Fix A device attached to the system is not functioning Windows 10

Basically, this is a compatibility problem that occurs between your iPhone/iPad, and your Windows PC. Indeed, this is a Windows-only error; it does not occur on macOS. It appears that the majority of iPhone and iPad users encounter this error after connecting their iOS devices to a Windows PC to upload images and videos. The common reasons are:

Fix A device attached to the system is not functioning Windows 10 Method 1: Reconnect your iOS Device Method 2: Use a Different USB to Lightning/Type-C Cable Method 3: Restart your Windows 10 System Method 4: Update/Reinstall Apple iPhone Driver Method 5: Clear Storage Space Method 6: Install/Update iTunes Method 7: Set Photos to Keep Originals Method 8: Reset Location & Privacy Method 9: Update iOS/ iPadOS

Obsolete iTunes app Incompatible Windows device drivers Outdated iOS/iPad OS Issues with connecting cable or connection port Out-of-date Windows Operating System

We have explained various methods to potentially, fix a device attached to the system is not functioning error on Windows 10 systems. If your iOS software is not supported by iTunes, you can still use the same methods.

Method 1: Reconnect your iOS Device

This error can occur as a result of an improper link between your iPhone and your Windows computer. Perhaps,

the cable is not wired to the USB port correctly, or the connecting cable is damaged, or the USB port is faulty.

You can try reconnecting your iPhone and confirm if you could fix a device attached to the system is not functioning error. Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Not Recognizing iPhone

Method 2: Use a Different USB to Lightning/Type-C Cable

Lightning cables by Apple are prone to deterioration over time. If the cable is damaged,

you may face issues while charging your iPhone, or you may have gotten Accessory might not be supported message. or A device attached to the system is not functioning error.

Hence, use a different connecting cable to re-establish the connection between your iPhone/iPad to Windows desktop/laptop.

Method 3: Restart your Windows 10 System

A reboot of your computer will assist you in resolving minor glitches with the device, and might fix A device attached to the system is not functioning Windows 10 error. Restart the computer and see if the problem is resolved.

If these basic troubleshooting methods couldn’t fix A device attached to the system is not functioning issue, we shall try more complex solutions to get rid of the said error. Also Read: Fix iPhone Cannot Send SMS messages

Method 4: Update/Reinstall Apple iPhone Driver

You should update the iPhone or iPad device drivers on your Windows 10 PC manually, to check if this resolves A device attached to the system is not functioning Windows 10 issue. Note: Make sure you have a stable internet connection with good speed to update the drivers without interruption. Follow the steps given below to update Apple Device drivers:

  1. Click on the Windows search bar and search for Device Manager. Open it from the search results, as depicted below.

  2. Right-click on your Apple device from the Portable devices list.

  3. Now, click on Update Driver, as highlighted.

Your iPhone drivers will be updated on your Windows computer and compatibility issues resolved. If not, you can reinstall Apple Driver as follows:

  1. Launch Device Manager and go to Apple Driver, as earlier.

  2. Right-click on Apple iPhone Driver and select Uninstall Device, as shown.

  3. Restart your system and then, reconnect your iOS device.

  4. Click on Settings from Start Menu and then, click Update & Security, as depicted.  

  5. You will see a list of all available updates under the Updates available section. Install iPhone driver from here.

Method 5: Clear Storage Space

Since media gets converted into HEIF or HEVC images and videos before being transferred to PCs, shortage of storage space on your iOS device might trigger A device attached to the system is not functioning issue. Therefore, before proceeding to the other fixes, we suggest that you check the available storage space on your iPhone/iPad.

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Click on iPhone Storage, as shown below.

You must have at least 1 GB of free space on your iPhone or iPad, at all times. If you notice that the usable room is less than the desired space, free up space on your device. Also Read: How to Restore Whatsapp Backup From Google Drive to iPhone

Method 6: Install/Update iTunes

Even though you may not be using iTunes to merge or back up data on your iPhone or iPad, it is crucial to have it enabled on your device. This will help prevent problems while sharing images and videos. Since an obsolete version of iTunes may cause A device attached to the system is not functioning issue, update the iTunes app by following these steps:

  1. Search Apple Software Update in the Windows search, as illustrated below.

  2. Launch Apple Software Update by clicking on Run as administrator, as highlighted.

  3. Now, Check for updates and install/update iTunes.

Method 7: Set Photos to Keep Originals

In order to fix A device attached to the system is not functioning iPhone error, this method is a must-try. With the release of iOS 11, iPhones and iPads now utilize Apple HEIF (High-Efficiency Image File) format to store images at a decreased file size, by default. However, when these files are transferred to a PC, they are converted to the standard JPEG format. You can solve this problem by avoiding the file transfer, altogether.

  1. Go to the Settings Menu on your iPhone.

  2. Scroll down the menu, and tap on Photos.

  3. In the Transfer to MAC or PC section, check the Keep Originals option.

 Hereafter, your device will transfer the original files without checking for compatibility.

Method 8: Reset Location & Privacy

When you link your iOS device to any computer for the very first time, your device prompts Trust This Computer message.

You need to tap on Trust to allow the iPhone/iPad to trust your computer system. If you chose Don’t Trust mistakenly, it will not allow you to transfer images to your computer. In this case, you will need to re-enable this message by resetting your location and privacy settings when you connect your device to your computer. Here’s how to do so:

  1. Open the Settings app from the Home Screen.

  2. Tap on General.

  3. Scroll down and tap on Reset.

  4. From the given list, choose Reset Location & Privacy.

  5. Finally, disconnect and reconnect your iPhone to the PC. Also Read: How to Hard Reset iPad Mini

Method 9: Update iOS/ iPadOS

Updating the iOS software on your iPhone or iPad will help fix minor errors that occur when linking your iOS device to a Windows computer. First and foremost, backup all data on your iOS device. Then, follow these steps to update iOS:

  1. Go to Settings and tap on General. 2.  Tap on Software Update, as shown. Your iOS device will check for available updates.

  2. If you see a new update, click on Download and Install.

  3. Enter your passcode and let it download.

Additional Fix If none of the above-mentioned solutions could fix a device attached to the system is not functioning error,

Force restart your iPhone or iPad. Restore your iOS device from a previous backup via iTunes or iCloud.

Q1. Why does my iPhone say a device attached to the system is not functioning? When iOS 11 was released, Apple changed the default audio & video formats on the iOS devices from JPEG and H.264 to HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Format) and HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Codec) respectively. The newer formats are, in particular, very effective in terms of reduced storage requirements and comparable visual quality. However, they aren’t compliant with other devices. Hence, Apple has provided a feature that converts photos and videos into device-compatible formats automatically, during file sharing. Regrettably, a glitch in the real-time conversion process seems to be the source of the A device attached to the system is not functioning error when transferring files to a Windows PC. Q2. Why can’t I transfer videos from iPhone to computer? You are not able to transfer videos from iPhone to a computer for the following reasons:

You don’t have enough space on your PC Your iPhone is locked Your data cable is not supported Your iOS version is not updated Your PC is not updated The PC device drivers are malfunctioning

Recommended:

How to Fix Apple Virus Warning Message How to Reset Apple ID Security Questions Fix iPhone Overheating and Won’t Turn On How to Install Bluetooth on Windows 10?

We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to fix A device attached to the system is not functioning on Windows 10 issue. Let us know which method worked for you best. Drop your queries in the comment section below.

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