Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Tabraiz
If your USB device is not being recognized by your Windows 10/11 computer, then this article will help you with some of the best methods to fix this issue asap.
These days, it’s common to share information and store it on devices that are easy to carry. Flash drives are becoming a more common way to store files and software. With so much reliance on USB storage devices, it’s easy to see how you could end up in a situation where the USB suddenly won’t work on the system and you need the data on it.
If you are one of those users who is facing this problem on their computer. Then, today with the help of this article we will show you some methods that you can follow and fix the issue. The methods included USB 3.0 driver download, changing power supply settings, updating Windows, etc. So without wasting any more time, let’s jump right into it.
Different Methods To Fix USB Device Unrecognized Issue On Windows PC
Below we have shared some of the best techniques that you can use in order to resolve this issue.
Method1: Restart Your Windows Device
Most of the errors happen when the system doesn’t work right. In these situations, the first thing to do if the system shows an error is to restart it. By following the steps below, you can restart the system and fix the error that says the computer doesn’t recognize the USB. The below steps will explain how to restart the system.
Step1: Click on the Windows icon in the bottom right corner
Step2: Expand the Power section by selecting it from the left-side pane.
Step3: Now, click on the Restart option. This will first shut down your computer and then start it again.
After restarting your computer, check if the problem is resolved. Performing this method will close all the background applications that might be restricting the USB port from working. If the issue still persists, then proceed to the next solution.
Method2: Update Your Windows Operating System
Having an outdated operating system can be a major reason behind many issues like this one. It is for the best that you should update your Windows OS on a regular basis. You can perform this task by visiting Windows Settings and searching for any available updates. The steps mentioned below will guide you through the entire process.
Step1: Open the Settings window from the Start menu list.
Step2: Choose the Update & Security section present on the Settings window
Step3: Now, go to the Windows Update tab and then select the Check for updates option. This will allow your computer to search for any available updates online.
Step4: If there are any updates, they will be shown on your screen. Download and install the new Windows OS on your computer.
Step5: Once the process is complete, your computer will automatically restart itself and start using the new version.
Method3: Update USB Driver Using Windows Tools
The Device Manager is a tool built into Windows that keeps all of your device drivers in a good state. With this tool, you can update, roll back, and reinstall any kind of device driver. People say that this tool is one of the best ones that come with Windows. Check out the instructions listed below in order to update the USB drivers and fix the issue:
Step1: Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open a context menu list, select the Device Manager utility from that list.
Step2: Now, to expand the Universal Bus Controllers, click on the arrow button next to it. Then, right-click on the Generic USB Hub or USB 3.0 driver and click on the Update driver.
Step3: Go with the “Search automatically for drivers” option on the new pop-up window displayed on your screen.
Step4: Follow the setup wizard instructions to install the new drivers onto your computer.
Once you are done with the installation process, Restart your computer, and it will start using the new drivers.
Method4: Change The USB Root Hub’s Power Management Settings
Windows has a few features that save power that would otherwise be wasted. The USB Root Hub helps the USB ports on your computer work better. So that it doesn’t get turned off by accident, you can tell Windows to ignore the USB Root Hub. Implement the steps shared below in order to perform this process successfully.
Step1: Open the Device Manager tool by searching it in the search box present on the taskbar.
Step2: Now, on the Device Manager window, click on the down arrow icon to expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers option. Then, open the USB Root Hub driver’s options menu by right-clicking on it. Go with the properties option by selecting it from the list.
Step3: A new window will appear on your screen, click on the Power Management tab from the top. Uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”. And then, click on the OK option to save the changes.
If you have more than one USB Root Hub driver under the Universal Serial Bus Controller section, you need to repeat this process a couple of times. Remember to click on the OK button every time to save the changes.
After you make the changes in the Power Management settings, plug your USB device into one of the ports and check if your computer is able to recognize it.
Also Read:Set up a VPN-protected Wi-Fi hotspot on a laptop
Resolved: How To Fix USB Device Not Recognized On Windows 10/11 PC
We believe that one of the different methods mentioned in this article has helped you fix the problem. If not, there might be a chance that your USB port is broken and you need to either repair or replace it. If you are facing difficulties with any of the shared steps, do not hesitate to share them with us by writing them in the comments box.
