Drone not detected on laptop

[Torqoholic]

I am having issues connecting my DJI Neo to my laptop. The laptop is not detecting the Drone. I have tried different USB ports, different cables, different laptops (Mac and Windows) and even tried connecting to an iPhone (via cable). The drone does not get detected. I am able to transfer files wirelessly to my phone via the Fly app. Drone is 3 months old. No crashes or water contact. This is the first time i tried connecting the drone to the laptop. Please help.

 

[Christian]

It sounds like USB port defect...

 

[NEO 317]

Hello from the Crossroads of America Torqoholic

Nice to meet you.

I did a quick search and found this...

Google Search

Hopefully it will help.

Welcome to the Forum.

.

 

[Kilrah]

Use an A to C cable.

 

[Torqoholic]

Thank you @NEO 317 and @Kilrah @Christian
I am using USB-C (Drone side) to USB-A (Laptop side). No luck. By the way, my laptop only has A type. So cannot try USB-C on both ends.
Additional info -
1. Updated firmware just now and still no luck.
2. And also, this is the second time (not the first time) I’m connecting to laptop. It worked the first time sometime back in May 2025.
3. Drone is charging when connected via cable. Just not showing up as a drive to access files. Attaching a photo

 

[Christian]

Thank you @NEO 317 and @Kilrah @Christian
I am using USB-C (Drone side) to USB-A (Laptop side). No luck. By the way, my laptop only has A type. So cannot try USB-C on both ends.
Additional info -
1. Updated firmware just now and still no luck.
2. And also, this is the second time (not the first time) I’m connecting to laptop. It worked the first time sometime back in May 2025.
3. Drone is charging when connected via cable. Just not showing up as a drive to access files. Attaching a photo

I don´t see too much, but looks like the drone turned off

 

[Torqoholic]

The pic was reference for the type of cable used and to show that it is charging. The drone need not be ‘On’ for file transfer (although I have tried with it On and Off both). In fact, it doesn’t even need to have the battery in it for file transfer. Anything specific u want me to check/try?

 

[Christian]

If still under warranty, bring it back where you bought it.

 

[Christian]

I´ve seen only one type of issue like this. If the neo not recognized by the laptop and the wifi on your laptop turns off, because the laptop thinks it´s a wired internet source. But should connect to the smartphone via otg cable.

 

[Torqoholic]

I have tried connecting to the phone as well. Same story. Sadly, in India we do not have any authorised dealers or service providers. So no warranty here. I guess I’ll have to try 3rd party. Anyway, thanks for your help

 

[Christian]

I have tried connecting to the phone as well. Same story. Sadly, in India we do not have any authorised dealers or service providers. So no warranty here. I guess I’ll have to try 3rd party. Anyway, thanks for your help

I had similar issue with both of neos. But I realized, that the neo turns off the wifi. So I went to the ethernet settings and there was a unknown network. I turned it off and everything turned back into normal.
I guess you have a faulty usb port.

 

[Torqoholic]

Probably.
Will go and get the port checked by a technician

 

[scanny]

Here's what I would do.

1. connect phone with a cable, if laptops sees phone as a drive in File Explorer I would consider cable is good. If you have any other device which supposed to show as a drive in Windows like a camera, old phone, handheld GSP etc - connect with the same cable making sure that cable is not the problem. Some cables are really weird.

2. When NEO connected to the laptop with verified cable (not powered on) - in Windows Computer Manager go to Device Manager and click "Scan or hardware changes" in there. If new device is not detected I would try to restart computer with NEO connected. Thoretically there might be issue with permissions or USB drivers, but if other devices are detected without issues it's unlikely.

3. Install DJI assistant and see if it can see NEO (NEO needs to be powered on)

4. Try to use different computer (with verified cable) like work computer, friends desktop an so on.

If nothing of this works chances are that problem is on NEO side - in this case I would contact DJI support asking if there's anything else I could do, maybe there's some hidden reset function or some diagnosting app or something else.

 

[Christian]

Here's what I would do.

1. connect phone with a cable, if laptops sees phone as a drive in File Explorer I would consider cable is good. If you have any other device which supposed to show as a drive in Windows like a camera, old phone, handheld GSP etc - connect with the same cable making sure that cable is not the problem. Some cables are really weird.

2. When NEO connected to the laptop with verified cable (not powered on) - in Windows Computer Manager go to Device Manager and click "Scan or hardware changes" in there. If new device is not detected I would try to restart computer with NEO connected. Thoretically there might be issue with permissions or USB drivers, but if other devices are detected without issues it's unlikely.

3. Install DJI assistant and see if it can see NEO (NEO needs to be powered on)

4. Try to use different computer (with verified cable) like work computer, friends desktop an so on.

If nothing of this works chances are that problem is on NEO side - in this case I would contact DJI support asking if there's anything else I could do, maybe there's some hidden reset function or some diagnosting app or something else.

He wrote, that he tried more cables, more laptops, more ports etc. But still if you connect the drone with otg to the smartphone should work regardless the issue with laptop or windows.

 

[scanny]

He wrote, that he tried more cables, more laptops, more ports etc. But still if you connect the drone with otg to the smartphone should work regardless the issue with laptop or windows.

I know, but he might have few cables for power only, I once tried 3 cables for my GPS had only 4th cable worked. But two of those first 3 cables was working with my phone. Generally cables from good brands like DJI, Samsung or Anker should work without problems but I guess there might be exceptions. Laptops also might have restrictions on USB ports especially if it work laptops. On my work laptop for example I cannot use USB ports to transfer files, any device connected won't be shown as a drive.

 

[Christian]

He wrote
"2. And also, this is the second time (not the first time) I’m connecting to laptop. It worked the first time sometime back in May 2025."

 

[GFields]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

Just curious, are you turning "on" the NEO?

 

[Christian]

Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!

Just curious, are you turning "on" the NEO?

He wrote:
"The pic was reference for the type of cable used and to show that it is charging. The drone need not be ‘On’ for file transfer (although I have tried with it On and Off both). In fact, it doesn’t even need to have the battery in it for file transfer. Anything specific u want me to check/try?"

 

[GFields]

He wrote:
"The pic was reference for the type of cable used and to show that it is charging. The drone need not be ‘On’ for file transfer (although I have tried with it On and Off both). In fact, it doesn’t even need to have the battery in it for file transfer. Anything specific u want me to check/try?"

Has to be on for me to transfer files.

 

[Christian]

Has to be on for me to transfer files.

yes, I asked him already, because on the photo the drone is off, just charging.