If your USB ports do not seem to be working, there are a few things that you can do in order to try and resolve the issue.
First, unplug all of the cables from the USB ports. This may help if the issue has arisen due to a faulty connection or an issue with the cables themselves. Then, plug the cables back in, and try the USB ports again.
Second, check the power settings for the USB ports. You can do this by going to your computer’s settings, clicking on “Power Options,” and then selecting the option to “View Power Plans.” From there, you should select “USB settings” and make sure that “Selective Suspend” is turned off. This option helps conserve energy but can interfere with the functionality of the USB ports.
Third, try to update the device driver. Drivers allow the computer to recognize and use various hardware components such as the USB ports. To update the driver, first check the computer’s settings to find the device manager, which lists all of the hardware installed on the machine. Find the USB ports, right click on them, and select “Update Driver.” The computer will then search for the most recent driver for the device.
Fourth, if the driver does not update successfully, try uninstalling the USB ports on the device manager. This will essentially delete the port from the computer and force it to reinstall the driver when the USB port is reconnected. To uninstall the ports, go to the device manager, locate the USB ports, right click on them, and select “Uninstall Device.”
Fifth, if all else fails, then try running the hardware troubleshooter tool. This is a tool built into Windows which can detect hardware problems, such as those with USB ports. To run the tool, type “troubleshoot” in the Windows search bar, and then select “Hardware and Devices” when the troubleshooting window appears.
Lastly, if the problem persists after trying all of these steps, then it could be possible that the USB ports have actually become physically damaged. If this is the case, then the only option would be to replace the ports altogether. Depending on the device, this might require professional repair services or a replacement part.
It is also possible that the issue may come from another component of the computer such as the motherboard or power supply. If this is the case, then the entire computer may need to be repaired or replaced.
In any case, if the USB ports do not seem to be working, then following the steps above can help you diagnose and hopefully resolve the issue.