Is your USB device not responding when connected to your Windows PC? You’re not alone. Many users face this frustrating issue, especially after updates or when using multiple devices.
In this guide, updated as of July 2025, we’ll walk you through practical and beginner-friendly ways to fix USB recognition problems on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- 1 Common Symptoms When USB Is Not Recognized
- 2 Basic Checks Before You Start
- 2.1 Step 1: Fully Restart Your PC (Not Just Reboot)
- 2.2 Step 2: Disable USB Power Saving Settings
- 2.3 Step 3: Update or Reinstall USB Drivers
- 2.4 Step 4: Check BIOS or UEFI USB Settings
- 2.5 Step 5: Use the Built-in Troubleshooter
- 2.6 Step 6: Check for Interference from Other USB Devices
- 2.7 Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Works)
- 2.8 ⚠ USB Issues After Windows 11 24H2 Update
- 3 Improve USB Stability with Better Accessories
- 4 Summary Table: Causes and Solutions
Common Symptoms When USB Is Not Recognized
- No sound or notification when plugging in the USB
- Error message: “The last USB device you connected malfunctioned…”
- Device listed as “Unknown device” in Device Manager
- Some ports or devices work, others do not
Basic Checks Before You Start
- Try a different USB port (front/back, or another USB type)
- Test the USB device on a different computer
- If using a USB hub, try connecting the device directly to your PC
Step 1: Fully Restart Your PC (Not Just Reboot)
Sometimes a simple shutdown won’t reset the USB subsystem. Try this instead:
- Hold Shift and click “Restart” from the Start menu
- Choose Troubleshoot > Turn off your PC
- Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on
Step 2: Disable USB Power Saving Settings
- Right-click the Start button → Device Manager
- Expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers”
- Right-click each “USB Root Hub” → Properties
- Under the “Power Management” tab, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
Step 3: Update or Reinstall USB Drivers
- Open Device Manager
- Right-click on any “Unknown Device” or “USB Mass Storage Device”
- Select “Uninstall device” and then restart your PC
- Windows will reinstall the correct driver automatically
Step 4: Check BIOS or UEFI USB Settings
Sometimes, USB ports are disabled from BIOS/UEFI. Common settings to check:
- Legacy USB Support
- USB Controller
- XHCI Hand-off
Make sure they’re enabled. Don’t forget to save changes before exiting BIOS.
Step 5: Use the Built-in Troubleshooter
- Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- Run the “USB” or “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter
Step 6: Check for Interference from Other USB Devices
- Disconnect all other USB devices and reconnect one by one
- Remove wireless mouse adapters or other peripherals temporarily
- Consider using a powered USB hub if using multiple devices
Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Works)
- Disable USB Selective Suspend: Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Advanced settings → USB settings → Set “USB selective suspend setting” to “Disabled”
- Registry edit: Remove upper/lower filter drivers (advanced users only, backup recommended)
⚠ USB Issues After Windows 11 24H2 Update
Since the 24H2 update, some older USB devices stopped being recognized properly due to new power management and driver policies.
If you’re affected:
- Check for firmware updates from your USB device manufacturer
- Consider rolling back the update or using a restore point
Improve USB Stability with Better Accessories
If you’re using older USB hubs or generic adapters, upgrading to high-quality accessories can reduce errors significantly. Below are some tested options:
🔌 Recommended USB Accessories【Sponsored Links】
Check out high-performance USB hubs or compact Bluetooth adapters that work well even on older machines.
Summary Table: Causes and Solutions
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Physical port failure or bad connection | Try a different port, test on another PC |
| Power management disabling USB | Disable power-saving in Device Manager |
| Driver corruption or missing driver | Update or uninstall driver, then reboot |
| BIOS/UEFI has USB disabled | Enable USB settings in BIOS and restart |
| Windows update caused issues | Uninstall update or use system restore |
| Other USB devices interfering | Disconnect others and test one at a time |
We hope this guide helps you resolve your USB recognition issue. If you found it helpful, feel free to bookmark or share it with others facing the same problem!
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▶︎How I Fixed 100% Disk Usage on My Windows 11 Laptop (Fujitsu LIFEBOOK）
💡 Looking for more tips? Check out our full list of Windows Help Guides.
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