Getting “USB device not recognized” error while plug in a USB keyboard, mouse or flash drive to your Windows 10 computer? Sometimes this error message disappears on its own after reconnecting the affected USB device, but not always. So what causes USB Device Not Recognized error? It could be a hardware error, Faulty drivers, Connectivity problems or Configuration issues that cause this USB Device Not Recognized error on your PC.
USB Device Not Recognized
“The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.”
If you are also Struggling with similar problem and unable to use the USB device, apply the solutions listed below.
USB Device Not Recognized
Before applying any solutions, we recommend restart your PC and reconnect the USB device again. That refreshes the operating system and clears the temporary glitch that may be causing the issue.
In addition, if that particular USB port doesn’t recognize it, try another one.
Also, Connect the USB device to another computer to check if the device itself has a problem.
Uninstall Unknown USB device from device manager
Most of the time this error occurs due to a corrupt incompatible installed USB driver, update or reinstall the USB driver is probably a good solution you must try first.
Make sure the problematic USB device is attached to your computer!
- Press Windows key + X and select device manager,
- This will display all installed device driver list,
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and find Unrecognized devices.
- You will see an Unknown USB device with a yellow sign in Universal Serial Bus controllers
- Right-click it and choose Uninstall device.
- Now restart your PC, the drivers are automatically reinstalled after the restart. That’s it.
Install the Latest Windows Updates
Microsoft regularly releases hotfixes to patch critical issues. Install the latest Windows updates that may have a bug fix for this USB Device Not Recognized error.
- Press Windows key + I to open settings
- Go to Update & security then hit check for updates button,
- This will check for available windows updates on the Microsoft server, if available any automatically downlaod and install on your device.
- Once done you only need to reboot your PC to apply changes.
Change USB Power Management Setting
There are chances, Power Management would because of this USB problem “USB Device Not Recognized error”. Let’s uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option will also fix this issue.
- Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
- Go to the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and find USB Root Hub
- If you have multiple USB Root Hubs you’ll have to repeat this step for each one of them.
- Right-click USB Root Hub and choose Properties.
- Go to the Power Management section and make sure that Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is unchecked.
- Save the changes and repeat the steps for all USB Root Hubs that you have in Device Manager
- Once Restart the windows and check this trick may work for you.
Change the USB Selective Suspend Settings
Disable the USB Selective suspend settings on power options can also fix this USB Device not Recognized Error. To do this:
- Open Control Panel and choose Power Options
- Click on Change plan settings next to the selected power plan.
- Next click Change advanced power settings.
- On the new power option Find and expand USB settings.
- Next, Expand USB selective suspend settings and Disable both On battery and Plugged in settings.
- Then Click Apply and OK to save the settings.
- Restart the windows and check the problem is fixed.
Turn off Fast startup
In addition, disable fast startup help a few users fix the USB Device Not Recognized error on windows 10.
- Press Windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl and click ok
- This will open the power options window,
- Click Choose what the power button does.
- Click on the change settings that are currently unavailable link.
- And finally, uncheck the option Turn on fast startup. then click on save changes.
- Again attach your USB device to your PC and check if there is no more error occurs.
In addition, there are chances the USB device not recognized is caused by operating system conflicts. Start Windows 10 clean boot state and check if the USB device is recognized.
Did the above solutions help fix the USB device not recognized error on windows 10? Let us know on the comments below.
Also read:
- How to Fix USB Device Not Recognized Error in Windows 10
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- How to fix USB ports not working in Windows 10 Laptop/PC
- How To Speedup USB Data Transfer on Windows 10