If your USB port is not functioning properly, there are a few steps you can take to try and get it working again.
1. Check the Device Manager: First, open the Device Manager by typing “Device Manager” into the search box on the Start menu of your computer. Within the Device Manager window, click the arrow next to Universal Serial Bus controllers. If you see any entries with a yellow exclamation mark next to them, this indicates a problem with the device. Right-click the device and choose ‘Update Driver Software…’. This will start the process of reinstalling the driver for that device.
2. Unplug and Replug the Device: One of the simplest of solutions is to unplug the USB device from your computer and then plug it back in. This will allow your computer to re-detect the device and load the appropriate drivers. If the device is still not working properly, try plugging it into a different USB port on your computer.
3. Disable and Re-enable the USB Root Hubs: The USB root hubs store the data paths and power lines that let your USB devices communicate with your computer. To disable the USB root hubs, open the Device Manager and expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers entry. Select each of the USB root hubs, right-click, and select ‘Disable’. Do this for all the USB root hubs. Then, once they are disabled, right-click them again and select ‘Enable’.
4. Update or Reinstall the Drivers: If the device is still not working after disabling/enabling the USB root hubs, you may need to either update or reinstall the drivers for the device. To do this, open the Device Manager and find the device. Right-click and select ‘Uninstall’. Then, restart your computer. When the computer restarts, it should automatically detect the device and install the necessary drivers. If this does not happen, you can manually download and install the driver from the manufacturer’s website.
5. Try a Different USB Port: If you have tried the above steps, but the device is still not working properly, there may be an issue with the USB port itself. In this case, you should try connecting the device to a different USB port on your computer. It’s also a good idea to try connecting the device to a different computer, if possible, to make sure the problem is not with the USB device itself.
6. Check your Computer’s Power Management Settings: Some computer power management settings can affect the performance of USB devices. To check these settings, open the Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Then, in the list of available power plans, select ‘High Performance’.
7. Check the BIOS: The BIOS (basic input/output system) on computers may also need to be checked for compatibility with certain USB devices. To do this, restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS. Then, look for an entry related to USB and make sure it is enabled.
8. Reset Your Computer: If the above steps do not work, the only remaining option may be to reset your computer. This will restore the computer to its original settings and may resolve the issue. Before resetting your computer, it’s a good idea to back up any important files you may have stored on the computer.
Having a non-functioning USB port can be very frustrating, but with these steps, you should be able to get it working again. Keep in mind that if the issue persists, you may need to contact a professional technician to look over the hardware components of your computer to determine the cause of the issue.