How to fix a USB device not recognised or not charging on Windows 10/11

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix a USB device not recognised or not charging on Windows 10/11. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

USB ports are essential for connecting peripherals and charging devices on your Windows 10 or 11 machine. When a port stops recognising devices or fails to charge, it can disrupt your workflow. This guide walks you through resolving common USB recognition and power issues using built-in Windows tools.

Quick Fix Steps

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, try these initial checks to rule out simple hardware issues:

• Try a different USB port on your computer.
• Test the USB device on another computer to ensure the device itself isn't faulty.
• Restart your computer. A simple reboot often resets temporary hardware glitches.
• Check the USB cable for physical damage or fraying.

Detailed Instructions

Reinstall USB Controllers via Device Manager

Corrupt or outdated USB controller drivers are a common cause of recognition failures. Reinstalling them forces Windows to load fresh drivers.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click the first USB Root Hub and select Uninstall device. Repeat this for all USB Root Hub entries.
4. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the necessary drivers upon boot.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

Windows has a power-saving feature that can turn off USB ports to save energy. Disabling this can resolve charging and disconnection issues.

1. Press Win + S to open the search bar.
2. Type edit power plan and select Edit power plan from the results.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. In the Power Options window, expand USB settings, then expand USB selective suspend setting.
5. Change the setting to Disabled for both "On battery" and "Plugged in" (if applicable).
6. Click Apply then OK.

Check Power Management Settings for USB Root Hubs

Individual USB hubs can also be configured to turn off to save power. You can disable this behaviour in Device Manager.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Right-click a USB Root Hub and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Power Management tab.
5. Uncheck the box labelled Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
6. Click OK and repeat for all USB Root Hubs.

Troubleshooting

Run Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows includes a hidden troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix hardware issues.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
3. Click Next in the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter window.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to apply any recommended fixes.

Update Chipset and USB Drivers

If reinstalling the controllers didn't work, your motherboard's chipset drivers might be outdated. These drivers control how the motherboard communicates with USB ports.

1. Identify your computer manufacturer and model.
2. Visit the manufacturer's official support website.
3. Download the latest Chipset and USB drivers for Windows 10/11.
4. Install the drivers and restart your computer.

Check for Physical Damage

Inspect the USB ports on your computer for bent pins, debris, or burn marks. If a port is physically damaged, it will not function correctly regardless of software settings. If you suspect hardware damage to your motherboard or ports, please Open a Ticket and our technicians can assist with hardware repairs.

Analyse System Logs

For persistent issues, checking the Windows Event Viewer can provide clues about why a USB device is failing.

1. Right-click Start and select Event Viewer.
2. Expand Windows Logs and select System.
3. Look for warnings or errors (highlighted with a yellow triangle or red circle) that coincide with the time you plugged in the USB device.
4. Filter the current log by the source Kernel-PnP or USB to narrow down the entries.

Still Having Issues?