If you’ve encountered the error message “MTP Device – A service installation section in this INF is invalid” when connecting an MTP-enabled device to your Windows PC, you’re not alone.
MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) allows both your device and your computer to access internal storage simultaneously. This wasn’t always the case—older MP3 players and early smartphones connected via USB mass storage mode, similar to USB flash drives. In that mode, the computer had full access to the memory, but the device itself lost access. This meant you couldn’t use the device while transferring files. With smartphones, that limitation would be unacceptable, which is why MTP was introduced.
This guide focuses primarily on fixing this error for smartphones and tablets, though a few portable music players, USB modems, and Wi-Fi cards with built-in storage might also use MTP.
Preliminary Checks
Before diving into the solution, ensure you’ve already ruled out common causes:
Check the USB Port and Cable: Make sure the port is clean and free of debris. Try a different cable and a different USB port.
Test on Another Computer: If possible, try connecting your device to another computer to determine whether the issue lies with your PC or the device itself.
Avoid Dodgy Driver Software: Many websites suggest downloading automatic driver update tools or third-party driver packs. These can be harmful and offer little control over what gets installed. Windows already has the necessary drivers in most cases.
Step-by-Step Fix
The solution involves updating the drivers manually through Device Manager. The exact steps vary depending on how your device is recognized by Windows.
Step 1: Open Device Manager and Identify the Device
Disconnect your device from the PC.
Open Device Manager (Press Win + X and select Device Manager).
Reconnect your device and observe where it appears in the list. You may need to reconnect it multiple times to locate it.
Your device will appear in one of two ways:
Detected under “USB” or “Portable Devices” Section (e.g., listed as MTP Device or your phone’s make and model).
Detected under “Other Devices” Section (e.g., listed as Unknown Device or MTP with an exclamation mark).
Step 2: Update the Driver
If your device appears in the USB or Portable Devices section:
Right-click on the device and select Update Driver.
Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
Manually enter the driver location:C:\Windows\INF
Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Select MTP USB Device and click Next.
If this doesn’t work, repeat the process and try another MTP USB Device driver from the list.
If your device appears under Other Devices:
Right-click and select Update Driver.
Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
Choose Android Device (if applicable).
Select MTP USB Device and proceed with the installation.
If the first driver doesn’t work, try different options from the list.
Step 3: Reconnect Your Device
After installing the driver, unplug and reconnect your device. It should now appear correctly in File Explorer, allowing you to browse, copy, and delete files without issues.
Conclusion
This method has been tested on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. The built-in Windows troubleshooter is often ineffective for this issue, but manually selecting the correct driver typically resolves it.
With these steps, your MTP device should be working properly again!