iPhone 4s not detected by computer

Soldato
Joined
6 May 2009
Posts
20,435
Its not detected my computer at all, in itunes, my computer, device manager. Its also not detected by my housemates computer

I have just format my computer and its still not detected (any usb ports)

All that happens when you plug it in, is that it makes the noise and charges

Similar to this thread here - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3772787?start=0&tstart=0

Anyone any ideas other than resetting the phone and all content (which i dont really want to have to do)
 
Any fluff in the docking port? Shine a torch in there and clear any debris with either compressed air or a very soft brush.
 
no debris or fluff, it is detected when connected as it starts charging - however nothing else

Its resetting now (wiping all content and settings) itunes has been re0install about 5 times now and installed no from a fresh os

I have now fully reset the phone and it still wont detect?? Im going to try my housemates 4s when he is back.

Where do I go from here?
 
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no debris or fluff, it is detected when connected as it starts charging - however nothing else

Its resetting now (wiping all content and settings) itunes has been re0install about 5 times now and installed no from a fresh os

I have now fully reset the phone and it still wont detect?? Im going to try my housemates 4s when he is back.

Where do I go from here?

Well, contact apple / make a genius bar appointment would be my next step.
 
The only other thing i can think is that i connected it at work where we have PGP encryption and its done something to it. But a full rest would have solved that wouldnt it?

Oh - Ive also tried a new connection cable and its the same - blings and charges but nothing detected

What a 'genius bar appointment' ? Is it possible to speak to someone online as I am in Leeds and there isnt an apple store

Thanks all
 
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Progress - sort of - Ive just plugged a friend iphone 4s into my computer.

It was detected and drivers were installed straight away and it was seen in itunes.

Tried mine and still sweet FA

edit - other ipods (shuffle and classic) and detected fine
edit2 - It works fine in a sound dock so the port isnt knackered

Do you think it could be the firmware or IOS on the device thats messed up that not allowing it to be detected by USB drivers? How could i change this if I cannot see it?
 
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Try restoring the phone completely, I assume that's not what you did when you said "wiping all content and settings".

This happens on one of my computers but that's because of restrictions I've put on the PC, I'm guessing this is not the case with you as you've just formatted your PC.

You will probably have to make a trip to an Apple Store, it may not even cost you (apart from the long trip) if it's a fault in the phone as it'll still be under warranty.
 
Try restoring the phone completely, I assume that's not what you did when you said "wiping all content and settings".

This happens on one of my computers but that's because of restrictions I've put on the PC, I'm guessing this is not the case with you as you've just formatted your PC.

You will probably have to make a trip to an Apple Store, it may not even cost you (apart from the long trip) if it's a fault in the phone as it'll still be under warranty.

I went to Settings > General > Reset > 'Erase all content and settings'

It best not cost me anything, one minute it was working fine, the next its not detected at all
 
Has this issue before, was. Nothing to do with the phone. You need to manually install the driver. Plug the phone in, and go into device manager, it should show up. Right click and select update driver, tell it to look online for the correct driver.
If that fails then open the iTunes installer with winrar. You will then find a few .msi files in there, there should be one, I forget what it's called but it installs the drivers. You should be able to tell what one it is by its name, anyway double click it to extract and install. You may need a reboot, then try plugging the phone in again.
 
Has this issue before, was. Nothing to do with the phone. You need to manually install the driver. Plug the phone in, and go into device manager, it should show up. Right click and select update driver, tell it to look online for the correct driver.
If that fails then open the iTunes installer with winrar. You will then find a few .msi files in there, there should be one, I forget what it's called but it installs the drivers. You should be able to tell what one it is by its name, anyway double click it to extract and install. You may need a reboot, then try plugging the phone in again.

I think you are wrong. When I plug my iphone in, nothing appears in device manager at all. Nothing in USB drivers or anywhere.

When I connect a friends iphone, 'Apple iphone device' or something similar appears in device manager.

So I cannot manually install a driver, because nothing appears in device man. The correct driver is obviously installed on my machine because two different iphone 4S' work fine
 
Have you tried the second thing in my post?
Are you able to try connecting your iPhone into another pc?

Is the second point the one about itunes drivers? I could do but dont see the point as the drivers work perfectly with two other iphones connected to my computer. Or do different iphone 4S' use different itunes drivers :confused:

I have connected my iphone to another PC and the same happens - It makes the noise that it is connected, charges with the charge logo on the phone but then nothing else happens

Personally I think it may be where I have connected it at work and PGP whole disk encryption has kicked in and locked it somehow (however i thought a reset of settings and data would have sorted this)
 

Not yet, ill give that a shot when I get home. Could well be the firmware thats knackered so this may do the trick (hopefully)

Thanks

- I think this is where it will fall over - "...until the the above message has appeared in iTunes telling you that your iPhone has been detected in recovery mode"
I dont think any message will appear in itunes
 
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I just tried to enter DFU mode and following these steps...

The bold part as suspected does not work - computer detects nothing

Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB and launch iTunes.
Now turn your iPhone off. Hold down the sleep / power button at the top right of your iPhone, then slide your finger across the "slide to power off" button on your iPhone's screen. (If it won't turn off, press Home and Sleep/Power until the screen goes dark, then release.)
Once your iPhone is off, hold down both the sleep / power button as well as the home button for 10 seconds. Once 10 seconds has elapsed, release the sleep / power button on your iPhone, but continue to hold the home button until the the above message has appeared in iTunes telling you that your iPhone has been detected in recovery mode. (If you just want to go to recovery mode, skip the 10-second hold on both buttons and simply connect the phone while holding down Home, then wait for 'Connect to iTunes' screen on the phone.)
Click OK. You're now in DFU mode.
 
I stupidly downloaded the IOS6 update and then my phone would not detect on my computer. after 2 or 3 weeks of doing everything Apple says with no joy, I suddenly thought what would happen if I plugged my Daughters ipod in to the computer. The ipod was detected (where as the iphone wasn't) then it searched the web for something, a driver I think, once that was installed, I then unplugged the ipod and plugged in my iphone and after a minute or so, it was there! A lesson to be learnt here, If you have any device that is working fine, DON'T accept any software updates! I'm not saying this will fix your problem, but give it a go.
 
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