Spacedesk Android USB connection not working – solutions summarised 2025
Good day, I am writing this to summarise the challenges I encountered in the process of setting up spacedesk to use my tablet as a second screen for desktop screen extension, and what solved the issues for me.
The challenges
- Spacedesk USB Cable Android connection not working.
- The solution: changing cables.
- Suggestions on the forum that did not solve my issue:
- changing the MPT driver to MPT via USB (my tablet does not seem to have this option) [USB connection not working on Android device (2024)].
- running spacedesk on PC as administrator [Unable to turn on USB Android connection].
- updating USB drivers on PC (already up-to-date)[USB connection not working after shutdown on main device].
- on tablet turning off USB debugging (already off)[USB cable connection is not working].
- restarting PC and tablet.
- Spacedesk lagging and slow refresh rate over Wifi.
- The solutions: connect via USB cable and increase FPS refresh rate to 60Hz in the spacedesk viewer app (I determined my tablet’s refresh rate by going VSYNC tested’s website) [How to change space desk desktop refresh rate].
- Charging tablet while using spacedesk not working: Unresolved for me.
- I have 2 USB Cables (micro-USB to USB-A) to use.
- When using the one cable: Spacedesk works but the tablet does not charge.
- When using the other cable: The tablet charges but the spacedesk app on the tablet does not detect a USB connection.
- What I still need to try: a different cable that hopefully can charge and have spacedesk work at the same time.
- I have 2 USB Cables (micro-USB to USB-A) to use.
My setup.
Tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 (Model SM T-531) running Android 4.4.2, not rooted as of writing this (previously rooted with KingoRoot, bought over 10 years ago (2014).
spacedesk – USB Display for PC version 2.1.16
PC OS: Microsoft Windows Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.4751).
Spacedesk driver msi version 2.1.34 for Windows 10/11 64-bit.
I do not use a USB dock and connect directly to my laptop’s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports.
Wanted to add something
To solve USB not working (black screen), what solved it for me was uninstalling Smart Connect. Not sure what changed, but right after uninstalling it, it started working. Tried all other methods to no avail.
- USB
- Uninstall other applications with overlapping functionality (?)
It works for me too (Uninstall smart connect)
Quote from Panneer on 10/03/2025, 17:09Quote from Freddy on 07/03/2025, 23:43It works for me too (Uninstall smart connect)
Smart Connect as in Intel Smart Connect? I cant find it in Add or Remove programs
In my case, it’s the Smart Connect (Lenovo Inc.) windows app. It’s the “Samsung Dex”-like desktop alternative for Lenovo and Motorola tablets and phones. Thanks @weirdotter for posting this solution.
A bit disappointing of course, because I use both apps for different scenarios – Smart Connect as well as SpaceDesk – and the only solution to use SpaceDesk over USB is to uninstall Smart Connect.
For now I use SpaceDesk on the laptop for high performance display extension over usb and uninstalled Smart Connect, and Smart Connect on the desktop with SpaceDesk over wireless if required.
Hello,
in my case everything was working fine with usb connection between an ASUS tablet (Android) & a PC (windows 10 or windows 11). One day this didn’t work anymore. I’ve checked any of the above mentionned points without success. However I could figure out this was related to some usb connexion limitations : after ACTIVATING the USB debug mode everything went fine again.
I guess that debug mode is giving more rights & access to the protocols communications.
Regards,
Fabien
PS : very nice application…
Quote from Fabien on 05/06/2025, 17:28Hello,
in my case everything was working fine with usb connection between an ASUS tablet (Android) & a PC (windows 10 or windows 11). One day this didn’t work anymore. I’ve checked any of the above mentionned points without success. However I could figure out this was related to some usb connexion limitations : after ACTIVATING the USB debug mode everything went fine again.
I guess that debug mode is giving more rights & access to the protocols communications.
Regards,
FabienPS : very nice application…
Hi i use this setting ,
I use USB tethering, best for me -> phone samsung a52s5g have in developer setting HW acceleration tethering.. for me low latence ..
I use direct connect to IP ( good if restart PC => autoconnect )
If restart phone => get new adresu IP!! Must change ! IN WIN, ANDROID RULLES !
If you set render quality / fps/ resolution -> restart PC > restart app in phone ( info of app and force close -> really close app if use battery optimalizaci off )
My setting in phone and PC and net adapters for IP direct
Sry for OT
Hi all,
We have prepared an internal Driver Package that has a potential fix for the black screen encountered when connecting via USB when Smart Connect is installed. Please test it on your side to see if the fix works on your end. Also, please be reminded that if you wish to use Smart Connect again, you can do so by turning off “USB Cable Android” in the spacedesk Driver Console. Thank you.
Download link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mffky6mtpu7xh4fi65sml/AECjV1xjmErcZuSJwX4qBdI?rlkey=8ienfcf4oje2jr0pkknhiieve&st=lcu71w8t&dl=0
Turns out for the USB Connection to work, you need to turn on USB debugging on your Android device. Regarding the Refresh rate, my phone supports up to 120hz and my laptop default screen is pushing 165hz. When i set the refresh rate to 120hz in my phone’s android setting and via Display settings in my laptop, it was bottlenecking at 60hz. However when i set it to 90hz it works properly.
Laptop : Hp Omen 16 , Ryzen 5 7640HS, RTX 4050
Phone: Honor Magic 7