How To Fix Malfunctioning Usb Port

Have your PC or laptop USB ports stopped working? To fix this, you need to diagnose the root of the problem. Here's everything you need to know to quickly get your USB ports working again.

Think Your USB Port Is Not Working? Test It!

Before proceeding, be sure that it is the port that is faulty, rather than the device you're connecting.

To establish which is the problem, you'll need to know how to troubleshoot the USB port. This means testing the USB port.

Start by connecting the device to another USB port. If it works, then the problem is the first port; if the device remains undetected, you have a faulty device. (Note that if you can't reformat the USB drive, it will need replacing.)

If there's a problem with your USB port, you'll notice it thanks to either of these things:

The device fails to be detected
Your operating system displays an error message relating to the device (removing and replacing the device might solve this)

Either way, you should investigate the state of the USB port. Has it been damaged in any way? The safest way to find out is to shut down your PC or laptop.

Next, look at the USB port. Is it clean and dust free? There's a chance that dirt, dust, and general detritus might have become embedded in the port. This can happen with laptop and desktop computers alike.

Dust will reduce airflow, causing your system to overheat. It is particularly damaging to laptops, where overheating can reduce performance in seconds. To fix this, clean out the USB port with a can of compressed air. A vacuum cleaner might also prove handy here.

Finally, grab a USB cable (or flash drive, whatever) and gently wiggle it around. If the drive is moving and feels loose---typically this will be up and down---then you have a problem.

Fix Broken USB Hardware

We'll look at some software fixes in a moment, but first, what if the USB port is loose?

USB ports are soldered to a board within your computer. This may be the motherboard but is typically a secondary printed circuit board (PCB). With regular use, ports can become movable, at times completely unattached.

Often, this is down to the shape of the connected USB devices. While small Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even new USB flash memory are unlikely to put any significant strain on the port's physical connection, older "stick" memory drives are a different story. So are USB cables; their size and associated weight act as a sort of lever, contributing to USB ports working loose.

If you suspect a USB port on the motherboard is failing, replacing it isn't easy. On a desktop computer, you may be able to find a replacement board that can be slotted in without too much effort. Want to know how to fix a USB port on a laptop? It's going to take a soldering iron. Here's an example of what you might need to go through to re-solder the USB connector back into your laptop:

Of course, you could take this to an expert for repair, but there will be associated costs with this. If you want to do it yourself, make sure you know how to solder. If you're not sure, check out the software fixes first.

Can Restarting a Computer Fix Broken USB Ports?

"Have you tried turning it off and back on again?"

This old tech support standby is well-known for a reason: it works!

With your unrecognized USB device correctly inserted into the suspect USB port, restart your computer. Once the operating system has rebooted, it should detect the USB device. If not, it's worth looking at the device in the Windows device manager.

How to Check USB Ports in Windows 10 Device Manager

Begin by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.

The Device Manager lists the devices attached to your computer, grouped into categories. It's arranged alphabetically, so you should find Universal Serial Bus controllers towards the end of the list.

Expand the list and look for the USB Host Controller. The device you're trying to find may have a longer title, but it will feature those three words.

No USB Host Controller? This may explain why your USB device doesn't work. To fix this, click on the Scan for hardware changes button on the toolbar. This will commence a check of all connected hardware and in most cases will detect the USB port and anything connected to it.

If this still hasn't worked, it's worth taking the time to reinstall the USB Host Controllers. Right click on each USB Host Controller items in turn and select Uninstall on each. Wait while they're uninstalled, then reboot your computer.

As Windows restarts, the USB Host Controllers will be automatically reinstalled. This "refresh" can help to fix problems with the USB port.

Note that if you're using a USB mouse and keyboard, it will be disabled while the USB Host Controllers are uninstalled.

Have Power Settings Stopped Your USB Ports Working?

If power management settings are overriding your USB controller, this will impact the detection of USB devices. It will appear that USB is not working, but in fact the operating system has put the device to sleep.

This is particularly relevant if you think your laptop USB port is not working. However, if you're keen to reduce power usage, you might have set your Windows 10 desktop to low power.

USB Selective Suspend is a power saving setting that cuts power to the USB device, thereby reducing battery use.

The feature usually works well, but at times makes it look as if there is a problem with your USB ports.

Fix this by opening the Windows Control Panel and adjusting the settings.

Click Startand enter control panel
Select the corresponding result
Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options
Here, find the selected plan and click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings
Find USB Settingsand expand to find USB selecting suspend setting
Change the drop-down menu to Disabled
Click Applyand OK to confirm
Finally, reboot your PC to ensure this change is applied

You should find that the USB ports that were not working have now been fixed.

(While Windows 10 has largely abandoned the Control Panel, it is still used for some tasks like power settings.)

You've Fixed Your Broken USB Port!

As you can see, you have several options for repairing an unresponsive USB port. In most cases, it won't be dead, and you'll be able to fix it. Remember, when your USB port is not working, you need to:

Make a physical check
If necessary, make a physical repair to the port
Reboot Windows
Check the Device Manager, uninstall the USB Host Controller
Disable USB Selective Suspend power saving option

USB ports aren't the only potential weak spots on your computer. Looking after your hardware will reduce potential failures, and you can save a lot of money if you know how to test your PC for failing hardware.

How to Test Your PC for Failing Hardware: Tips and Tools

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