Kobo Forma not detected by Windows

tumbi · 10-25-2024, 12:26 AM

My Forma is working well and I am enjoying it. But I have not tried connecting it to Windows/Calibre for some time and felt it was time to upload some more books.

But when connecting to the computer, it is not being detected. It does not show as a device in Calibre, does not appear in File Explorer, and the computer (Windows - tried different computers with Windows 10 and Windows 11) does not seem to know it is plugged in.

Yes, I have tried many different cables, different USB ports, and even different computers!

When plugging in, the Forma itself responds with the option to Connect and then sits there telling me it is Connected and Charging, and reminding me to Eject before unplugging! So there IS some connection happening, but no response from the computer.

I expect people to remind me there are known cable issues and I should just try a different cable. But I have tried several and feel there must be something I have overlooked? Like maybe some security issue in Windows or something?

Can anyone suggest something more that I should try, please.

meeera · 10-25-2024, 01:57 AM

When this was an issue with some older Kobos and Mac connections, connecting the Kobo via a USB hub rather than a computer USB port often worked. I don't remember whether it worked with Windows machines, but if you have a hub lying around, it's worth a shot.

PeterT · 10-25-2024, 10:55 AM

Yes that trick of using a USB hub worked on PCs too.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

tumbi · 10-25-2024, 02:57 PM

Thank you guys, for the advice to use a hub.

I tried that but without success, I am afraid. I guess now I will try again with a different hub?

Meanwhile, I have loaded some new books via Google Drive with a WiFi connection so the Forma is still usable. But I miss the familiar Calibre technique…

PeterT · 10-25-2024, 03:07 PM

You do need to use an older hub with USB A ports

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

tumbi · 10-26-2024, 08:05 AM

I went through my drawer with lots of miscellaneous USB stuff and took all the cables that would fit the Forma. While looking, I found 4 more hubs, so I took them out too.

Then I started with various combinations to see if I could get the computer to recognise the Forma. Different cables with different hubs in different USB ports.

And on the umteenth attempt, with the third hub, it worked!

So then I worked at eliminating the cause of the problem:
tried different port. Still OK so it is not the USB port.
Tried different hub. Still OK, so it is not the hub.
Tried different cable. Failed! So the problem was in the cable all the time! I can’t tell you just how many different cables I tried, but all but one failed!

To confirm the “good” cable, I just plugged that cable directly into the front USB port (no hub) and all is OK.

My observation is all the cables are probably OK. The connector might be a little worn on some and maybe is not making good contact with the Kobo? But the difficulty we are experiencing seems to be a problem ONLY WITH THE KOBO! And I am not the only one to have these problems. I am not aware of any failures with my cables with any other connection. That leaves me to conclude there is some weakness, maybe quality control, in the sockets used by Kobo?

Moral of the story …. Listen to the advice offered. Lots of people have said to try a different cable!

meeera · 10-26-2024, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tumbi

Moral of the story …. Listen to the advice offered. Lots of people have said to try a different cable!

Good moral! And try things more than once, and give it time to try to connect - especially with the older microUSB cables.

FWIW in my experience at least, this is a solved problem with the newer USB-C devices. I just run a USB-C cable straight from my laptop to my Kobo and it connects easily (and transfers data much faster).

10-25-2024, 12:26 AM	#1
tumbi Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10798 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NSW Central Coast Australia Device: Kobo Forma	Kobo Forma not detected by Windows My Forma is working well and I am enjoying it. But I have not tried connecting it to Windows/Calibre for some time and felt it was time to upload some more books. But when connecting to the computer, it is not being detected. It does not show as a device in Calibre, does not appear in File Explorer, and the computer (Windows - tried different computers with Windows 10 and Windows 11) does not seem to know it is plugged in. Yes, I have tried many different cables, different USB ports, and even different computers! When plugging in, the Forma itself responds with the option to Connect and then sits there telling me it is Connected and Charging, and reminding me to Eject before unplugging! So there IS some connection happening, but no response from the computer. I expect people to remind me there are known cable issues and I should just try a different cable. But I have tried several and feel there must be something I have overlooked? Like maybe some security issue in Windows or something? Can anyone suggest something more that I should try, please.

10-25-2024, 02:57 PM	#4
tumbi Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10798 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NSW Central Coast Australia Device: Kobo Forma	Thank you guys, for the advice to use a hub. I tried that but without success, I am afraid. I guess now I will try again with a different hub? Meanwhile, I have loaded some new books via Google Drive with a WiFi connection so the Forma is still usable. But I miss the familiar Calibre technique… Last edited by tumbi; 10-25-2024 at 02:59 PM.

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10-25-2024, 01:57 AM	#2
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,791 Karma: 68051336 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	When this was an issue with some older Kobos and Mac connections, connecting the Kobo via a USB hub rather than a computer USB port often worked. I don't remember whether it worked with Windows machines, but if you have a hub lying around, it's worth a shot.

10-25-2024, 10:55 AM	#3
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,271 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Yes that trick of using a USB hub worked on PCs too. Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

10-25-2024, 03:07 PM	#5
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,271 Karma: 78869092 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	You do need to use an older hub with USB A ports Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

10-26-2024, 08:05 AM	#6
tumbi Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10798 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NSW Central Coast Australia Device: Kobo Forma	I went through my drawer with lots of miscellaneous USB stuff and took all the cables that would fit the Forma. While looking, I found 4 more hubs, so I took them out too. Then I started with various combinations to see if I could get the computer to recognise the Forma. Different cables with different hubs in different USB ports. And on the umteenth attempt, with the third hub, it worked! So then I worked at eliminating the cause of the problem: tried different port. Still OK so it is not the USB port. Tried different hub. Still OK, so it is not the hub. Tried different cable. Failed! So the problem was in the cable all the time! I can’t tell you just how many different cables I tried, but all but one failed! To confirm the “good” cable, I just plugged that cable directly into the front USB port (no hub) and all is OK. My observation is all the cables are probably OK. The connector might be a little worn on some and maybe is not making good contact with the Kobo? But the difficulty we are experiencing seems to be a problem ONLY WITH THE KOBO! And I am not the only one to have these problems. I am not aware of any failures with my cables with any other connection. That leaves me to conclude there is some weakness, maybe quality control, in the sockets used by Kobo? Moral of the story …. Listen to the advice offered. Lots of people have said to try a different cable!