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