Z5 does not recharge via usb when connected to computer

[notjv]

My Experia Z5 phone currently can only be charged with chargers that connect directly to electrical outlets/sockets.

When I try to plug my phone into an USB port of a computer, I get a short sound on my phone (indicating that the phone has registered some kind of usb connection) but neither does my phone get charged nor is it recognized by the computer.

I tried connecting it to several ports of several different computers, running Linux and/or Windows, but to no avail. The usb cable is functional (works with other phones).

I tried to find out if any setting have to be adjusted to allow charging via USB but the info on my device itself states clearly ("no further steps are neccessary to connect your Xperia with a PC, as this will be recognized automatically"

What is wrong? What can I do?

[Uliwooly · Accepted solution]

@notjv

Test a different cable. 

[o2jie]

I had this kind of problem a year ago with my Z. I was worried that it had broke because my laptop did not recognize my device hence it didn't charge nor i can open the storage. I tried searching and installing tools and drivers, tested connecting different cables but to no avail. I even tried different phones but they got through except my Z. But, as simple as it may sound, my brother installed Windows Media Player (as it was not yet installed by that time due to reformatting ), and viola - It worked. I know this is too simple of a problem but we have this problem in common. And i already assume that your computer drivers and programs are complete so i just you must be lacking from what i had lacked before. And if not, im sorry i have no insights.

[notjv]

Damnit! I was first going to be annoyed at uliwooly's advice, because of course I had tested another cable also. but I went ahead anyway and tried again with another cable and yes, it was just the cable(s). It is almost always the cable.

It does not have to be an originally sony cable (that would be annoying), but it DOES seem that very cheap cables do have a higher likelyhood to fail or be useless (Duh).

Sorry and thanks!

[Uliwooly]

@notjv

Anytime, I've noticed that, if you use a cheap USB cable sometimes it doesn't work.