Kobo not recognized by computer

lucloup001 · 02-09-2018, 02:56 PM

When I plug my Kobo Aura H2O on my computer, absolutely nothing happens, no message either on my computer or the Kobo. I tried changing the cable, changing the usb port, I talked with a Windows person, a Kobo person, nobody seems able to help me. Is there a Genius reading this message who can help me? SOS.

Luc

Richwood · 02-09-2018, 03:21 PM

Has the hookup ever worked with this computer and Kobo combination? Only times I have had this problem it turned out to be a cable problem. Does the cable work with other devices? Some USB cables are power only and cannot be used for data transfer. Do the ports work with USB memory drives?

Try on another computer too and if the reader fails on both with a known good cable then the reader usb has failed.

davidfor · 02-09-2018, 07:58 PM

As well as what Richwood said, does the charging indicator show? If not, with everything else, it is probably a hardware fault on the device. But, you need to also test another PC to be sure.

Browning7 · 02-12-2018, 08:57 PM

I have the exact same problem as does my husband with his Kobo on his computer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I have tried different ports and different USB cables. It seems to be an intermittent problem. We are both running the Kobo Aura 2nd edition. I just tried the original Kobo, and a Kobo Glo, both running older versions of the operating system, and these seem to run just fine. I contacted Kobo about this and they could not offer a solution to the problem. Another problem I have encountered is that chapter endings are sometime dropped. They are there in the file as when I read the book on Calibre the chapter endings are there. Again, Rakutenkobo staff were mystified by this.
I also noted that both earlier version of the Kobo are recognized in Calibre while the Aura 2nd Edition never is. I have to use the "connect/share" function...which only works when Windows 10 decides to recognize it as a drive.

rcentros · 02-12-2018, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucloup001

When I plug my Kobo Aura H2O on my computer, absolutely nothing happens, no message either on my computer or the Kobo. I tried changing the cable, changing the usb port, I talked with a Windows person, a Kobo person, nobody seems able to help me.

Probably a long shot, but have you tried plugging your Kobo into one of the back USB ports? Sometimes there is a voltage difference between USB ports that come directly off of the motherboard and ones that are on the front of the computer.

meeera · 02-13-2018, 09:37 PM

Also just on principle do a full reboot of both device and computer.

Browning7 · 02-16-2018, 12:06 PM

Further to the suggestions above, I have tried everything including a factory reset on the Kobo, using various cables, using various ports as well as rebooting the computer. The problems remains as an intermittent problem. As my spouse has the same problems on his computer intermittently as well using another Kobo Aura 2nd Edition, I suspect the problem is a Kobo problem. (The Kobo recognizes the computer, but Windows does not recognize the Kobo.)

rcentros · 02-16-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Browning7

Further to the suggestions above, I have tried everything including a factory reset on the Kobo, using various cables, using various ports as well as rebooting the computer. The problems remains as an intermittent problem. As my spouse has the same problems on his computer intermittently as well using another Kobo Aura 2nd Edition, I suspect the problem is a Kobo problem. (The Kobo recognizes the computer, but Windows does not recognize the Kobo.)

I would be curious to see if a live (bootable) version of Linux would connect the Kobo consistently to the same hardware. I wondering if this isn't a Windows issue of some kind.

PeterT · 02-16-2018, 09:19 PM

I wonder if t might be USB driver related as in what version and supplier is in use on the PC?

Nascarfan1972 · 02-18-2018, 05:15 AM

Make sure the wireless connection is disabled on the kobo, it this is enabled the device will not connect to the computer. At least that is what I have found.

davidfor · 02-18-2018, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nascarfan1972

Make sure the wireless connection is disabled on the kobo, it this is enabled the device will not connect to the computer. At least that is what I have found.

I don't know if that is the case for the WiFi, but it is not needed for any of the newer Kobo devices. I never turn the WiFi off for any of my devices and have no problems connecting to the PC.

icallaci · 02-18-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nascarfan1972

Make sure the wireless connection is disabled on the kobo, it this is enabled the device will not connect to the computer. At least that is what I have found.

My wireless is always turned off, but it makes no difference. The devices that have a problem connecting (original Aura One and H20 2nd edition) still have a problem connecting. My Aura One Limited Edition, on the other hand, never has a problem connecting, and I love love love it.

Oolong · 05-09-2018, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Probably a long shot, but have you tried plugging your Kobo into one of the back USB ports? Sometimes there is a voltage difference between USB ports that come directly off of the motherboard and ones that are on the front of the computer.

I just wanted to say thanks, this worked! Bizarre that this would make a difference - not sure I'd ever have tried if I hadn't found this while searching for solutions to this same problem. Cheers!

rcentros · 05-10-2018, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oolong

I just wanted to say thanks, this worked! Bizarre that this would make a difference - not sure I'd ever have tried if I hadn't found this while searching for solutions to this same problem. Cheers!

Glad to hear it. I think a few years back I had a USB hard drive (or some USB device) that wouldn't work on the front USB ports but worked fine on the back ones. I guess a little extra voltage can make a lot of difference.

BuggleBeans · 09-10-2018, 06:51 AM

Hello everyone, I know it has been a long time since anyone posted to this thread but I suffered from the same problem and tried everything in this thread without result (probably because I use a laptop).

until!,. I plugged in an USB expansion hub, Suddenly my kobo does recognize my computer and I can transfer files without any problems.

The particular USB expansion thingie that I used was a laptop holder from Sweex DS201 notebook station but I am pretty certain that it will work with other USB hubs as well.

I read that in some cases it is indeed the difference between voltages of the USB ports but if you have a laptop the voltages are almost always the same on all ports which is why it makes sense that only an external USB hub would work.

Good luck and let me know if it works for you too!

02-09-2018, 02:56 PM	#1
lucloup001 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2018 Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Kobo not recognized by computer When I plug my Kobo Aura H2O on my computer, absolutely nothing happens, no message either on my computer or the Kobo. I tried changing the cable, changing the usb port, I talked with a Windows person, a Kobo person, nobody seems able to help me. Is there a Genius reading this message who can help me? SOS. Luc

09-10-2018, 06:51 AM	#15
BuggleBeans Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2018 Device: Kobo	I solved it for my case! Hello everyone, I know it has been a long time since anyone posted to this thread but I suffered from the same problem and tried everything in this thread without result (probably because I use a laptop). until!,. I plugged in an USB expansion hub, Suddenly my kobo does recognize my computer and I can transfer files without any problems. The particular USB expansion thingie that I used was a laptop holder from Sweex DS201 notebook station but I am pretty certain that it will work with other USB hubs as well. I read that in some cases it is indeed the difference between voltages of the USB ports but if you have a laptop the voltages are almost always the same on all ports which is why it makes sense that only an external USB hub would work. Good luck and let me know if it works for you too!

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02-09-2018, 03:21 PM	#2
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Has the hookup ever worked with this computer and Kobo combination? Only times I have had this problem it turned out to be a cable problem. Does the cable work with other devices? Some USB cables are power only and cannot be used for data transfer. Do the ports work with USB memory drives? Try on another computer too and if the reader fails on both with a known good cable then the reader usb has failed.

02-09-2018, 07:58 PM	#3
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,907 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	As well as what Richwood said, does the charging indicator show? If not, with everything else, it is probably a hardware fault on the device. But, you need to also test another PC to be sure.

02-12-2018, 08:57 PM	#4
Browning7 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Classic, Viewsonic	I have the exact same problem as does my husband with his Kobo on his computer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I have tried different ports and different USB cables. It seems to be an intermittent problem. We are both running the Kobo Aura 2nd edition. I just tried the original Kobo, and a Kobo Glo, both running older versions of the operating system, and these seem to run just fine. I contacted Kobo about this and they could not offer a solution to the problem. Another problem I have encountered is that chapter endings are sometime dropped. They are there in the file as when I read the book on Calibre the chapter endings are there. Again, Rakutenkobo staff were mystified by this. I also noted that both earlier version of the Kobo are recognized in Calibre while the Aura 2nd Edition never is. I have to use the "connect/share" function...which only works when Windows 10 decides to recognize it as a drive.

02-13-2018, 09:37 PM	#6
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,658 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Also just on principle do a full reboot of both device and computer.

02-16-2018, 12:06 PM	#7
Browning7 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Classic, Viewsonic	Further to the suggestions above, I have tried everything including a factory reset on the Kobo, using various cables, using various ports as well as rebooting the computer. The problems remains as an intermittent problem. As my spouse has the same problems on his computer intermittently as well using another Kobo Aura 2nd Edition, I suspect the problem is a Kobo problem. (The Kobo recognizes the computer, but Windows does not recognize the Kobo.)

02-16-2018, 09:19 PM	#9
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,166 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	I wonder if t might be USB driver related as in what version and supplier is in use on the PC?

02-18-2018, 05:15 AM	#10
Nascarfan1972 Banned Posts: 95 Karma: 29532 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Glo/Mini/Aura/Glo HD/Clara/Libra & Forma & Kindle PW	Make sure the wireless connection is disabled on the kobo, it this is enabled the device will not connect to the computer. At least that is what I have found.