MTP Driver Problems: Not working anymore

The symptoms match a known issue where an incorrect Windows Portable Devices (WPD/MTP) driver prevents phones and other MTP devices from working over USB.

On affected systems, Windows repeatedly tries to use the bad driver, resulting in errors and the device never appearing in File Explorer. The fix is to remove the incorrect driver package and let Windows use a proper one, or install the Microsoft update that removes it automatically (where applicable).

Actions to take:

1. Check for and install the MTP/WPD fix update (if offered)
   On supported Windows versions, Microsoft released updates that automatically remove the problematic driver:
   • KB4016754 (for Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 RTM, Windows 10)
   • KB4017099 (Windows 10, version 1511)
   • KB4017100 (Windows 10, version 1607)
   Steps:
   1. Open Settings → Windows Update.
   2. Select Check for updates and install all pending updates.
   3. Restart the PC and test MTP again.
   If using one of the listed Windows versions and the update is not installed automatically, download the standalone package from the Microsoft Update Catalog using the KB number mentioned in the relevant article, install it, restart, and test again.
2. Manually remove the problematic WPD/MTP driver via Device Manager
   If the device or driver package does not appear in Apps, remove it via Device Manager:
   1. Disconnect the phone from USB.
   2. Open Device Manager (search for “Device Manager” in Start).
   3. In the View menu, select Show hidden devices.
   4. Expand Portable Devices, Universal Serial Bus controllers, and Universal Serial Bus devices and locate entries corresponding to the phone or to WPD/MTP that show errors (Code 31).
   5. Right‑click each problematic entry and select Uninstall device.
   6. In the confirmation dialog, if available, check Delete the driver software for this device, then select OK.
   7. Restart the PC and reconnect the phone.
   This forces Windows to re-detect the device and install a clean driver package.
3. Ensure permanent removal of a bad driver package (advanced)
   If Windows keeps reinstalling the same faulty driver, remove the driver package from the driver store:
   1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator).
   2. Use pnputil to delete the specific driver package, for example:

            pnputil /delete-driver <Published Name> /uninstall
      

      Replace <Published Name> with the actual published name of the problematic WPD/MTP driver.
   Notes:
   • This command updates any devices using that package to another driver if available; if none exists, the device will have no driver and will not function until a correct driver is installed.
   • After removal, run Windows Update again so Windows can reinstall a proper MTP/WPD driver if needed.
4. If not on a supported OS for the fix updates
   If the system is not one of the versions listed in the MTP fix articles, follow the manual removal process described above and in the linked Microsoft Answers thread referenced in those articles to remove the incorrect WPD driver and let Windows reinstall a working one.

After these steps, reconnect the phone with MTP/File Transfer mode enabled on the device and confirm it appears in File Explorer.

References:

• MTP driver update causes USB connected phone or portable device issue
• Using Device Manager to uninstall devices and driver packages