How to Fix “An Unexpected Error Is Keeping You From Copying the File”

Devices that allow you to access their internal storage connect seamlessly with a Windows 10 system in most cases. You may need to install a driver or an app but you will almost always be able to access files saved to the storage of a device from File Explorer. The only condition is that the device itself doesn’t restrict you from accessing its storage or the storage isn’t ‘protected’.

Fix ‘Error copying file or folder – The device is unreachable’

While it is easy to access files from the storage of an external device, you can run into occasional problems trying to copy and paste items to your Windows PC’s own storage. The ‘Error copying file or folder – The device is unreachable’ is one common error you may encounter (also seen as error 0x80070141). This usually appears when you’re copying from a phone or a camera over USB. The files may be visible in File Explorer and you may be able to open them, but when you try to copy or move them, the message appears.

1. Disconnect and reconnect device

This error is fairly benign and often indicates the device briefly became unreachable or unresponsive (common with MTP transfers). A simple fix is to remove the device and connect it again.

1. Disconnect the cable connecting the device to your system.
2. Make sure the device disappears from File Explorer (This PC).
3. Unlock the phone/camera and respond to any prompts on the device (e.g., Allow access to photos and videos / Trust this computer).
4. Reconnect and try the copy again.

2. Change device connection type (Android & cameras)

Android devices can connect in different USB modes. For file copies, you want MTP (File Transfer).

1. Disconnect the phone from your PC.
2. Reconnect it and swipe down to open Notifications.
3. Tap the USB notification (e.g., Charging this device via USB).
4. Select File Transfer / MTP. For cameras, try PTP if MTP is unstable.
5. In File Explorer, open the device and try copying again.

3. Change data cable

Damaged or charge-only cables can cause intermittent MTP errors. Use a known-good USB data cable, try a different USB port (USB 2.0 can be more reliable for some phones/cameras), and avoid USB hubs. For best results, connect directly to the PC.

4. iPhone/iPad: Stop on-the-fly conversion

If the error occurs when copying photos/videos from an iPhone or iPad, it’s often due to iOS converting HEIC/HEVC files to JPEG/H.264 during transfer, which can time out over MTP.

1. On iPhone/iPad, go to Settings > Photos.
2. Under Transfer to Mac or PC, choose Keep Originals (instead of Automatic).
3. Reconnect and try the copy again.

Optional: If Windows can’t open HEIC/HEVC, install Microsoft’s HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions, or on iPhone set Settings > Camera > Formats to Most Compatible for future photos/videos.

5. Copy in smaller batches & shorten long paths

Large batches and very long filenames/paths (near the Windows path length limit) can trigger copy failures. Copy a few hundred items at a time, or move by album. If a particular file fails, rename it shorter on the device first and retry.

6. Reset the USB/MTP stack on Windows

• Device Manager → expand Portable Devices and Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right-click your phone/camera and Uninstall device, then unplug/replug to reinstall.
• Disable USB power saving: In Device Manager, open each USB Root Hub → Power Management → uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
• Run Windows Update and install any driver updates for MTP/phone support.

7. Use an alternative import method

• Use the Photos app on Windows (Import > From a connected device) for a more robust transfer pipeline.
• For iPhone, consider iCloud Photos (download originals via the iCloud for Windows app) if USB remains unreliable.
• For cameras/action cams, a card reader avoids MTP entirely.

Troubleshooting checklist

• Unlock the device and keep the screen on.
• Tap “Allow/Trust” when prompted.
• Try a different USB port (preferably on the back of a desktop) and a known-good data cable.
• Switch Android USB mode to File Transfer (MTP) or try PTP for photos only.
• On iPhone/iPad, set Keep Originals and/or install HEIF/HEVC extensions on Windows.
• Copy in smaller batches; watch for problem files with very long names.
• Restart both devices and retry.

Conclusion

The ‘Error copying file or folder – The device is unreachable’ usually isn’t a permissions issue. It’s almost always a temporary connectivity or file-format/transfer-mode problem. Reconnecting the device, switching to the correct USB mode, using a proper data cable, and—on iPhone—disabling on-the-fly conversion (Keep Originals) resolve it in most cases.

What’s New in This Update

• Added iPhone/iPad fix: Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC > Keep Originals, plus options for HEIF/HEVC support on Windows.
• Expanded Android steps to explicitly select File Transfer/MTP and try PTP for cameras.
• New guidance to copy in smaller batches and troubleshoot long filenames/paths that can cause error 0x80070141.
• Added USB/MTP reset steps (Device Manager, power saving off) and alternative import methods (Windows Photos, iCloud, card reader).
• Updated language to include Windows 10/11 and modern device prompts (Trust/Allow).

Last updated: 27 October 2025

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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