In this guide, we will help you troubleshoot and fix the 'An Existing Connection Was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host' issue that occurs when you attempt to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to connect to a device or emulator. This error is typically caused by a misconfiguration or an issue in the ADB setup. We will cover various solutions to address this problem and provide a step-by-step guide for each solution.
Table of Contents
- Check ADB and Device Connection
- Update ADB and Android Studio
- Restart ADB Server
- Modify ADB Connection Timeout
- Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus
- FAQs
1. Check ADB and Device Connection
Before we dive into more complex solutions, let's ensure that your device and ADB connection are set up properly.
- Make sure that your device is connected to your computer via a USB cable.
- Enable USB debugging on your device. To do this, go to
Settings>Developer options> and toggle onUSB debugging. - Verify that your device is recognized by ADB. Open a command prompt or terminal and run the following command:
adb devices
If your device is listed, then proceed to the next solution. If not, try using a different USB cable or connecting to a different USB port.
2. Update ADB and Android Studio
Outdated ADB tools or Android Studio can cause connection issues. Make sure you are using the latest versions of both.
Update ADB tools:
Download the latest version of the Android SDK Platform Tools and replace the existing platform-tools directory in your Android SDK installation directory.
Update Android Studio:
Open Android Studio, click on Help (or Android Studio on macOS) > Check for Updates > and follow the prompts to update to the latest version.
3. Restart ADB Server
Restarting the ADB server can resolve connection issues. Follow these steps:
- Open a command prompt or terminal.
- Run the following command to stop the ADB server:
adb kill-server
- Run the following command to start the ADB server:
adb start-server
- Verify that your device is recognized by running
adb devices. If the issue persists, proceed to the next solution.
4. Modify ADB Connection Timeout
By default, ADB has a connection timeout of 5 seconds. If your device takes longer to respond, you may encounter the 'An Existing Connection Was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host' error. To resolve this, increase the ADB connection timeout:
- Open a command prompt or terminal.
- Run the following command to set the ADB connection timeout to a higher value (e.g., 15 seconds):
adb connect -t 15000 <device_IP_address>
- Verify that your device is recognized by running
adb devices. If the issue persists, proceed to the next solution.
5. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus
Firewall settings or antivirus software might block the ADB connection. Temporarily disable them to see if the issue is resolved.
- Disable your antivirus software.
- Disable the Windows Firewall by going to
Control Panel>System and Security>Windows Defender Firewall> and clicking onTurn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
After disabling both, try connecting to your device again using ADB. If the issue persists, re-enable your antivirus and firewall and proceed to explore other solutions.
FAQs
Q. What is ADB?
ADB, or Android Debug Bridge, is a command-line utility that allows developers to communicate with and control Android devices or emulators for debugging and testing purposes. Learn more about ADB in the official documentation.
Q. How do I install ADB on my computer?
You can install ADB by downloading the Android SDK Platform Tools and adding the platform-tools directory to your system's PATH variable. For detailed instructions, follow this installation guide.
Q. Can I use ADB over Wi-Fi?
Yes, you can use ADB over Wi-Fi by connecting your device and computer to the same network and running the adb tcpip and adb connect commands. For a detailed guide, follow these instructions.
Q. How do I enable Developer options on my Android device?
To enable Developer options, go to Settings > About phone > and tap the Build number 7 times. You should see a message that says "You are now a developer!" Go back to the main Settings menu, and you should see Developer options available.
Q. Can I use ADB to access a broken or unresponsive device?
Yes, ADB can be used to access and recover data from a broken or unresponsive device, provided that USB debugging is already enabled on the device. Connect the device to your computer and use ADB commands to access the device's storage and retrieve your data. For a detailed guide, follow these instructions.