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Phone Link Error Message

I have an intermittent problem with Phone Link whereby I get an error message "Unable to transfer files- an error occurred while transferring your file. Please try again" which is apparently coming from something called CrossDeviceFilesHost. However, I am not transferring files. I cannot find this service in either Task Manager or services, so I can't find a way to stop this message. I am not transferring files, so I don't know why Phone Link thinks I am. I have run SFC/scannow, I have tried to repair and reset the app, I have restarted my phone and my computer, and the error goes away, sometimes for days on end, but then it comes back. Copilot suggestions are worthless- it tells you to try things like uninstalling and reinstalling the app, which is not possible to do, and looking for things in settings which do not exist (I have repeatedly found errors in answers that Copilot gives me. It is an extremely poor AI- I constantly have to correct errors that it makes.) I have two computers, a Dell 8960 desktop and an MSI GS76 Stealth laptop, both running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 with all updates installed. When I use Phone Link, on one or the other, the error only occurs on the Dell, never when I am connected on the MSI.

Does anyone know how to make this error go away permanently?

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Hello，MartinWalker

Welcome to posting in the Microsoft Community.

Can very well understand your helplessness and annoyance in facing this intermittent issue, especially when you have tried multiple methods and still can't resolve it, but please don't worry let me provide you with some ideas.

According to your description, this issue may be related to a conflict in the application configuration file after a system update or an anomaly in a related service component. Although you have tried many things and another MSI laptop is working fine, the problematic Dell device may require a more basic fix. The following is a recommended Windows repair installation that will fix the system components without affecting your personal files or applications.

  1. Select the Download Now tool - run the media creation tool - select Yes - select Accept - select Create installation media for another computer - select DVD ISO file - Save as local.
    Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)

  2. Run the local WINDOWS. ISO file - right click - mount - select run setup.exe - select don't use it for now - select keep personal files and settings - select Next - wait for the installation of WINDOWS Repair to complete - restart the WINDOWS computer.

Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community 

By doing this, you can effectively resolve the Phone Link service issue that is troubling you and ensure that other potential system anomalies are corrected as well. Once this is done, it is recommended that you re-run the basic Phone Link setup and keep an eye out to see if the error recurs. If the problem persists, you can let me know by replying and we can try the network troubleshooting again.

If the issue is resolved, I'd really appreciate it if you could share your feedback, as this can be a very helpful resource for other users experiencing similar issues! If the issue is still not fully resolved, we can also continue to troubleshoot in depth.

Thank you for your patience and care, and we wish you a speedy and complete resolution!

Best Regards，

Rota|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Last updated March 10, 2025 Views 12 Applies to: