Charge Motorola RAZR with standard USB cable from PC


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I have been charging my RAZR with a standard mini USB cable hooked up to my laptop. This keeps me from toting around an extra charger to work where my RAZR will inevitable run out of juice before I leave that end of the day. All you need are the right drivers and a mini USB cable, which most people have from digital cameras or mp3 players. If not a trip to Radioshack or Kmart will get you a cable for less than $3.00. Meanwhile Motorola charges over $20 for their “special” cable. Simple instructions below.

1. Download the driver, unzip to a folder.
2. Plug in phone with mini USB cable too computer USB port.
3. Will auto detect and ask for drivers.
4. Point install to folder and let it do its thing.
5. Your phone will now charge with a cheap mini USB cable.

I am not really sure where these drivers originated they have been on my PC for a while, but I am sure they are free and open source. For all of those surprised that I use a RAZR, keep in mind, mine is heavily modded and until I can get a smart phone in a smaller flip factor it will be phone of choice for no other reason than its light weight and durability.

Ok now for the drivers…


RAZR V3 USB Driver

RAZR V3c USB Driver

RAZR V3m USB Driver

Read more posts by Christopher Carey

Comments

122 Responses to “Charge Motorola RAZR with standard USB cable from PC”

  1. mike on MyAvatars 0.2 March 15th, 2007 6:45 am

    hi, i just broke my charger for my lg vx 9900 ( Lg EnV ) and i was wondering if i can use this with the music essentials usb. i have the drivers for my phone, i plugged in the usb but it wont charge..i know that 90% this is’nt possible, but i was thinking if there is some kind of program or software that will detect it and make your phone charge from a usb cable..and verizon rips you off when it comes to buying accessories from them, but before i head down to their store, i was wondering if i were to get lucky, so please email be back: djaymystic@yahoo.com …thank you

  2. steve on MyAvatars 0.2 July 9th, 2007 11:52 pm

    Mad props bro…You just saved me $32 by not having to buy a new charger after leaving it in my hotel room. Verizon’s a bunch of scam artists. Thanks.

  3. Alex on MyAvatars 0.2 July 17th, 2007 2:08 pm

    Thanks, it works in 5 sec. (Motorola V3c).

    Alex V.

  4. John on MyAvatars 0.2 July 21st, 2007 2:45 pm

    I lost my charger and have been looking for a simple guide like this for a long time. Verizon was no help when I called them. Thank you so much! (V3m)

  5. Alex K on MyAvatars 0.2 July 23rd, 2007 4:42 am

    Thanks man! Works great! Always wished I could do this.

  6. Vika on MyAvatars 0.2 July 26th, 2007 9:35 pm

    Will this drive work with the MotoRIZR z3?

  7. steve on MyAvatars 0.2 July 28th, 2007 7:42 am

    thanks man i got my cell from a buddy and he has gave me the charger and i was look all over the place kuss my usb fit my cell and you shit worked thanks alot and for all of the other people to vist this site it REALLY WORKS THANKS MAN

  8. umar on MyAvatars 0.2 July 30th, 2007 6:40 am

    It works, it works, it works… :D

    Even for L6 ;)

  9. Anonymous on MyAvatars 0.2 August 9th, 2007 7:53 pm

    My computer warns me that this is not XP compatible. Can I ignore this message.

  10. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 August 9th, 2007 7:55 pm

    Yes it works perfectly on XP

  11. Frank on MyAvatars 0.2 August 10th, 2007 7:49 pm

    I have another trick for my Razr (Verizon)….

    Simply turn off the phone, and plug it into USB port in a MAC. Then it starts charging ….

    If the phone is ON, it will not be charged.

    No driver and software needed.

  12. Frank on MyAvatars 0.2 August 10th, 2007 7:50 pm

    Haven’t try on PC USB port. But it may also work…

  13. Jimmy G on MyAvatars 0.2 August 12th, 2007 1:54 am

    Fantastic, thanks. It worked immediately, and you just saved me having to purchase the Motorola software package.

    Thanks a million

  14. second e on MyAvatars 0.2 August 14th, 2007 3:10 am

    After visting quite a few sites for information on this I was amazed at how simple and easily you have made for us all.
    You rule.
    Many thanks.

    Power and Possibilities,
    Second e

  15. M on MyAvatars 0.2 August 18th, 2007 3:17 pm

    Doesn’t seem to work for V3i on Windows Vista… got any idea how to get it to work?

  16. Anabelle Tiedje on MyAvatars 0.2 August 26th, 2007 8:55 pm

    Where can I buy the usb cord?

  17. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 August 28th, 2007 2:41 pm
  18. Anabelle Tiedje on MyAvatars 0.2 August 28th, 2007 4:36 pm

    THANKS!!!

  19. Guy on MyAvatars 0.2 August 28th, 2007 6:42 pm

    When I first got my v3m it would charge when I plugged it into the computer with the USB cable but after I installed a memory card in the phone, all it seems to want to do is function as a flash drive when I plug it up to the computer. Any idea what this might be about? I have looked through the manual and it doesn’t seem to be any help.

    Thanks in advance if anyone can give me some pointers on this.

    On a side note . . . any idea how I can get in and delete some of the stupid factory images or ringtones? I’d also like to be able to e-mail images to my phone rather than have to load them via USB to the memory card and then move them from the card to the phone.

    Guy

  20. JimS on MyAvatars 0.2 August 29th, 2007 5:20 pm

    The USB charging is indeed nice and I use it every day at work. However, if you let your phone battery go dead (which happens to me from time to time) then you can’t recharge via the USB. So, if you travel you need to take your cell phone charger with you. Drat, I hate having to carry more of these things. Why couldn’t they just make it work?

  21. Steve on MyAvatars 0.2 August 31st, 2007 6:46 pm

    Your a fking star mate - thanks…!!!!!

  22. NYSHA on MyAvatars 0.2 September 10th, 2007 10:06 pm

    MY RAZR V3 WONT CHARGE BECAUSE SOME OF MY WIRES INSIDE THE CHARGE PORT ARE BENT.IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO OR IS IT A WRAP.

  23. DS on MyAvatars 0.2 September 11th, 2007 5:27 pm

    thanks

  24. Richard on MyAvatars 0.2 September 21st, 2007 3:36 am

    I have a usb cable and i have plug into my v3xx and it works without a driver. Where can I get a driver (free of course) so that i sync with my PC? Help help help.

  25. Tommy on MyAvatars 0.2 September 25th, 2007 7:53 pm

    Now if I could only get a download for the KRZR.

  26. Paul M on MyAvatars 0.2 September 28th, 2007 12:28 pm

    Nice mate, very nice - can’t be arsed paying for another copy of the phone tools, so this is handy for t’office and whatnot.

  27. Randy Harris on MyAvatars 0.2 October 2nd, 2007 8:40 pm

    Thanks much! Those USB drivers are now allowing me to charge my Razr on my work dell notebook.

    Groovy

  28. Nadia on MyAvatars 0.2 October 4th, 2007 3:31 am

    Just wanted to say.. Thank you!

    I’m happy.

  29. Analise on MyAvatars 0.2 October 7th, 2007 5:29 am

    If we use this USB cord, is there any way that this will let you put ringtones on your phone, or is it strickly just for charging?

    Thanks for any help!

  30. kord on MyAvatars 0.2 October 7th, 2007 7:49 pm

    i got a dead razr v3, i aint got a wall charger 4 it but i got a usb charger 4 it, but i put da cable in but it dont charge or nothin, i already got a razr driver. is there any way i can make it charge

  31. brenden on MyAvatars 0.2 October 10th, 2007 3:25 am

    help - i found a cord like that lying around, and i lost my charger, but i connected the cord into my phone, then into the computer .. nothing happens, my computer doesnt even know its connected, i have WinXP Pro

  32. eM on MyAvatars 0.2 October 31st, 2007 3:46 pm

    Thanks so much!

    I lost my charger and couldn’t charge my phone anymore… Yours is the fastest, simplest and cheapest way I found to solve the problem!

    Thank you so much!

  33. Mandy on MyAvatars 0.2 October 31st, 2007 8:10 pm

    Oh this was great. Phone always dies on me at work and have usb cables here but phone wouldnt charge til I found this forum and downloaded the drivers. Thanks alot. You rock!!

  34. csr on MyAvatars 0.2 November 1st, 2007 12:31 pm

    Thank you so much for this valuable info. Worked like a charm on my almost-dead V3r!

  35. Terri on MyAvatars 0.2 November 10th, 2007 3:44 am

    You saved my sanity! After dealing with a nightmare with AT&T, family shared plan and wirefly, i finally got my phone and the charger would not work. I was doing everything i could and after 7 hours it still would not turn on. I saw this post, pulled the usb cord from my dig camera and plugged it into the phone and finally the green charging light came on (which i did not know existed btw) and it confirmed that my charger did not work, and it wasnt the phone. THANK YOU!

  36. Skolden on MyAvatars 0.2 November 17th, 2007 10:38 pm

    Sweet! My friend left on a trip — with my charger. This method works GREAT. You saved my week

  37. Tony on MyAvatars 0.2 November 20th, 2007 3:51 pm

    Thanks man, you rock :D GREAT POST!!! Worked in a minute with my Motorola RAZR (V3c)!!! :D

  38. Jeff on MyAvatars 0.2 December 1st, 2007 8:58 am

    humm, isnt that reeeeaaallly obvious ? I mean its a mini-usb plug…. I just don’t know any device with USB that cannot charge on a computer?

    Nobody here ever had an iPOD?

  39. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 December 1st, 2007 3:27 pm

    Well, no actually it isn’t. You can’t charge a RAZR with a USB cable without the proper drivers. The phone will tell you that its a unauthorized charger and not charge. I provide the drivers. Good question though.

  40. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 December 1st, 2007 3:29 pm

    brenden, install the drivers that are appropriate for your phone and it will charge with no problem.

  41. Myles on MyAvatars 0.2 December 6th, 2007 7:19 pm

    My motorola v3 is totally dead, and i don’t have a wall charger. I downloaded the software and installed it, but it won’t charge. Is there anything else I can do. I have a blackberry charger, is there anyway i can use it

  42. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 December 6th, 2007 8:39 pm

    When the battery is completely dead sometimes it can take quite a while to come back to life. Make sure the USB is directly connected to your PC for the best performance to charge. These drivers don’t put out the milliamps like the regular charger does, so it will need some time to do its work.

  43. Craig on MyAvatars 0.2 January 7th, 2008 5:22 am

    You are the BEST!! Now, if you can only fix my water softener…

  44. Dan on MyAvatars 0.2 January 7th, 2008 9:51 pm

    Thanks a big one. Now when I forget my charger at home I can charge at work. Well done.

  45. wiseassoffice on MyAvatars 0.2 January 7th, 2008 10:07 pm

    hmm Craig I will get right on that water softener, lol. I am glad this information was able to help others.

    Dan, When I had my RAZR it seemed the battery would never go the distance, so it would stay at work on my USB charger ready for use after I left at the end of the day. When it came time to hand down my phone I did end up replacing the battery which seemed to improve things quite a bit. I was surprised that for $5 on ebay a new battery would make that much of a difference but it did.

    Since I got the Treo I have hardly looked back and don’t require a charger all day to keep a phone around. The Treo (now almost a year old) can still do an entire day and a half in standby mode.

    However it was still a great phone with great speaker quality and reception.

  46. Stephen Coupe on MyAvatars 0.2 January 8th, 2008 12:32 pm

    Just like to say thanks works a treat

  47. Bill on MyAvatars 0.2 January 9th, 2008 2:31 pm

    I have a RAZR V3 (1 month old), and with the software version that was originally on the phone, I was able to charge the phone through the USB port on my MAC PowerBook G4 laptop.

    I recently had the local Verizon store install a software upgrade (to software version 24.1_01.19.07), which now allows me to add music, and exchange some pictures via Bluetooth.

    However, now the phone won’t charge using the USB cord from the MAC. With the phone on, the battery strength indicator jumps to full, but once disconnected it goes back to where ever it was. With the phone off, you get the message “unable to charge” on the screen.

    Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
    Bill

  48. Fahad on MyAvatars 0.2 January 11th, 2008 6:32 am

    Thanks a lot man. I was looking for this.

  49. hp on MyAvatars 0.2 January 13th, 2008 5:39 pm

    hey just a quick question…i got a motorloa L6i, i downloaded the above driver folder however my phone still isnt charging. I got vista and it keeps popping up saying that the dirver could not be found. Do i have to place the driver folder in any specific location? I read above that you have to wait awhile if your battery was completely dead…so I\’ll do that anad see what happens…but just wanted to see if i was doing everything right…im in the west indies right now travelling and im stuck! lol cant find a charger and this is my last resort!

  50. Anonymous on MyAvatars 0.2 January 19th, 2008 4:35 pm

    help my phone is completly dead and it wont sync with my computer and i don\’t have a charger…. can i charge it through my computer without it being switched on?

  51. rheignier on MyAvatars 0.2 January 26th, 2008 8:41 am

    hmm i havea problem.. i lost my cd.. the question is how can i charge my motorola krzr k1….

  52. Kcired on MyAvatars 0.2 January 29th, 2008 7:29 pm

    Thanks for this great tip dude or dudette!

  53. bontakun on MyAvatars 0.2 January 30th, 2008 2:58 am

    Thanks for the driver files. My V3c now charges on my PC.

  54. uflouie on MyAvatars 0.2 February 6th, 2008 4:49 am

    DUDE YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!

  55. ecomamma on MyAvatars 0.2 February 13th, 2008 3:19 pm

    Thank you SO much! I use my phone constantly while I am already in front of my laptop, so this is perfect for me! :)

  56. dubman on MyAvatars 0.2 February 14th, 2008 3:37 pm

    Very nice - I just lost my charger yesterday (battery nearly dead) and found this this morning. Drivers installed perfectly and it immediately started charging. Thanks so much!

  57. Noeline on MyAvatars 0.2 February 15th, 2008 7:24 am

    thanks a lot from the colonies - just bought a Razr v9 2 weeks ago and it had a faulty charger - 2 week wait to get replacement! this has helped enormously much appreciated

  58. raj on MyAvatars 0.2 February 15th, 2008 6:33 pm

    Thanks Man… This is great. I have a question I got a USB car charger. But when I tried My Moto RAZR v3 is not getting charged. But when I connect it to computer its working fine. So I guess these drivers are for PC only. Do you have any idea how to get my phone charged from a car USB charger.

    Any way thanks for your help man it saved a lot….

    Raj

  59. Ken Hanscom on MyAvatars 0.2 February 16th, 2008 6:50 pm

    You can get the best information on USB drivers, transferring pictures, software and useful guides at: http://www.somelifeblog.com/2007/01/motorola-razr-v3-how-to-charge-and.html

  60. Jennifer on MyAvatars 0.2 February 20th, 2008 12:10 am

    Thanks, I have been looking for a post like this. It solved my charger problem. It always gives me trouble.

    Jennifer
    my site:
    free razr

  61. lil monster on MyAvatars 0.2 February 20th, 2008 8:32 pm

    dude….when i plug my rzr up to my computer via usb cord, it says that i need software to use it….is that true? i got it from a friend so if thats true then it sucks.

  62. Avonlea on MyAvatars 0.2 February 22nd, 2008 1:15 am

    I usually have terrible luck with stuff like this - for some reason, nothing ever wants to work.

    But THANK YOU! That was easy. :) After it connected, it directed me to the Motorola website to download the drivers. Thanks! :)

  63. David on MyAvatars 0.2 February 23rd, 2008 7:34 am

    Thanks for the tip. Worked great.

  64. meg on MyAvatars 0.2 February 25th, 2008 7:52 pm

    I found a retractable usb at Deal’s for $1.00. It works great

  65. justino on MyAvatars 0.2 March 2nd, 2008 11:02 pm

    fan effin tastic man!!

  66. seo.contest.2008 on MyAvatars 0.2 March 3rd, 2008 2:08 am

    nice one here… thanks..

  67. mikem2136 on MyAvatars 0.2 March 8th, 2008 5:38 pm

    Here’s the link to download the driver for the MOTOKRZR Km1 as well!!!!!!!!!!!!

    http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/nss/driversNplugins.asp

    On the right side of the page there should be an icon titled “USB Driver”
    Click on the “32 bit connection CLICK HERE” and then extract the .zip file after the download is complete. Then click the installer package and you should be good to go!
    It takes about a minute for your computer to recognize your phone after you plug it into the USB port, but be patient….. it WILL work!! :)

  68. brandon on MyAvatars 0.2 March 9th, 2008 4:14 am

    i have a wierd problem with my razr. im supposing the batteries are dead. i ordered this thing from ebay, and it came with 2 batteries. it was supposed to be unlocked, however when i used the sim chip out of a NET10 phone, the razr came up as cingular!! anyway, the problem i need help with is the razr is completely dead, and it will not charge via usb. i am using motorola phone tools, and it works on my v323i. the razr worked fine a few months ago, and has been sitting here in my rom ever since, but now it just doesnt work. i treid sawitching batteries, and niether of them seem to work. i remebr having to \

  69. brandon on MyAvatars 0.2 March 9th, 2008 4:14 am

    i have a wierd problem with my razr. im supposing the batteries are dead. i ordered this thing from ebay, and it came with 2 batteries. it was supposed to be unlocked, however when i used the sim chip out of a NET10 phone, the razr came up as cingular!! anyway, the problem i need help with is the razr is completely dead, and it will not charge via usb. i am using motorola phone tools, and it works on my v323i. the razr worked fine a few months ago, and has been sitting here in my rom ever since, but now it just doesnt work. i treid sawitching batteries, and niether of them seem to work. i remebr having to “adjust” the batteries, like pressing down on the back on certain spots, and it would owrk, but now niether of them work, and when i plug it in to the usb, nothing still. even let it on for 30 mins, still nothing. this is strange, and i dot undertand why even a dead battery would prevent it from having usb power. please help…

  70. Jose on MyAvatars 0.2 March 18th, 2008 3:52 pm

    The V3 driver allowed me to charge my V3r from my Laptop with XP.
    Thanks!

  71. Sjockiea on MyAvatars 0.2 March 19th, 2008 4:00 pm

    Thank you sooo much I new that my MP3 player did it so I figured it had to be a way …..THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

  72. Anonymous on MyAvatars 0.2 March 21st, 2008 5:27 am

    Sweet It works for V3r

  73. Aaron R on MyAvatars 0.2 March 21st, 2008 6:02 am

    the post above this one is mine

  74. Rhonda on MyAvatars 0.2 March 30th, 2008 9:57 pm

    Great post - you saved me from spending $40.00 at the Verizon store. My daughter’s Razr stopped charging for whatever reason. So I gave her my old Samsung phone. As luck would have it - that phone just died, none of the keys work except the power button. I figured there had to be a way that I can test to see if I indeed had to buy a new battery or worse another phone. This worked like a charm. Thanks again.

  75. :) on MyAvatars 0.2 April 13th, 2008 12:49 am

    thanks so much! i’m at school right now and i accidentally left my charger at home. I’m not that willing to drive an hour back to just get my charger. this saved me time and gas money. Thanks!

  76. Brian on MyAvatars 0.2 April 14th, 2008 2:36 pm

    “Charge Motorola RAZR with standard USB cable from PC”

    Thank You!!

    After being frustrated by the constant “unable to charge” message this solution worked.
    I installed the V3c usb driver on my PC with my phone connected and it immediately responded by charging.

    Great Job! Thanks again.

  77. Mish on MyAvatars 0.2 April 18th, 2008 3:56 pm

    Wowwwww. You’re a genius HAHAHA. I can’t believe this actually worked. It took me about 10 unzips before anything was detected but then, VIOLA. Randomly my phone started charging. I think this is a miracle………….

    THANK YOU!!!

  78. Orion on MyAvatars 0.2 April 20th, 2008 12:01 am

    RAZR V3r - Girlfriend lost her AC charger and took mine with her on vacation. Hmmm… only had a limited time left till my phone would die. So, I had on hand a USB to mini plug cord from an old camera, that got me thinking. A little Google search that go me to your posting, and the rest was sooo easy. Nirvana is your destiny!

  79. Maher Live on MyAvatars 0.2 April 21st, 2008 1:15 pm

    it charge very slow for my Motorola Z3 !! may be it take >6 hours to fully charge the battery! I dont have a wall charger now please help me to make it charge faster with my PC

  80. Maher Live on MyAvatars 0.2 April 21st, 2008 1:17 pm

    it charge very slow for my Motorola Z3 !! may be it take >6 hours to fully charge the battery! I dont have a wall charger now please help me to make it charge faster with my PC
    please help

  81. Orion on MyAvatars 0.2 April 21st, 2008 6:20 pm

    Further to my earlier post, I have also discovered that my ASUS Eee PC with Linux O/S accepts and charges my V3c phone simply by plugging it straight in with the USB cord, without the extra step of installing any drivers. Neat!!

  82. Maher Live on MyAvatars 0.2 April 23rd, 2008 9:00 pm

    if you have USB printing option select it and you can charge it any were no need a driver ;)

  83. trinity on MyAvatars 0.2 May 13th, 2008 2:22 am

    my brother found a krzr k1 not k1m and it whent completely dead and I need drivers for it so I can charge it with my pc anyone got any idea where I can get some?

  84. trinity on MyAvatars 0.2 May 13th, 2008 2:26 am

    to the previous one I tried other drivers that I have found online but nothing seems to work.

  85. steven on MyAvatars 0.2 May 24th, 2008 8:55 am

    awesome. even worked with vista. many thanks.

  86. Doug on MyAvatars 0.2 May 29th, 2008 2:39 am

    I just upgraged to a Motorola W755 from Verizon. Anyone know if there is a driver available to charge via usb? Also if it is possible to charge with a car adapter using usb?

  87. lavaniya on MyAvatars 0.2 May 30th, 2008 5:16 am

    whatever you do for a living, they should pay you more! you saved my life (line!) I can\’t thank you enough!!!

  88. lavaniya on MyAvatars 0.2 May 30th, 2008 5:18 am

    after i first installed the driver, it didn’t seem like it was doing anything, the phone didn’t beep, and i thought it was completely dead, but about ten minutes later when i tried again to turn it on, it started charging. this is a charm!

  89. trinity on MyAvatars 0.2 May 30th, 2008 5:19 am

    hello? does anyone know where to get usb drivers for the krzr k1. I’m sure others wouldn’t mind the info!!

  90. Vern on MyAvatars 0.2 May 30th, 2008 7:34 pm

    Dude - You Rock!!! I left my charger at home and my phone died while on the road. Searched the Internet and found your page. Had a mini USB cable from my WD Mini external hardrive in my computer bag. Downloaded the drivers from your page and followed your instructions. Presto….It works like magic. Thanks again……

  91. Taufiq on MyAvatars 0.2 June 1st, 2008 10:58 am

    OR
    Download for free from Motorola
    Look for USB charging drivers
    http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/nss/driversNplugins.asp#

  92. arly on MyAvatars 0.2 June 1st, 2008 12:12 pm

    you’re a total lifesaver. thanks!

  93. Anonymous on