How to Solve USB Tethering Error On Android Phones?

As we know, Android phones can be used as a modem to get an Internet connection on laptops using the tethering feature.

The tethering converts an Android phone into a wireless modem and shares the Internet with other devices.

If anyone does not know what tethering stands for, it is a feature that allows sharing of mobile data connection via USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

This article explains a strange issue I faced while using the tethering feature.

While traveling yesterday, I got into a strange problem. My mobile handset failed to tether.

After connecting my Android handset to the laptop, it showed a message USB connected and checking to tether.

Once I clicked tether, it faded and showed a USB tethering error.

Then, I received a pop-up to turn on USB storage. I clicked the button to turn on USB storage, and then it displayed another message- you cannot tether while USB storage is on.

I turned off the USB storage, and it showed USB connected check to tether.

I fixed the USB tethering error and shared the Internet connection between my Android phone and Windows laptop.

Let us check what to do if the USB tethering is not working between your Android Phone and Windows PC.

I assume you are tethering your Android Phone with a Windows/Linux laptop with a USB cable but facing a tethering error.

You can resolve the USB Tethering error by following the steps below.

1. Disconnect the USB cable and Reconnect

   
   
   • Disconnect the USB cord from the Laptop and the Android Handset.
     
     
   • Reconnect carefully.
     
     
   • If the issue persists, go to the next step.
   
   
   

2. Disable Mobile WiFi

   If the USB tethering is not working, turn off the WiFi on the phone.

   
   
   

3. Switch Off the Android Phone and Reboot

   
   
   • Disconnect the USB cord from the Android Phone.
     
     
   • Switch Off the Mobile Phone.
     
     
   • Restart the Phone after two minutes.
     
     
   • Reconnect the Phone to the laptop using a USB cord.
     
     
   • Try to activate USB tethering.
   
   
   

4. How to Check Tethering On Your Android Phone

   
   
   
   1. Go to the Home screen.
      
      
   2. Click on Applications.
      
      
   3. Click on Settings.
      
      
   4. Click on Wireless & Networks.
      
      
   5. Click on Tethering & Portable hotspot.
      
      
   6. Check USB tethering. Go to the next solution if you still get a USB tethering error.
   
   
   

5. Reboot your Laptop

   
   
   

6. Use a Different USB Cable

   A faulty USB cable can result in USB tethering troubles. Connect your laptop and Android phone using a new USB cable and check to tether.

   
   

7. Use Different USB Ports

   Connect your Android phone to a different USB port on your laptop.

I faced a USB Tethering error while tethering my Samsung Galaxy Phone with my Windows 11 laptop.

Some users messaged me a Samsung Software update could fix the USB tethering error.

If you use Samsung Kies to connect the Galaxy and laptop, ensure the installed Kies version is the latest.

Smart Switch helps you tether Samsung Mobile phones with Windows and macOS devices.

If you do not use Smart Switch, ensure your computer has the latest Samsung Phone USB drivers.

If your computer does not have Samsung USB drivers, it will result in a USB tethering error.

A few readers commented on problems with tethering Sony Xperia Smart Phones.

They say some technical issues prevent them from sharing mobile Internet on Xperia with MAC or Windows devices.

So, let us check how to troubleshoot the USB tethering error on a Sony Xperia Mobile Phone.

Install the latest Sony USB driver on your computer to fix the USB tethering problems with your Sony Xperia Smart Phone.

Installing the latest phone USB driver will fix the tethering error with Windows 11 devices.

A few Redmi 10A users complained about problems with USB tethering after the phone software update.

It might be due to a corrupted MIUI update or a software conflict. If you experience USB tethering problems on Redmi phones, follow the steps below.

1. Enable USB Debugging on your Redmi device.

2. Reset the current APN and reconfigure it.

3. Update to the latest MIUI version (if the device supports it).