While it’s easy to install ADB on Windows and Mac, and it works flawlessly well on Android devices, we have found that Fastboot often fails to recognize the device. If you are going to root your Android phone, unlock the bootloader, or install a custom recovery, getting Fastboot to run and to get it right becomes an utmost priority. So if you are also facing the same issue of Fastboot not detecting devices on Windows 10 or 11, you have arrived at the right place. In this article, we have mentioned Fastboot solutions for Android devices from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo, and more. So without any delay, let’s jump to the guide.
Here, we have put together a simple guide so that your Windows PC can easily detect Android devices through the Fastboot command. In case you are still getting the “fastboot waiting for device” error or facing driver issues, move to the next section for a possible resolution.
- Phone Not Connecting to PC in Fastboot Mode? Fix HereFastboot Drivers Not Installing on Windows 10/ 11
Phone Not Connecting to PC in Fastboot Mode? Fix Here
First, you need to download the latest Fastboot driver from here.
Next, connect your device to the PC while the phone is in Fastboot mode or on the Bootloader screen. If ADB is working for you, you can run adb reboot bootloader to instantly move to Fastboot mode.
Now, press the “Windows + X” keyboard shortcut on Windows 10/11 and quickly open “Device Manager”. You can also press the Windows key once and search for “Device Manager” and open it.
Here, expand the “Portable” or “Other devices” menu, and you will find your Android device mentioned. However, it will display a yellow sign next to it which means Fastboot is not working on your computer. Now, right-click on it and click on “Update Driver”.
A new window will open up. Here, click on “Browser my computer for drivers“.
On the next page, click on “Browse” and select the Fastboot driver folder you extracted above. You just need to select the folder and not any specific file. Device Manager will automatically find the android_winusb.inf file and apply the update.
Once you have selected the folder, click “Next“.
Now, it will install the Fastboot drivers on your PC. If you get any kind of errors, move to the next method for an alternate solution.
Once done, you will find your Android device move to the top menu on Device Manager, and the name will change to “Android Phone -> Android Bootloader Interface“.
Now, open the command prompt window and run the fastboot devices command. This time, it will detect your device. In case the “fastboot devices” command is still showing no devices on Windows 10 or 11, then move to the next step.
Fastboot Drivers Not Installing on Windows 10/ 11
If the Fastboot drivers are not getting installed on your Windows 10/ 11 PC, and as a result, Fastboot cannot detect your device, you need to follow a simple step to let the drivers install without any obstruction. You will have to disable “Driver Signature Enforcement” on your Windows 10/11 PC, so that it can install any driver that doesn’t have the necessary signature. Here is how to go about it.
Open the Start Menu and click on “Restart” while holding the “Shift” key. Release the Shift key when you see the “Please Wait” screen.
You will boot into the Advanced Recovery screen. Here, move to Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Startup Settings -> Restart.
A “Startup Settings” window will open up. Here, press “7” or “F7” on the keyboard to open Windows 10/ 11 without Driver Signature Enforcement.
Now, Windows 10/11 will start without driver signature enforcement. Now, you can follow the above method to install Fastboot drivers for your Android smartphone – be it Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Realme, etc. This time, you won’t face any errors while installing the Fastboot drivers.
After that, double-click on “Android Phone“.
Here, choose “Android Bootloader Interface” and click on “Next”.
Finally, Fastboot drivers will be successfully installed on your device, and your PC will start detecting your Android device through the Fastboot command.
With that said, I would recommend you to move the “Platform Tools” folder or “Minimal ADB” folder inside the “C” drive. At times, Fastboot does not detect devices from other locations, so it’s better to store the folder in the “C” drive.
