Connecting a USB flash drive to your Windows 10 computer should be effortless. But sometimes simple things can get troublesome. When you plug your USB device to the port then you might see USB device not recognized message on the display.
Why this happens and how to get rid of it?
It can be frustrating to find that your computer won’t detect the USB. Not only does it make your experience less enjoyable, but it also prevents you from working efficiently. Scroll through and learn everything you need to know about why Windows 10 not recognizing USB devices.
A. Why USB Device Not Recognized
USB connection errors can happen to all Windows 10 computers. Although this issue is quite common, it shouldn’t be overlooked. That becomes the question is, what actually causes this problem?
USB device issue can have various reasons from outdated software to faulty device and hardware. With so many causes, it is rather difficult to determine the reason behind this malfunction.
But in most cases, these things are often linked to unrecognized USB device.
- Outdated drivers
- Faulty hardware
- Corruption
- Pending Windows updates
Troubleshooting method varies heavily depending on the cause. Since you can’t decide which factor causes the USB hard drive problem, it is very important to work through potential solutions until you find the best one.
B. How to Fix a “USB Device Not Recognized” Issue
Good news for all, there are some effective solutions to get rid of USB connection problems in Windows 10. Please note that you might not be succeeded in the first try. Therefore, don’t give up and keep working through these potential solutions.
1. Disconnect USB Devices and Restart
First of all, try to disconnect your USB device from your computer then restart. Once the computer restarts, plug USB device back into the same port. If it’s still not working, try to plug into another USB ports. If it works, you can tell that the previous USB port is malfunctioned.
2. Check for USB 3 and USB 2 Compatibility
Furthermore, you might need to check for USB compatibility. Most USB 3 devices are able to connect to USB 2 ports on your Windows 10 computer. However, some USB 3 devices possibly require a USB 3 port. Although it shouldn’t be a major issue, it is worth checking.
3. Update Device Drivers
Next on the list, you might need to check if device drivers require an update. All device drivers should be updated automatically by your computer. But for whatever reasons, your Windows 10 computer might fail and cause USB device malfunctioned.
Do the following steps to update device drivers in Windows 10:
- Right click on Windows icon and choose Device Manager.
- Scroll down and click an arrow to the left of Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- After that, right click on Unknown device then select Properties.
- On the next screen, click Driver tab and select Update Driver.
- Choose Search Automatically…
Wait for a moment. Once your computer finished the process, try to plug the USB device into the port. If it doesn’t work, try the next troubleshooting method.
4. Update Windows 10
Additionally, try to update your Windows. This approach can solve a number of issues, including USB device not recognized. Here is how to check if an update is available for your device.
- Go to Settings then select Updates & Security.
- Navigate to the left pane and click Windows Update.
- Select Check for Updates. This process may take a while.
In the event an update is available, allow Windows to install the latest update. Once the installation process is finished, plug in your USB device and see if the problem persists.
5. Disable the ‘USB Selective Suspend’ Settings
After updating your Windows 10 but still you can’t access USB drive, try to disable the USB selective suspend. This is a built-in feature that helps your computer conserve power but it may disable the USB ports.
Here’s how to disable this setting:
- On your search box, type Edit power plan then click the first suggestion.
- Select Change advanced power settings.
- Click + icon to the left of USB settings then choose USB selective suspend setting.
- The current settings must be Enabled. Change to Disabled and choose Apply.
Now USB Selective Suspend has been disabled. Connect your USB drive to the port. If USB selective suspend is the reason, your USB device should be recognized by now. But if it doesn’t work, try another approach.
6. Fix Power Management Settings for USB Root Hub
In addition to USB Selective Suspend, Windows 10 is featured with USB Root Hub to conserve power. This feature is intended to support the USB ports but it can cause inconsistent performance when it disables the ports.
Fortunately, you can change the settings in order that Windows ignores this USB Root Hub. Here’s how to do it:
- Right click on your Windows icon then select Device Manager.
- Expand USB controllers then right click on USB Root Hub.
- Select Properties.
- After that, click on Power Management tab then uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off….”
- Click OK.
Repeat above steps for all USB Root Hub on your list. If you’re done, try to plug your USB drive into the port.
7. Uninstall Faulty Device Drivers
Another method to solve unrecognized USB device is by uninstalling faulty device drivers. In some cases, this approach works effectively than any other methods. Do the following steps to uninstall device drivers from your Windows 10 computer:
- Right click on Start then choose Device Manager.
- Expand USB controllers by clicking the small arrow to the left of it.
- Right click on the USB device with an exclamation mark then select Uninstall.
- Repeat for all USB devices with the same mark.
- Restart your computer to save changes.
After your computer restarts, try to plug your USB device into the port. This should overcome unrecognized USB issue. If not, check if your USB device is damaged.
To sum up, USB device not recognized can be caused by several factors, including hardware and software. If you experience this issue, try troubleshooting methods above and figure out which one works well to your Windows 10 computer.
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