Why Won’t Sony TV Read The USB?(+Fixes)

Sony is a household name in audio-visuals, including TVs. Unfortunately, your Sony TV might refuse to read your US. If this happens, rely on our tried-and-tested guidelines presented here to fix it fast and continue enjoying the entertainment.

Why won’t my Sony TV read my USB? You might be using the wrong file format or a charging USB cord. Media Transfer Protocol setting, hardware issues, and bugs are other common culprits.

This article addresses typical reasons your Sony TV won’t read your USB and how to resolve it. Keep reading for these and much more. Check out the list of the best streaming devices on Amazon now!

Which USB Format Works on Sony Bravia TV?

NTFS, FAT32, FAT16, and exFat formats work on the 2015-to-2021 models of Sony Bravia Android TV and Google TVs except the W800 series.

They also support Sony non-Android TV models 2013-to-2016, excluding R/WD/WE/XE70 series.

Other than exFAT, these file formats support Sony Android TV (W800 series), W800/W804 models. The same applies to Sony non-Android TVs (R/WD/WG6/XG70/X70 series), models 2013-to-2020.

If you want to check your USB’s format, follow the steps below.

1. In Windows Explorer, right-click the USB drive.
2. Choose your device.
3. On the General tab, check File System.

Why Won’t Sony TV Read USB?

As usual, let’s first discuss why the issue appeared in the first place, and then get to the troubleshooting in the next section.

Wrong Format

If your Sony TV won’t read your USB, your device might not have been formatted in one of the file formats we’ve seen above. You should use the file systems that Windows provide (FAT-NTFS).

If the problem persists, you might have used a file system that your Sony Bravia TV model doesn’t support (refer to the last section for a list of formats that work with your Sony TV).

Wrong File Size

However, the file size also matters. If your file is larger than 4GB, use the exFAT file system. Otherwise, your Sony TV won’t support it.

Faulty USB Cable

Another common reason Sony TVs refuse to read USB is the poor quality of the USB cord.

Some USB cables charge electronic devices but can’t transfer data. If the one you are using falls under this category, the TV won’t read your device.

Wrong Protocol

If you are trying to connect a device that uses Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), it could be the reason you are having an unpleasant experience. Sony TVs don’t support this type of communication.

Hardware Issues

Some hardware issues especially burned-out USB ports can also hinder the TV from recognizing your USB. Software bugs can do the same.

How to Get USB to Work on Sony TV?

Here are the steps you should follow to get your USB to work on your Sony TV:

Step 1:  Reconnect or Replace the USB

1. Since a high-quality USB cord cannot connect because of poor connectivity, reconnect it and see whether that resolves the issue.
2. If nothing happens, verify whether the USB cable transfers data.
3. Replace the cable with one that charges devices and transfers data if it’s unhelpful.
4. Test whether the TV can read your USB. Proceed to the next step if it doesn’t work.

Step 2: Change Settings from Media Transfer Protocol

Since some Sony TVs don’t support MTP, you should:

1. Change the setting to Mass Storage Class (MSM).
2. Test to see how the new setting works.
3. If the issue persists, try changing the setting to the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP).

Note: 

• The efficiency of the PTP depends on your TV model.
• For your device’s specifications and setting methods, refer to your user manual.

To operate Mass Storage Class on an Xperia™ Z3, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the Home screen.
2. Choose Xperia Connectivity.
3. Select the USB connectivity mode.
4. Choose Mass storage mode.

You can conclude that the connected device’s internal memory doesn’t support MSC. So, transfer your data to any removable memory, like an SD card.

If the issue still takes place, connect the device to a screen mirroring, MHL cable, or Wi-Fi Direct feature.

Step 3: Format the File in the FAT32 System

You can start with this if you suspect it’s the culprit. We’ve discussed how to check your file format at the very beginning of this article.

Your Sony TVs can support many other formats. However, FAT32 is one of the most reliable ones.

Use a computer to reconfigure the USB to the file system. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Go to the File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the USB memory device.
3. Choose your device.
4. Select FAT32 as your target file format.
5. Check the Quick Format check box.
6. Select Start for the formatting to begin.

If you don’t see the required change, repeat the procedure. Ensure you uncheck the Quick Format box this time.

Step 4: Reboot Your TV

You can restart the TV to remove temporary errors as well. Simply unplug your TV from the power source, wait for a few minutes, plug it back in.

If that fails, go to the last step below.

Step 5: Factory Reset Your TV

If your Sony TV uses Android or Google OS, follow these steps:

1. Open the TV’s menu. 
2. Go to Settings. 
3. Select Storage & Reset.
4. Select Restore factory settings.
5. Select Erase all data.
6. Confirm the reset.

If you have the Standard Sony Bravia Model, follow the steps below.

1. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet for a few minutes.
2. Reconnect the cable. The TV will turn on immediately.
3. Wait for 40 seconds.
4. On your remote, push and hold the Up arrow buttons.
5. Without releasing the up buttons, press the Power button until the screen reads “Reset” or the TV switches off.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

If nothing works, you could be a victim of hardware problems. Reach out to an approved repair technician. Check out the list of the best streaming devices on Amazon now!

How to Play USB on Sony Bravia TV the Right Way?

To play USB on Sony TV the right way, start by doing this:

1. Back up your media files stored on your USB device.
2. Ensure your TV supports your file format.
3. Now you can make the connection. Do this:
4. Connect the USB memory device to the TV USB port.
5. If required, turn on the USB device.
6. On the TV remote, press the Home button.
7. Select one of the following depending on your Sony TV model:

• Media > Photos, Music or Videos > Select name of the connected device.
• Connected Devices > USB > Photos, Music or Videos.
• Media Server > USB.

8. Choose your preferred file and play.

Summing Up

Sony remains a household name in electronics, including TV. If your Sony TV can’t read your USB memory device, follow the steps above to fix it and consult your user manual whenever you need more support to avoid making simple, costly mistakes.