USB ports get used every day, for mice, keyboards, memory sticks, phones and chargers, so it’s no surprise they sometimes stop working. The cause can be as simple as a faulty cable or a Windows setting, or as serious as a broken port. Work through these checks in order.
Rule out the device and the cable
Plug the device into a different port, and if you can, into another computer. If it doesn’t work anywhere, the device or its cable is the problem, not your computer. Try a different cable too. Some USB-C cables only carry power, not data, so a phone may charge but not appear on your computer.
Quick fixes to try
- Restart properly. Choose Restart from the Start menu rather than shutting down, which fully resets the USB controllers.
- Unplug everything, then reconnect your devices one at a time to see whether one of them is causing the problem.
- Check Device Manager. Right-click the Start button, open Device Manager and expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. A yellow warning symbol points to a driver problem. Choose Action, then Scan for hardware changes.
- Reinstall the USB drivers. In the same section, uninstall each USB Root Hub entry and restart. Windows reinstalls them automatically.
- Update your drivers and BIOS. Download the latest chipset drivers and BIOS from your computer maker’s support website.
Stop Windows turning ports off to save power
Windows can switch USB ports off to save battery, which sometimes stops them waking up again. In Device Manager, open each USB Root Hub, go to the Power Management tab and untick “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”. In Power Options, you can also turn off USB selective suspend under the advanced power settings.
Look at the port itself
Shine a torch into the port. Fluff, dust and crumbs are common, especially in laptops carried in bags, and can be cleared gently with a wooden toothpick. Never use anything metal. If the port is bent, wobbly or only works when you hold the plug at an angle, it’s physically damaged and needs repairing.
Power-hungry devices
External hard drives and some hubs draw a lot of power. If a device keeps disconnecting, especially through an unpowered hub, try plugging it straight into the computer or use a hub with its own power supply.
USB-C ports
USB-C ports can do more than older ports, including charging and connecting a monitor, but not every USB-C port supports every feature. Look for small symbols next to the port, such as a lightning bolt for Thunderbolt or a battery icon for charging, and check your laptop’s manual to see what each port does.
Signs it’s a hardware fault
- The port feels loose or moves when you plug something in.
- Devices disconnect when the cable is touched.
- Ports on one side work, but not the other.
- None of the ports work, which can point to a motherboard or power fault.
- There’s a burning smell or visible scorching. Stop using the computer if so.
How we fix it
On many laptops the USB ports are soldered to the motherboard, while others sit on a separate small board that’s easier to replace. Either way, a broken port can usually be repaired without replacing the whole laptop. We also fix USB problems on desktops and set up hubs and docking stations. See our laptop repair and computer and PC repair pages for more.
In short: test the device and cable somewhere else first, then restart, check Device Manager and turn off USB power saving. If the port is loose or damaged, or none of the ports work, it’s a hardware fault that a technician can usually repair.
Need a hand? PC Masters offers a free diagnosis over the phone, a £59 same-day call-out across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Harpenden and Leighton Buzzard, No Fix, No Fee, and a warranty from 1 month up to 36 months. Book online or call 0800 145 5521, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.