USB Tethering Greyed Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fix

This is the ULTIMATE blog post to go from “USB tethering settings grayed out” to turning on USB tethering in one click. With all the necessary screenshots and attached media files to go with the flow conveniently.

Although USB tethering is a convenient way of using your mobile as a modem or as a medium to connect to the internet on your PC or laptop, this method is very convenient because your phone has 5G speeds, allowing you to enjoy fast and consistent internet. 

My Experience Fixing USB Tethering Issues on Android

One of the workarounds for USB tethering being grayed out and not being able to toggle it on is to enable Developer Options on your Android device. To do this, you need to tap the build number about seven times to unlock Developer Options.

Once you’re in Developer Options, navigate to the Networking section where you’ll find an option called “Tethering Hardware Acceleration.” Enable this option on your device. Additionally, you can choose what happens when you connect any USB – set USB tethering as the default. This way, when you connect your phone to a PC, it will automatically use USB tethering to share your phone’s internet.

At last, if you’re still experiencing issues, try replacing your USB cable with a new, good-quality data cable.

How to Fix USB Tethering Greyed Out

I’ve often relied on USB tethering to share my Android phone’s internet connection with my computer. It’s a handy feature, but there have been times when it’s been grayed out or simply not working. Through my experiences and research, I’ve discovered various ways to troubleshoot and fix USB tethering issues on my Android device.

Fix 1: Enable Tethering Hardware Accelerations and Then this

The first thing to do when you face this issue is to go straight to the Developer Options, also known as settings. If you don’t see this, then watch this video. After getting into the Developer settings, search for “Tethering Hardware Acceleration” and toggle it on.

1. Open Settings > About Phone.
2. Tap “Build Number” 7 times (the system may ask for your PIN).
3. Return to the main Settings screen; you’ll see Developer Options now.
4. Scroll down to Networking (or a similarly named section).
5. Enable “Tethering Hardware Acceleration.”
6. Optionally, set Default USB Configuration to USB Tethering.

Next, there’s a menu just below that called “Default USB Configuration.” Tap on this and choose USB tethering as the preferred option. So, every time you connect your phone to a PC using USB, it will automatically enable the tethering features. However, if you ever want to move data or transfer files, you can easily do so from the notification bar or from this Default USB Configuration menu.

Fix 2. Check USB Cable and Port

One of the first things I check when facing USB tethering problems is the condition of my USB cable and port. I’ve found that a faulty cable or a dirty port can prevent my phone from establishing a tethering link with my PC.

Bonus: Change The Cable You Are Using

In my experience, up to 50% of tethering issues stem from the cable itself.

1. Use a Data Cable: Some cables only charge; they don’t support data transfer. (e.g., cable from a portable fan or cheap 3rd-party cables).
2. Try a Different Cable: OEM cables (Samsung, Realme, Google, etc.) often have the necessary data lines.
3. Inspect the Port: Dust or debris in your phone’s USB port or PC’s USB port can block data signals.

Example: I once used a Gaiatop portable fan cable that only supported power. Switching to the official Realme cable instantly allowed USB tethering.

This happened to me when I tried fixing this issue on my device. I was using the charging cable from a Gaiatop Portable Clip-on Fan, which can only be used for charging devices—not for transferring files or mobile data as a tethering device.

When I switched to the Realme Narzo 70’s charging cable that came with the charger, the USB tethering started working again. For reference, I’m using the Samsung M33 5G.

I’ve learned that USB tethering requires a stable connection between the phone and PC. Any interruption in the physical connection can prevent tethering from working. By using a different cable or cleaning the port, I eliminate potential physical issues that might block the connection.

Fix 3. Enable Developer Options

When I encountered a grayed-out USB tethering option, I realized it could be because Developer Options were not enabled on my phone. These options unlock advanced settings that can impact how the phone communicates with a PC, including USB configurations.

Sometimes it’s turned off by default in the developer options and you need to turn it on.
Turn on developer mode, in dev options:
Turn on Tethering Hardware Acceleration
Setup Default USB Configuration to USB Tethering

Enabling Developer Options gave me access to settings like USB Debugging and USB Configuration, which are essential for controlling how my phone interacts with other devices via USB. USB Debugging, for example, allows my phone to communicate more effectively with my PC, especially when transferring data or tethering.

Fix 4. Check USB Configuration

I discovered that my phone’s USB configuration might be set to “Charge only” by default, preventing tethering. When I connect my phone to a PC, I make sure to change the USB mode to one that allows data transfer or tethering.

Even if “Tethering Hardware Acceleration” is on, your phone may still default to “Charge Only.”

1. Open Developer Options again.
2. Look for “Default USB Configuration.”
3. Switch it from “No Data Transfer” or “Charging Only” to something like:
   • USB Tethering
   • File Transfer (MTP)
4. Reconnect your phone to your PC.

Android phones can connect to a PC in various modes, such as MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol), or Charging Only. If the phone is set to Charging Only, it won’t allow tethering. Changing the configuration to a data-related mode, like MTP, can enable tethering.

Fix 5. Reset Network Settings

When I’ve exhausted other options, I’ve found that resetting network settings can resolve many issues, including problems with USB tethering. This method resets all network-related settings, including Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth, which can clear out any incorrect configurations that might be causing the issue.

Network settings encompass all the configurations that dictate how the phone connects to the internet and other devices. If these settings are corrupted or misconfigured, resetting them restores the default settings, potentially fixing tethering issues.

Fix 6. Update or Reinstall USB Drivers on PC

Sometimes, I’ve realized that the problem isn’t with my phone but with the computer. If the PC’s USB drivers are outdated or corrupted, it might not recognize my phone properly, preventing tethering. Updating or reinstalling these drivers has helped me resolve such issues.

Sometimes, it’s not your phone’s fault but your computer’s.

1. Open Device Manager on Windows.
2. Find “Android Phone” or “Portable Devices” or a name that references your phone.
3. Right-click and select Update Driver or Uninstall then Scan for hardware changes.
4. Reboot your PC if needed.

USB drivers act as the communication bridge between the phone and PC. If this bridge is broken due to outdated or corrupt drivers, the PC won’t properly recognize the phone, preventing features like tethering from working. By updating or reinstalling these drivers, I restore proper communication between the two devices.

Fix 7. Use a Different Tethering Method

If USB tethering continues to be a problem, I’ve considered switching to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hotspot tethering as an alternative. However, this might not always be the preferred solution for everyone, as demas11 pointed out:

“Bluetooth tethering is activated, but I would prefer to ‘hardwire’ it to my laptop.” (Oct 2021)

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi tethering use wireless methods to share the phone’s internet with a PC. While these methods are convenient, they might not offer the same stability or speed as a direct USB connection, which is why I often prefer to stick with USB tethering when possible.

Additional Tips

However, in some cases, when you’re trying to use USB tethering or enable it, you may find that it is grayed out in the settings, preventing you from turning it on or toggling it. This can be extremely frustrating when you really want to use it but can’t because it is grayed out.

• USB hubs: If you’re using a USB hub, try connecting your device directly to a USB port on your computer to see if that makes a difference.
• Third-party software: Certain third-party software can interfere with USB tethering. Try disabling any unnecessary software temporarily.
• Seek professional help: If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the problem persists, consider contacting your device’s manufacturer or a technical support professional.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “USB tethering grayed out” issue and enjoy the convenience of using your phone’s internet connection on your computer.

Summary of Fixes for USB Tethering Issues

Conclusion

After trying all these tips from the internet and experimenting myself with both a Samsung M33 and a Realme Narzo 70+ (both 5G devices), we initially realized that the grayed-out USB tethering option often means you are using the wrong USB cable. Some USB cables only support charging, while others support data transfer and additional features.

So, try switching the USB cable and then enable tethering hardware acceleration from the Developer Options. Make sure to select the default USB function as USB tethering. Doing these steps should resolve the issue for Android devices.

I hope you found this information helpful. If it doesn’t work, please leave a comment below and share your experience with other users who will read this blog post. If you’re still unsure about what to do next, feel free to contact us for assistance.