.

Using Windows Explorer, are you able to see inside any folder of the phone, like the /DCIM/Camera folder?

 

[8lackie]

Thank you for clarifying my stumbling presentation. Really. I tried to take a screen shot yesterday, and of course the screen defaults to my main screen. I think BDiddy, now that I read it, you are right, and it never would have occurred to me if you hadn't written it. I plug in the phone to my PC I get a window that opens, but the two folders, the phone and the sd folder are not there.
Laura is correct. I can swipe down on the notification panel, but there is no option (any longer) to x from charging to USB for transfer.

 

[B. Diddy]

Make sure the phone's USB port is clear of any debris -- use a can of compressed air to blow it out, and fine needle to scrape out anything that might be lodged in there (I would make sure the phone is powered down before doing that, in case of the rare possibility of causing a short).

Also see if the problem happens in Safe Mode: https://www.hardreset.info/devices/nokia/nokia-g50-5g/safe-mode/

 

[8lackie]

a little compressed air never hurts. The port looks clean, but gave it a puff just in case. Booted into safemode but no change I keep hoping I'm missing something obvious. I even returned and made sure I was a developer in settings. Now I'm wondering is I should back everything up and do a hard reset.

 

[B. Diddy]

At this point, factory reset would probably be the next step. I can't see why they would intentionally take away this functionality as part of a system update.

 

[8lackie]

Thanks B Diddy, for your ongoing suggestions and help. My suspicions are the user may have fracked something up along the way. I've not seen any other outraged individuals moaning about it. I'll back my stuff up and do exactly that. Thanks again.