Fix The “USB device not recognized” error in Windows 11/10

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If you’re encountering the “USB device not recognized” error on Windows 10, there are several methods you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool to troubleshoot and fix issues with hardware and connected devices. To use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter:

  1. Press Windows Key + S to open the search bar.
  2. Type Command Prompt in the search bar and open it.
  3. In the Command Prompt, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
  4. The troubleshooter will open. Follow the on-screen instructions to detect and fix issues.

2. Uninstall and Reinstall USB Controller Drivers

Problems with USB Controller Drivers can cause the USB device to be unrecognized. To resolve this:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + Pause to open System Properties.
  2. Click on Device Manager.
  3. Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand the list.
  4. For each USB controller:
    1. Right-click and select Uninstall device.
    2. Confirm any prompts to uninstall the driver.
  5. Restart your computer to allow Windows to automatically reinstall the drivers.

3. Update USB Device and Motherboard Chipset Drivers

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Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause recognition issues. To update drivers:

  • Manual Update:
    1. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your USB device and motherboard.
    2. Search for the latest drivers compatible with your Windows version.
    3. Download and install these drivers following the provided instructions.
  • Automatic Update:
    1. Use a driver update tool like Driver Easy or Win Riser software.
    2. Download and install the software.
    3. Run the software and it will automatically detect and update your drivers.

4. Disable USB Selective Suspend Feature

This feature helps conserve power but can sometimes cause USB devices to be unrecognized. To disable it:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + R, type control, and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
  2. Select Power Options.
  3. Choose the Change plan settings link next to your current power plan.
  4. Click on Change advanced power settings.
  5. In the Power Options dialog, expand the USB settings and then the USB selective suspend setting.
  6. Set both the ‘On battery’ and ‘Plugged in’ settings to Disabled.
  7. Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.

5. Change Power Management for USB Root Hub

Altering the power management settings for the USB Root Hub can sometimes resolve recognition issues. To do this:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
  3. Right-click on each USB Root Hub entry and select Properties.
  4. Switch to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option.
  6. Click OK to save your changes. Repeat for all USB Root Hub entries.

6. Update the USB Port Driver

Using the correct USB port driver is crucial for device recognition. To update the USB port driver:

  • Manual Update:
    1. Visit the manufacturer’s website of your PC.
    2. Find the latest USB port driver compatible with your version of Windows.
    3. Download and install the driver following the website’s instructions.
  • Automatic Update:
    1. Use a tool like Driver Easy.
    2. Install and run the tool. It will scan your system and identify any outdated drivers.
    3. Follow the prompts to update the necessary drivers.

7. Change Power Supply Setting

Adjusting the power supply settings might help in recognizing the USB device. To change the power supply setting:

  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  2. Click on Choose what the power button does.
  3. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  4. Uncheck the Turn on fast startup option.
  5. Click Save changes and restart your computer.
  6. After restarting, plug in the USB device to see if it works.

8. Update BIOS Version

An outdated BIOS can cause compatibility issues with hardware. Updating it can help but should be done cautiously. To update the BIOS:

  1. Press Windows Key + S and search for msinfo. Open System Information to find your current BIOS version.
  2. Visit the website of your computer’s manufacturer to compare your BIOS version with the latest one available.
  3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update the BIOS. This process can vary and may require downloading an updater or manually updating.
  4. Note: The BIOS update process is technical and risky. It’s recommended to have a professional perform the update if you’re not confident in doing it yourself.

9. Try Different USB Ports

Sometimes the issue might be with the USB port itself. To check this:

  1. Disconnect the USB device from the current port.
  2. Try connecting it to a different USB port on your computer.
  3. If the device works in a different port, the original port may be faulty.

10. Format the USB Drive

Corrupted files or technical errors on the USB drive can cause recognition issues. Formatting the drive may resolve these problems. Here’s how to format your USB drive:

  1. Open ‘This PC’ by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
  2. Right-click on the drive that represents your USB device.
  3. Select Format from the context menu.
  4. In the Format dialog, you can choose a file system and allocation unit size. For most purposes, the default settings are adequate.
  5. Check the option for a quick format if available.
  6. Click Start to begin the formatting process.
  7. A warning message will appear, confirming that all data on the drive will be erased. Click OK to proceed if you’re sure.
  8. Wait until the formatting process is complete.

Note: Formatting the USB drive will erase all data on it. Ensure that you have backed up any important data before proceeding with the format.



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