Is it just one app or all apps? Have you ever had a problems running apps from Phone Link? Have you tried to restart restart your phone?

BTW, I just had a problem where an app hung during startup. I had to uninstall the app and resinstall it. After that the app worked OK.

 

All apps. Not one app will open. Yes, I rested my computer and phone. Weird because I can still open texts and photos. I can't even find where the app is located on my PC. I'm so tired 😴. I spent 7 hours looking up the error and having my tech support remote in. They didn't have a clue.

 

but not one app

Not one app as in no apps or a specific app.
If a specific app which one

 

According to MS/Google:

A "Microsoft Phone Link error 256" typically indicates a problem with network connectivity, meaning your phone and PC are unable to connect properly due to issues with your Wi-Fi network or potentially due to a mismatch in the Microsoft accounts used on both devices.

Troubleshooting the Phone Link - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

.

The location of the app should be C:\Program Files\WindowsApps

To reinstall, this may help: Redirecting

 

Has this ever worked?
What phone and version of os

 

Yes, it has always worked on this computer and this phone, until 2 days ago.
I have Windows 10.
I have Samsung Galaxy A42 - 5G. Model SM-A426U. Android version 13. One UI version. Software is up to date.
I realize that my computer and phone need to be on the same network. I have them both set to use my own WiFi using my Router.
About a year ago, one of my tech support technicians renamed my computer. I went to Link to Windows (on my phone) and took a screen shot. Maybe I need to use the older name? See attachment.

 

I went into my Netgear Genie settings. Firmware is up to date.
I have another thought. I have another phone that Xfinity sent to me. I will see if it works that that Android phone. You can't have two phones connected to Phone Link, so I will disconnect my usual phone. I will let you know.

 

You need to edit your pic and remove the email address, so you won't get spammed

 

Thank you, Peter, I removed the attachment.
Still no luck in opening apps on Phone Link.

 

For a test can you link directly to your phone wifi and not the router.

 

Not understanding. I subscribe to Xfinity Internet. I can switch my phone to Mobile Data, but the rule is both Phone Link and Phone must be on the same network. I think my next call will be to Samsung. I own a Samsung Galaxy A42. One time they remoted in to my phone.

 

1. • Open the
     Settings app
     .
   • Navigate:
     Connections
     Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
     .
   • Tap the
     Mobile Hotspot switch
     to turn on or off.
     When turned on, other Wi-Fi services are turned off.
   • If prompted, review the info then tap
     OK
     to confirm.

On computer click on Network icon in bottom right near screen.
You should see your phone as a network to join to.
Join that and see if it works.
**NB Do not use this as a fix as it could add extra charges to your mobile (depends on your plan).
I would simply do this as a test AND only if you have mobile data as part of your plan already. **

 

1. • Open the
     Settings app
     .
   • Navigate:
     Connections
     Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
     .
   • Tap the
     Mobile Hotspot switch
     to turn on or off.
     When turned on, other Wi-Fi services are turned off.
   • If prompted, review the info then tap
     OK
     to confirm.

On computer click on Network icon in bottom right near screen.
You should see your phone as a network to join to.
Join that and see if it works.
**NB Do not use this as a fix as it could add extra charges to your mobile (depends on your plan).
I would simply do this as a test AND only if you have mobile data as part of your plan already. **

good idea, Peter, but it wanted my username and password. I only found those for my Xfinity app to look at my billing, etc. I wil need to contact Xfinity to find out how to create a network username and pw for Mobile Hotspot. let you know. Getting tired. Thanks.

 

When you hotspot
You click on Mobile hotspot and it should ask only for a password.
Which the phone should have shown you.

 

Unless Xfinity do it differently.
does this help

https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/support/device-troubleshooting?page=device/samsung/galaxy-s23-fe/topic/data/configure-mobile-hotspot/8

 

I don't see the option "configure", maybe because I have the Samsung A42, not
Galaxy S23 FE
(sorry I copied that)
I'm not sure if I should contact Samsung or Xfinity. I think you are on the right track for this test because I have uninstalled and re-installed Phone link twice now. Something to do with the network, for sure. Tired gal here now. I need food. I will dedicate some time tomorrow to do my phone calls. Xfinity allows a chat feature which I can save the transcript. I can copy and paste into a document and share what their suggestions are.

 

Sorry I assumed they would be similar for something that basic
Post 13 was for you model phone

 

https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/support/device-troubleshooting?page=device/samsung/galaxy-a42-5g/topic/data/configure-mobile-hotspot/12

 

I thought I was almost there, but now I have two networks connected and I don't know how to get rid of the top one. I clicked on it, and you'll see in the attachments. I'm going to switch to my regular network until we can figure this out. Let me know if I exposed sensitive information.

 

Let me know if I exposed sensitive information

no
all good just click on disconnect next to phone name if you want to

 

I have Comcast Infinity and never had a problem with Phone Link. I connect to my Samsung S21 phone from my desktop with Ethernet and both my laptops with Wi-Fi.

Have you disconnected your PC from your phone with Link to Windows and your Phone from your PC with Phone Link. After that try connecting them again.

 

I just tried that, and it didn't work. Windows wanted to do an update, so that finished, and Phone Link still doesn't work. I contacted Samsung by chat and they told me to contact Microsoft. Then he gave me a link. I don't have time to read it now because I need to pick up a Rx.

Phone Link with your Galaxy phone and Windows 10 or 11 PC

Answer messages, receive calls, and view alerts on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC when you connect your Galaxy phone with Phone Link!

www.samsung.com

 

When you had a connection to the phone did you test?

 

Yes, I always test Phone Link after I change something. I will explain my setup here. I have a wireless computer. I don't have an ethernet port. It only has 2 USB ports. I have a router made my Netgear. I have an ethernet cord going from router to my modem. I also have an ethernet chord going from router into an ethernet adapter that plugs into my USB hub. That really helped with the Internet speed. My phone is only showing one bar. What's the thing next to it called with upside down parentheses? That shows good. I get dropped calls a lot. I don't know how to get a good signal. When I go outside, I get a another signal bar. One more thing, before I started getting the errors for Phone Link, it kept disconnecting, and I would have to click "connect" again and again. Now, as you know, I can still text and view photos, but not open apps.

 

I get dropped calls a lot. I don't know how to get a good signal. When I go outside, I get a another signal bar. ...

Ask your cellphone provider if they have any hubs (mini cell tower) to connect to your existing internet. It should provide a clearer cell signal within your home. I had to do that with Sprint and AT&T because the signal was bad in the area is it was and my home blocked what remaining signal that could reach within it.

 

I thought you were trying to use Phone Link with your PC? You should forget about hot spots and concentrate on working with your Comcast Wi-Fi.

Do you have a Comcast Xfinity Gateway? If so you should check the phones signal strength on your home network.

You can log into your Xfinity Gateway by entering this address in your Internet browser: 10.0.0.1
Log in with the gateway Username and Password
Select the Connected Devices tab
Here is my Samsung S21 phone in my home network. Note the signal strength is -39 dBm which is quite strong.

Wi-Fi signals are displayed as negative numbers on a scale from -30 dBm to -90 dBm. A strength of -30 dBm is considered perfect while -90 dBm is disconnected. Signal strengths between -50 dBm and -67 dBm are acceptable.

If your phone's Wi-Fi signal is weak then it might explain the problems you are having.

 

I have Xfinity/Comcast for my Internet and Mobile Services. I just spent over 2 hours with them through a chat session. I will look over your instructions and try to follow them. He said he did a refresh/reset with my networks and it will take 15 minutes to take effects. Meanwhile he was offering me more promotional deals. I saved the chat transcript. I need a break now, but I will come back to this Ed. He had me restart my phone. I'm still getting one bar, but need to wait a little longer. I'm so tired. I got nothing done today that I wanted to do. More later. Many thanks.

 

My Phone Link app is opening now without errors. I don't know what Xfinity did because I'm still seeing 1 signal bar. This is a screen shot coming directly from my Gallery app from Phone Link where I can view photos. I tried all the apps too and they open. Crossing fingers it still works tomorrow. It's late here. I need to eat! Thank you all for your suggestions and patience.

 

And now it's not working again. I'm tired.

 

Xfinity issue by the sound of it

 

Peter, I was on this chat session for 6 hours today and talked to 8 different reps. Let me transfer you to the Internet Team", then this team and that team. Then got cut off from the chat. I had texting problems. Finally a rep knew what she was doing and that is fixed. Texting is important to me. I get my texts from doctors, pharmacies, friends and family. Samsung kept trying to tell me to make their messaging app default. Tired girl. Goodnight.

 

😴

 

I screwed up. I thought using a different phone would help open apps on Phone Link. When I clicked "off" on Link to Windows on the different phone, I don't know how to pair my Samsung A42 phone back to it again. Help?

 

Never mind. I got it swtiched back to my A42. MY apps still don't work, but at least I can text on a full keyboard and all my photos are there. I'm learning speech to text too.

 

Click on the Lik your phone to windows heading in this link
Phone Link with your Galaxy phone and Windows 10 or 11 PC

 

Thank you Peter. I dragged that URL to my computer desktop. I still think I have poor connection (phone signal). My ISP doesn't carry those mini cell phone towers/boosters.