Xender Troubleshooting Guide

8 min read Last updated: April 5, 2025

While Xender is designed to be simple and reliable, users occasionally encounter issues that can disrupt the file transfer experience. This comprehensive troubleshooting guide addresses the most common Xender problems and provides step-by-step solutions to get your file transfers working smoothly again.

Connection Problems

Devices Can't Find Each Other

Symptoms: When trying to send files, the sending device cannot detect the receiving device, or vice versa.

Solution:

  1. Check Wi-Fi settings

    Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices, even if you're not connected to a Wi-Fi network. Xender uses Wi-Fi Direct technology to create a connection.

  2. Enable location services

    On Android devices, location services must be enabled for Wi-Fi Direct to work properly:

    • Go to Settings > Location
    • Toggle location services to "On"
  3. Check permissions

    Ensure Xender has all necessary permissions:

    • Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Permissions
    • Enable all requested permissions, especially Storage and Location
  4. Restart Xender

    Close and reopen the Xender app on both devices.

  5. Toggle airplane mode

    Turn airplane mode on for a few seconds, then turn it off again on both devices. This can reset network connections.

  6. Reduce distance

    Move the devices closer together (within 1-2 meters) to improve signal strength.

  7. Restart devices

    If all else fails, restart both devices and try again.

Connection Keeps Dropping

Symptoms: Devices connect initially but disconnect during file transfer.

Solution:

  1. Keep devices close

    Maintain a distance of 1-2 meters between devices during transfer.

  2. Disable battery optimization

    Battery saving features can interrupt Xender's connection:

    • Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization or Power Saving
    • Find Xender in the list and select "Don't optimize" or exclude it from power saving
  3. Keep screens on

    Prevent devices from going into sleep mode during transfers:

    • Go to Settings > Display > Screen timeout
    • Set a longer timeout period or "Never" during transfers
  4. Remove interference

    Move away from other electronic devices that might cause Wi-Fi interference, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices.

  5. Update Xender

    Make sure you're using the latest version of Xender on both devices.

Can't Connect to Xender Web

Symptoms: Unable to connect phone to PC using Xender Web.

Solution:

  1. Check same network

    Ensure both your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  2. Try a different browser

    Some browsers may have compatibility issues with Xender Web. Try using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

  3. Disable VPN

    If you're using a VPN on either device, temporarily disable it.

  4. Check firewall settings

    Your computer's firewall might be blocking the connection. Temporarily disable it or add an exception for Xender.

  5. Type URL correctly

    Make sure you're entering the exact web address shown on your phone, including the port number (e.g., http://192.168.1.100:8888).

  6. Use QR code

    If available, use the QR code scanning method instead of manually entering the URL.

Transfer Issues

Extremely Slow Transfer Speeds

Symptoms: File transfers take much longer than expected.

Solution:

  1. Check device proximity

    Keep devices within 1-2 meters of each other for optimal speed.

  2. Remove phone cases

    Thick or metal phone cases can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Try removing them during transfers.

  3. Close background apps

    Close unnecessary apps running in the background on both devices to free up system resources.

  4. Check for interference

    Move away from sources of Wi-Fi interference like microwave ovens or other wireless devices.

  5. Consider file types

    Transferring many small files is slower than transferring a few large files of the same total size. Consider compressing multiple small files into a single ZIP file.

  6. Check device capabilities

    Older devices may have slower Wi-Fi hardware that limits transfer speeds.

Transfer Fails Mid-Process

Symptoms: File transfer starts but fails to complete.

Solution:

  1. Check storage space

    Ensure the receiving device has enough free storage space for the incoming files.

  2. Transfer in smaller batches

    If transferring many files at once, try sending them in smaller batches.

  3. Check file permissions

    Some files may be locked or in use by other apps. Close any apps that might be using the files you're trying to transfer.

  4. Avoid device timeout

    Keep both screens on during transfer to prevent devices from going into sleep mode.

  5. Check for corrupted files

    If a specific file consistently fails to transfer, it might be corrupted. Try transferring other files to test.

Can't Find Transferred Files

Symptoms: Files were transferred successfully but can't be found on the receiving device.

Solution:

  1. Check Xender folder

    By default, Xender saves files to a folder named "Xender" in your device's internal storage. Look for this folder using your device's file manager.

  2. Check download path settings

    In Xender, go to Settings and check the "Download Path" or "Save Location" setting to see where files are being saved.

  3. Search by file name

    Use your device's search function to search for the specific file name.

  4. Check media apps

    For media files like photos and videos, check if they appear in your gallery app or media library.

  5. Check SD card

    If your device has an SD card, check if files were saved there instead of internal storage.

  6. Restart device

    Sometimes media scanning needs to be triggered by restarting the device.

App Issues

Xender Keeps Crashing

Symptoms: Xender app closes unexpectedly or freezes.

Solution:

  1. Force stop and restart

    Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Force Stop, then reopen the app.

  2. Clear cache

    Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Storage > Clear Cache.

  3. Update Xender

    Make sure you're using the latest version of Xender from the app store or our download page.

  4. Check system updates

    Ensure your device's operating system is up to date.

  5. Free up storage space

    Low storage can cause app crashes. Delete unnecessary files to free up space.

  6. Reinstall Xender

    Uninstall Xender completely, then download and install it again.

Can't Install APK Files

Symptoms: Unable to install APK files received through Xender.

Solution:

  1. Enable unknown sources

    For Android 8.0 and above:

    • Go to Settings > Apps > Special access > Install unknown apps
    • Select Xender or your file manager
    • Toggle "Allow from this source" to On

    For Android 7.0 and below:

    • Go to Settings > Security
    • Enable "Unknown sources"
  2. Check APK integrity

    The APK file might be corrupted. Try transferring it again or downloading it from a different source.

  3. Check compatibility

    Make sure the app is compatible with your device's operating system version.

  4. Check storage space

    Ensure you have enough free storage space to install the app.

  5. Use file manager

    Try opening the APK file using your device's file manager instead of directly from Xender.

Excessive Battery Drain

Symptoms: Battery drains quickly when using Xender.

Solution:

  1. Close Xender after use

    Make sure to completely close Xender when not in use. Don't leave it running in the background.

  2. Check for updates

    Older versions might have battery optimization issues. Update to the latest version.

  3. Clear cache

    Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Storage > Clear Cache.

  4. Limit background activity

    Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Battery > Restrict background activity.

  5. Check for conflicts

    Some security apps or cleaners might conflict with Xender, causing it to use more resources.

Platform-Specific Issues

iOS-Specific Issues

Common iOS Problems and Solutions:

  • Can't receive certain file types

    Due to iOS restrictions, some file types have limited support. For unsupported files, try using Xender Web to transfer files to a computer first.

  • Photos not showing in gallery

    Go to Settings > Xender > Photos and enable "All Photos" access.

  • Connection issues with Android

    Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Try having the iOS device create the connection rather than the Android device.

  • App permissions

    Go to Settings > Xender and ensure all permissions are enabled, especially Photos, Camera, and Local Network.

Android-Specific Issues

Common Android Problems and Solutions:

  • Permission issues on Android 10+

    Newer Android versions have stricter permission controls. Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Permissions and grant all requested permissions, including "Files and media" with "Allow management of all files" option.

  • Hotspot turns off automatically

    Some Android devices have aggressive power saving that turns off hotspots. Disable battery optimization for Xender and keep the screen on during transfers.

  • MIUI/EMUI/ColorOS specific issues

    Chinese Android variants often have additional permission settings. Check "Autostart" permissions and ensure Xender is allowed to run in the background.

  • SD card access issues

    For devices with SD cards, you may need to grant additional storage permissions. Go to Settings > Storage > SD Card > Menu > Storage settings > Format as internal.

PC/Mac-Specific Issues

Common Computer Problems and Solutions:

  • Browser compatibility

    Xender Web works best with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. If you're having issues, try a different browser.

  • Download folder issues

    If you can't find downloaded files, check your browser's default download location.

  • Connection timeout

    If the Xender Web interface times out, refresh the page and reconnect. Make sure your computer's Wi-Fi is enabled.

  • Firewall blocking

    Your computer's firewall might be blocking the connection. Add an exception for the port Xender is using (typically shown in the URL).

Advanced Troubleshooting

Reset Xender to Default Settings

If you're experiencing persistent issues, resetting Xender to its default settings can often help:

Steps to Reset Xender:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Storage
  2. Tap "Clear Data" (this will remove all Xender settings but won't affect your transferred files)
  3. Restart your device
  4. Open Xender and set up your preferences again

Alternative Connection Methods

If the standard connection methods aren't working, try these alternatives:

Alternative Methods:

  • QR code connection

    Instead of device discovery, use the QR code scanning feature to connect devices.

  • Hotspot method

    Create a hotspot with one device and connect the other device to it before using Xender.

  • Connect via existing Wi-Fi

    Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network before using Xender.

  • Use Xender Web as alternative

    If device-to-device transfer isn't working, try using Xender Web to transfer files via a computer.

When to Reinstall Xender

If you've tried all other troubleshooting steps without success, reinstalling Xender might be necessary:

Reinstallation Steps:

  1. Back up any important files in your Xender folder
  2. Uninstall Xender from your device
  3. Restart your device
  4. Download the latest version of Xender from our download page or your app store
  5. Install and set up Xender again

Still Having Issues?

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps in this guide and are still experiencing problems with Xender, you may need additional support:

  • Check our FAQ page for more information
  • Visit our Contact page to get in touch with our support team
  • Consider trying an alternative file transfer app if Xender continues to have issues with your specific devices

Remember that most Xender issues can be resolved by ensuring both devices have the correct permissions enabled, are in close proximity to each other, and are running the latest version of the app.

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