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.
Symptoms: When trying to send files, the sending device cannot detect the receiving device, or vice versa.
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.
Enable location services
On Android devices, location services must be enabled for Wi-Fi Direct to work properly:
Check permissions
Ensure Xender has all necessary permissions:
Restart Xender
Close and reopen the Xender app on both devices.
Toggle airplane mode
Turn airplane mode on for a few seconds, then turn it off again on both devices. This can reset network connections.
Reduce distance
Move the devices closer together (within 1-2 meters) to improve signal strength.
Restart devices
If all else fails, restart both devices and try again.
Symptoms: Devices connect initially but disconnect during file transfer.
Keep devices close
Maintain a distance of 1-2 meters between devices during transfer.
Disable battery optimization
Battery saving features can interrupt Xender's connection:
Keep screens on
Prevent devices from going into sleep mode during transfers:
Remove interference
Move away from other electronic devices that might cause Wi-Fi interference, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, or Bluetooth devices.
Update Xender
Make sure you're using the latest version of Xender on both devices.
Symptoms: Unable to connect phone to PC using Xender Web.
Check same network
Ensure both your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Try a different browser
Some browsers may have compatibility issues with Xender Web. Try using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Disable VPN
If you're using a VPN on either device, temporarily disable it.
Check firewall settings
Your computer's firewall might be blocking the connection. Temporarily disable it or add an exception for Xender.
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).
Use QR code
If available, use the QR code scanning method instead of manually entering the URL.
Symptoms: File transfers take much longer than expected.
Check device proximity
Keep devices within 1-2 meters of each other for optimal speed.
Remove phone cases
Thick or metal phone cases can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Try removing them during transfers.
Close background apps
Close unnecessary apps running in the background on both devices to free up system resources.
Check for interference
Move away from sources of Wi-Fi interference like microwave ovens or other wireless devices.
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.
Check device capabilities
Older devices may have slower Wi-Fi hardware that limits transfer speeds.
Symptoms: File transfer starts but fails to complete.
Check storage space
Ensure the receiving device has enough free storage space for the incoming files.
Transfer in smaller batches
If transferring many files at once, try sending them in smaller batches.
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.
Avoid device timeout
Keep both screens on during transfer to prevent devices from going into sleep mode.
Check for corrupted files
If a specific file consistently fails to transfer, it might be corrupted. Try transferring other files to test.
Symptoms: Files were transferred successfully but can't be found on the receiving device.
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.
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.
Search by file name
Use your device's search function to search for the specific file name.
Check media apps
For media files like photos and videos, check if they appear in your gallery app or media library.
Check SD card
If your device has an SD card, check if files were saved there instead of internal storage.
Restart device
Sometimes media scanning needs to be triggered by restarting the device.
Symptoms: Xender app closes unexpectedly or freezes.
Force stop and restart
Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Force Stop, then reopen the app.
Clear cache
Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Storage > Clear Cache.
Update Xender
Make sure you're using the latest version of Xender from the app store or our download page.
Check system updates
Ensure your device's operating system is up to date.
Free up storage space
Low storage can cause app crashes. Delete unnecessary files to free up space.
Reinstall Xender
Uninstall Xender completely, then download and install it again.
Symptoms: Unable to install APK files received through Xender.
Enable unknown sources
For Android 8.0 and above:
For Android 7.0 and below:
Check APK integrity
The APK file might be corrupted. Try transferring it again or downloading it from a different source.
Check compatibility
Make sure the app is compatible with your device's operating system version.
Check storage space
Ensure you have enough free storage space to install the app.
Use file manager
Try opening the APK file using your device's file manager instead of directly from Xender.
Symptoms: Battery drains quickly when using Xender.
Close Xender after use
Make sure to completely close Xender when not in use. Don't leave it running in the background.
Check for updates
Older versions might have battery optimization issues. Update to the latest version.
Clear cache
Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Storage > Clear Cache.
Limit background activity
Go to Settings > Apps > Xender > Battery > Restrict background activity.
Check for conflicts
Some security apps or cleaners might conflict with Xender, causing it to use more resources.
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.
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.
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).
If you're experiencing persistent issues, resetting Xender to its default settings can often help:
If the standard connection methods aren't working, try these alternatives:
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.
If you've tried all other troubleshooting steps without success, reinstalling Xender might be necessary:
If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps in this guide and are still experiencing problems with Xender, you may need additional support:
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.