[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lejeus:
Can't access fastboot mode nor the bootloader

One year later and this is still an issue. Here is my situation:

I bought an OTG (on-the-go) cord that allows me to connect a USB stick to my phone in order to extend my storage capabilities, but my phone doesn't natively support OTG (it basically doesn't have the drivers for it). In order to add support for it I need to root my phone, which I am having serious trouble with.

After hours of researching, installing, uninstalling, and factory resetting I've narrowed everything down to not being able to access the bootloader to select the fastboot mode. Here are my phone details:

Device Name: LG K20 (boot screen says "LG k20 Plus" however)

Model: LM-X120WM

Android Version: 9

Build Number: PKQ1.180904.001

Software Version: X120WM11c

As far as configurations go, I have:

- Enabled Developer Support

- Enabled OEM Unlocking

- Enabled USB Debugging

- Made my computer a Trusted Device on the phone

- There are no special "adb" options or configurations within my phone (I saw one website mentioned something about "adb" some options, but I only saw this once, and my phone doesn't have it anyway).

So far I have tried:

1) Holding the Power + Volume Down button for 10 seconds, then releasing the Power button when I see the LG logo, then repress the Power button until I see the "Factory Reset" menu. All this does it give me options to Factory Reset unfortunately (which I've done).

2) Holding Power + Volume Down button for 10 seconds. This simply reboots the phone and does nothing else.

3) I've downloaded, installed (on both my phone and my computer when needed), and tried rooting using the following programs: Dr.Fone, KingoRoot, RootGenius, iRoot, SuperSU Pro, and Superuser. There were some others I tried as well, but I determined I couldn't get anywhere with them specifically because I could not access fastboot mode (one example is "Magisk Manager").

4) Using ADB tools within command prompt (the most commonly recommended method) I tried rebooting the device into fastboot mode using the command "adb fastboot bootloader". The phone simply reboots and that's it, it has not switched into fastboot mode. You can confirm if you are by using the command "fastboot devices", which my device never shows.

5) I have gone to the LG website in order to download the drivers for this phone, however, while I am able to locate my specific device on the LG website, it directs me to download the "LG Mobile Support Tool", rather than download the drivers specifically for this device. I downloaded and installed the LG Mobile Support Tool but when the tool loads it does not recognize my device and tells me I need to install the drivers, which it gives me an option to do. Naturally I start the process to install the drivers but when it gives me the list of phone models mine is not in there *and you cannot proceed without selecting a model*. So, I tried using the closest model to mine (the LMX510WM), but it still didn't work.

6) Because LG does not have a direct download of the drivers for this device specifically I have tried downloading a variety of different drivers for this device. None have resolved the issue, but at this time *I believe* I have the most recent version of the LG drivers available "LGMobileDriver_WHQL_Ver_4.5.0".

7) I've tried adding the USB drivers through any install tools that came with them, and I've tried installing them manually via "Device Manager -> Add Legacy Hardware" and choosing the driver files specifically. This has not resolved the issue.

8) Installed the "wpdmtp.inf" file found within "c:\windows\INF" as recommended for Windows 10 users on one forum or another. Did not resolve the issue.

9) Installed the full Android Studio suite hoping something I was missing would be available, I also tried using the "adb" tools they provided: no love.

10) I also tried powering off the phone, holding the Volume Down button while plugging in the USB cord. This is supposed to do *something*, the instructions says I should enter "download mode", but on my phone does nothing.

11) the XDA-Developers forum suggested installed LGBridge_Setup.exe if I was having problems with drivers, which I have. When I ran the program it wasn't able to connect to my phone.

At this time I've uninstalled almost all software and all extra drivers from my computer (I left only the "LGMobileDriver_WHQL_Ver_4.5.0" drivers), as well as having factory reset the phone.

Everything is ready for another attempt, I've just run out of ideas. Thoughts?