How To Fix USB Tethering Greyed Out? With smartphones and constant connectivity, USB tethering has become an increasingly important tool for many of us.
When Wi-Fi isn’t available, we can use our mobile data connection to connect to other devices like laptops or tablets.
When your smartphone’s USB tethering option is greyed out, it can be frustrating. This problem can leave you feeling tethered to your internet connection.
The “USB Tethering Greyed Out” problem is often caused by a variety of factors, but don’t worry!
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find practical solutions for your tethering issue, whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a novice.
You’ll find everything you need to resolve this vexing problem, whether you’re a pro or a novice.
Why is USB tethering greyed out?
A USB cable allows you to share your phone’s internet connection with your computer or other devices. Sometimes, however, the USB tethering option is greyed out and unavailable for use.
This problem can be caused by a number of different factors, including:
A faulty or incompatible USB cable or port.
It is possible that your USB cable or port might be damaged or not working properly.
You can try using a different USB cable or port, or make sure they are clean and free from dust and debris.
A software issue on your phone or computer.
There might be some bugs or glitches on your phone or computer that prevent the USB tethering from working.
You can try restarting both devices, updating the software, or reinstalling the USB drivers.
A data saver or battery saver mode on your phone.
Data saver and battery saver modes on some phones may disable USB tethering, reducing data usage or power consumption.
You can try turning off these modes and see if USB tethering works.
A security feature on your phone.
Prior to enabling USB tethering, your phone may need to be unlocked and in USB data transfer mode. This will prevent unauthorized access to your phone’s data or internet connection.
You can try unlocking your phone and selecting a USB data transfer mode like MTP or PTP.
The following are some of the most common causes and solutions for the grayed out USB tethering issue.
If none of these work, you may need to contact your phone or computer manufacturer or your carrier for further support.
How To Fix USB Tethering Greyed Out?
A greyed-out USB tethering option on your smartphone can be frustrating, especially if you need to share your mobile data connection with other devices.
However, you can follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
Method 1: Check USB Cable and Connection:
A damaged or loose USB cable can prevent USB tethering from working.
Be sure to use a functioning USB cable and make sure it is properly connected to both your smartphone and the device you want to tether to (e.g., a laptop or tablet).
Method 2: Clean The Port
Your next step should be to clean the ports on your phone and your computer. If the ports on your device are dirty and full of dust, then that might lead to this problem.
You can try cleaning the port and checking if the issue persists.
The following steps will guide you through the process:
- The first thing you need to do is turn off your device.
- Your device’s port can be accessed by inserting a toothpick gently.
- Remove dirt from the port with the toothpick by moving it around.
- Check to see if the issue has been resolved by turning on the device.
Method 3: Turn On Developer Options
In case USB tethering is greyed out for you, you can turn on developer options to see if it works for you.
Here are the steps you need to follow to enable developer options on your Android phone:
- Go to the Settings app on your phone.
- Select About Phone from the System menu.
- Tap Software Information under About Phone.
- Your phone will now have the developer option enabled if you tap the Build Number repeatedly 6-7 times.
- If you are prompted, connect your phone via cable to your PC; choose MTP if you are.
- Check if USB tethering is now available.
Method 4: Turn Off Data Saver
In case Data Saver is turned on, turn it off. When it is on, USB tethering might not work due to less data usage.
You can turn off the data saver by following these steps:
On iPhone
- You can access iPhone settings by opening the Settings app.
- The Cellular/Mobile Data option can be found in Settings.
- Select Cellular Data Options, followed by Data Mode.
- Activate Low Data Mode by turning off the toggle.
On Android
- Tap Settings in the App Drawer.
- Connections and Data Usage can be found in Settings.
- You can then turn off Data Saver by tapping it.
Method 5: Reset Network Settings:
To resolve USB tethering issues on an iPhone, reset the network settings. Here’s how:
- To change your settings, go to “Settings” > “General.”
- Click “Reset” at the bottom of the page.
- You can reset your network settings by selecting “Reset Network Settings.”
Method 6: Update Firmware
Updating your device’s firmware can also resolve this issue. If you are unable to update your device’s firmware, you will experience this issue.
Here are the steps you can follow to update your firmware and see if it fixes the problem:
Android
- You can access the Settings app on your Android device by opening it.
- The bottom of the screen will have a System button.
- You will then be able to update your system.
- If there are any updates available, download and install them.
Windows
- When you press the Windows + I key combo on your PC, the Settings app will appear.
- You can check for updates by selecting Check for Updates from the left sidebar.
- You will be notified if there are any updates available.
- All updates listed here should be downloaded and installed.
- Restart your computer once the updates have been installed
iOS
- Access your iPhone’s settings by going to the App Store.
- Click on General and then Software Update.
- Choose the update you wish to install if multiple updates are available.
- You can now update your iPhone by tapping on Install Now.
Method 7: Factory Reset Your Device
In addition, we recommend factory rebooting your device. This will remove all the data from your phone, including apps, files, contacts, settings, and all other data.
You can also use this to remove bugs and resolve this issue. Follow these steps to factory reset your phone:
Android
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Then tap Reset in General Management.
- You can now reset your factory data by tapping Factory Data Reset.
- Reset your device by tapping on Reset and entering your device password/PIN.
iPhone
- You can access iPhone settings by opening the Settings app.
- You can then select Transfer or Reset [Device] from here.
- To erase all content and settings, tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- To reset your phone, you will need to enter your Apple ID and password.
How do I enable USB tethering on my phone?
The USB tethering feature allows your phone’s internet connection to be shared via a USB cable with your computer or other device.
Depending on the type of phone and the software version you are running, the steps to enable USB tethering will vary.
Here are some general instructions for different phones:
>> On an Android phone, you can enable USB tethering by swiping down from the top of the screen and touching and holding Hotspot.
Once you have selected USB tethering, your phone will begin sharing its internet connection with the connected device.
Once selected, you can select the option to turn on USB tethering.
>> In order to enable USB tethering on an iPhone, you need to go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn it on.
Then, connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable. In order to complete the connection, you may have to trust your phone on your computer or enter a password on your device.
>> By going to Settings > Network & wireless > Mobile hotspot and turning on the switch, you can enable USB tethering on a Windows phone.
Then, connect your phone to your computer or another device with a USB cable. Your phone may need to be set to USB Ethernet or RNDIS mode.
You should now be able to tether your phone using USB. I hope this helps.
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How do I disable USB tethering on my phone?
You can share your phone’s internet connection with other devices or your computer via USB tethering.
You may, however, want to disable USB tethering for a variety of reasons, such as saving data or battery, avoiding unwanted charges, or preventing unauthorized access.
It may vary depending on what kind of phone you have and what version of software you are running whether you need to disable USB tethering. To get a general idea of how each phone works, here are some instructions:
>> If you have an Android phone, you can disable USB tethering by swiping down from the top of the screen and touching and holding Hotspot.
Once you select this option, your phone won’t share its internet connection with the connected device. It will open a menu that lets you choose to turn off USB tethering.
>> The switch for USB tethering can be turned off in Settings > Personal Hotspot on your iPhone.
After disconnection, you may need to trust your phone on your computer or enter a password to complete the process. Disconnect your phone from your computer or other device with a USB cable.
>> The switch to disable USB tethering on your Windows phone can be found in Settings > Network & wireless > Mobile hotspot.
Connect your phone to your computer or another device using a USB cable, then select a USB mode, such as RNDIS or USB Ethernet, on your phone.
Your phone should now no longer be tethered via USB. I hope this helps.
Conclusion
There are times when Wi-Fi is scarce or unreliable, so USB tethering can be a lifesaver.
The “USB Tethering Greyed Out” problem can seem like a dead end in your quest for connectivity, but this guide has shown you that there are usually solutions to this problem.
You can troubleshoot this issue by checking your cable and USB settings, updating your driver, and updating your device’s software.
Just remember that patience and a systematic approach are key for resolving technical issues.