My phone won't connect to my computer with the USB cable

[Penguin_James]

I am trying to connect my phone (Xperia X Compact F5321) to my computer to transfer some music and picture files with the USB cable. I am not having any luck however. From what I have read a screen is supposed to pop up asking to install software or give permission or something along those lines. The only thing that happens is the phone beeps and starts to charge. I have installed the Xperia software onto my computer and that didn't help either.

I have tried restarting the phone and computer. I have tried different USB ports. I only have the one cable but it will charge the phone even while connected to the computer so that implies to me that it is a software issue rather than hardware. It doesn't show up on my computer either when it is connected.

I have gone under settings- Device connection- USB Connectivity- The Install software option is on. The other things I have seen mentioned on the web like debug USB aren't showing up anywhere that I can see.

I am at a loss as to what to do and the obvious things don't seem to be working, yet this seems to be a common problem from what I gather that has no solution or am I missing something. For what it is worth I am running Android version 8.0.0 I have only had the phone about a month so this is really the first time I have tried to do what should be a simple thing.

[pseudonym]

When you connect your phone, do you see the notification as shown in the picture? If not, I would try restarting the phone, but also using a different cable. You could also try connecting to a different computer. If you are using a Mac computer, you will need either Xperia Companion or Android File Transfer.  If a PC, then installing Xperia Companion should also allow you to view files on your phone in Windows Explorer.

[Strampke]

It needs the driver for USB.

Xperia Companion installs the drivers.

Or find your driver starting here.

[Penguin_James]

I don't get the notification. I've tried restarting the phone. I don't have a cable just the one that came with the phone that is about a month old. It will charge the phone so I don't think it is the cable. I've tried a different computer no luck with that either. My computer is running windows 10 and Xperia companion isn't reading the phone either. Thanks for the sugestions though.

[Penguin_James]

No luck with the drivers or Xperia companion.

[jp241]

I have the same problem. I plug the phone into the computer and it charges but does not give me the connectivity pop up menu. It used to work fine. Sony, please help.

[Strampke]

Try this.

When it doesn't connect, unplug, turn the plug 180 degrees and plug in again.