How to Fix ADB_Vendor_Keys Not Set Error

Android fans or developers often prefer to use ADB and Fastboot (platform tools) to execute specific commands on their Android devices via a computer. It’ll require you to manually allow USB debugging permission on the handset to get detected by the computer whenever connected. However, some users are facing the “ADB_Vendor_Keys” Not Set Error while trying to connect to USB Debugging.

Are you also one of them to go through this specific error as ADB_VENDOR_KEY all of a sudden? Then don’t worry because it’s a common issue among Android devices and can be easily resolved by tweaking some workarounds. The chances are high that the ADB Vendor Keys error is appearing on your Android device for several potential reasons.

Such as corrupt or missing files, inaccessible files on the device, and more. So, you’ll get a particular ADB_VENDOR_KEYS error in the Command Prompt windows, terminal, or even Windows Powershell window. Here in this full-depth guide, you’ll provide methods to fix the ADB_VENDOR_KEYS Not Set Error. So, let’s begin.

What are ADB Vendor Keys?

If we take a quick look at the ADB Vendor Keys, it basically manages a connection between a computer and an Android device. If in case, an ADB server is running on your PC and you’re trying to connect your Android phone to it via the USB Debugging Mode, then you might encounter such errors due to unsuccessful access.

So, whenever you’re asked to allow USB Debugging access on the handset connected to the PC, it prompts the system RSA key print to allow the access or even deny it. Once you allow access on your Android smartphone, it can be accessed with ADB and Fastboot tools (platform tools) from the authorized/trusted PC.

This will expire when the current session ends and will be allowed once again in the future. However, you can set the ‘always allow’ option to automate the prompt for future reference. Once you enable the access, ADB and Fastboot tools will also save the ADB_VENDOR_KEYS to the particular PC.

What is the Reason for ADB_Vendor_Keys Not Set Error?

As you’re now aware of some of the brief details about ADB vendor Keys for an Android device, you might be eager to know what can be a reason to experience such an error quite often. Well, it’s worth mentioning that there are a couple of possible reasons or security measures that may come into place.

You’ll be able to manually bypass the ADB and Fastboot tools in that scenario to perform any task on your handset via the computer. These security measures can help keep your device and user data safe from exploitation. If one of these aspects doesn’t come into the roleplay, then you’ll go through some issues with performing ADB or Fastboot commands with the device.

The ADB Vendor Keys error is one of the primary and common issues that you should try fixing manually by following this troubleshooting guide. If in case, the file is missing, corrupted, or inaccessible in several ways, you’ll have the ADB_VENDOR_KEYS error in the Command Prompt window, terminal, or Windows PowerShell window.

The vendor keys file should be generated whenever you grant USB Debugging Mode via the prompt on the handset. Unfortunately, the prompt sometimes doesn’t trigger or the key files become inaccessible.

How to Fix ADB_VENDOR_KEYS Is Not Set Error

After elaborating on several aspects and reasons for the ADB Vendor Keys error, you should go through all the steps correctly. So, let’s get started.

1. Use SDK Platform Tools

• First, you’ll have to use the official ADB Binaries from Google itself.
• Now, make sure to download Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
• Then extract Android SDK Platform Tools on the PC.
• Connect your Android device to the PC via a USB cable.
• Make sure USB Debugging is enabled. To do that:
  • Open the Settings app on your phone.
  • Go to the About Phone section.
  • Tap on Build Number 7 times continuously to get a successful message that says ‘You are now a developer’. It means you’ve enabled Developer Mode on your device.
  • Now, go back to the Settings menu again, and tap on Developer Options.
  • Make sure to Turn On the Developer Options toggle at the top.
  • Then Turn On the USB Debugging toggle. If prompted, select Allow USB Debugging, and tap on OK.

• Next, navigate to the Android SDK Platform-Tools folder.
• Type CMD in the address bar of Windows Explorer and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
• Then it’ll launch the CMD window. If asked, click on Yes to allow admin access.
• Finally, you can try checking whether the specific ADB VENDOR KEYS Not Set error is troubling you or not.

2. ADB Vendor Keys Error in ADB Sideload

If you’re getting an unauthorized error with the Android device while booting the handset to recovery mode, you’ll need to sideload ADB to easily fix ADB Vendor Keys Not Set Error. To do so, you’ll need to verify the device connectivity to the PC via a USB cable and try executing the command below.

adb devices

Once you type this command and hit Enter, you’ll be able to see a specific device ID on the computer screen (in the command prompt window) to ensure your device is properly connected in the adb fastboot mode. Now, you’re good to go.

Otherwise, you should disconnect the USB cable from the handset, and retry the process again. Sometimes the unrecognized connection or a loose connection to the port might also trigger such errors in the ADB Fastboot mode.

3. Restart ADB Server

Another thing you should do is reboot the ADB server by following the steps below to refresh the connectivity issues in most cases. To do so:

• Go to the ADB Fastboot Platform Tools folder on the PC.
• Now, type CMD in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
• Then you’ll need to allow the admin access (if prompted).
• Once the command prompt window is launched, copy-paste the following command and hit Enter to execute killing the adb server.

adb kill-server

• Next, you’ll have to copy-paste the following command and hit Enter to execute restarting the ADB server manually.

adb start-server

• After that, you must check for the ADB VENDOR KEYS Not Set error again.

4. Revoke USB Debugging

The vendor keys error might also trigger due to the USB debugging authorization issue between the PC and Android device. So, it would help if you tried revoking the authorization access and then reinstate the authorizations from scratch to ensure vendor keys are working fine. To do that:

• Navigate to the Settings menu on your Android device.
• Tap on About Phone and tap on Build Number 7 times.
• It’ll enable the Developer Options to feature on your handset.
• Next, go back to the Settings menu again.
• Tap on System and tap on Developer Options to open it.
• Then tap on Revoke USB Debugging Authorizations and tap on OK to confirm it.
• Once done, make sure to connect your Android device to the PC via a USB cable.
• Now, go to the ADB Fastboot Platform Tools folder on the PC.
• Type CMD in the address bar of Windows Explorer and hit Enter to open a command prompt.
• Then copy-paste the following command into the CMD window and hit Enter to execute it.

adb devices

• Finally, you’ll get a confirmation prompt on your Android handset and tap Allow/Authorize.

You’re done. Enjoy! You can now run your specific commands without any vendor errors. If you’ve any questions, do let us know in the comments.

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