How to Fix Windows Photos Import Freezing on Thousands of Pictures
Windows Photos import freezing on thousands of pictures usually results from a large transfer queue, unstable USB connection, unsupported image formats, or damaged files. Restart the connection, switch to smaller batches, use File Explorer instead of Photos, and test a different cable or USB port when transfer photos phone to PC is not working.
Steps
- Restart both devices and reconnect the phone. Unlock the Android phone, select File Transfer or MTP from the USB notification, and keep the screen active during import.
- Import smaller batches. Select 100–500 photos at a time instead of importing an entire camera folder. Separate recent photos, videos, screenshots, and messaging-app media.
- Use File Explorer as an alternative. Open This PC > Android phone > Internal storage > DCIM > Camera, then copy folders to a local computer folder. File Explorer often works when Windows Photos import freezing continues.
- Change the USB connection. Use a different data-capable cable and connect directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub. Test another USB port, preferably a rear motherboard port on a desktop.
- Repair the Photos app. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Photos > Advanced options, then select Repair. Use Reset only when repair does not resolve the import failure.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Import stops at the same file: The image or video may be corrupted. Copy files before and after the suspected file separately, then skip the damaged item.
- Phone appears but folders remain empty: The phone may be locked or using charging-only mode. Unlock the device and select File Transfer/MTP again.
- Photos app freezes during HEIC or large video imports: Unsupported codecs or oversized files may interrupt processing. Copy files with File Explorer and install required media extensions only when necessary.
- Transfer works briefly, then disconnects: A faulty cable, loose port, USB power setting, or battery-saving mode may cause interruptions. Keep the phone charged and disable USB-related power saving temporarily.
- Thousands of files create duplicate imports: Existing import history or repeated folder selection may cause duplication. Create a dated destination folder and copy only new files.
Quick Tips
- Keep at least twice the expected transfer size available on the computer.
- Avoid transferring while the phone is backing up photos, updating apps, or syncing cloud media.
- Copy camera photos from DCIM/Camera first; social-media folders can contain thumbnails and duplicates.
- Do not delete phone files until transferred files open correctly from the computer.
Related Questions
Why is transfer photos phone to PC not working?
Common causes include a charging-only USB mode, locked phone, damaged cable, missing permissions, or an overloaded import queue. Switching to MTP and copying smaller folders through File Explorer often restores the transfer.
Can Windows Photos import thousands of pictures at once?
Large imports may work, but smaller batches are more reliable. File Explorer provides better control when Windows Photos import freezing occurs.
💡Protip:
For repeated phone transfers, a dedicated transfer tool such as MobileTrans can provide an alternative workflow for moving photos in organized batches.
