Users experience of OTG seems to differ as suggested by a forum search for OTG. In your case I would first suspect the “chain” of cables you are using. Loosely speaking I think it is roughly correct that OTG, standard USB A connections, and USB C have a different “attitude” to asymmetric connection.
I once bought a USB OTG Adapter and it failed to do the job I wanted.( I often don’t throw things away,) so when I came to try to answer this thread My phone does not recognize usb stick the adapter did work as expected.
I find a storage device sold as OTG-enabled with both a standard USB A connection and a connection to fit my mobile (in your case USB-C) to “work every time”.
This FP3 thread may be useful
At first reading I did not think this could be your issue – as I know of no deep settings.
Just in case …
Use the search facility in Settings to search for USB.
Check that a suitable setting is enabled. Note settings can only be changed when a “live” USB cable is connected.
There is a further Default USB configuration. This is in Settings > System> Developer options. If Developer options are not enabled this is probably set to a sensible default.
If access to Developer options is required …
Settings > About Phone > Build Number or Version > Tap seven times
You will get a message that you are a Developer.