Computers · Repair guide

How to fix "USB device not recognized" in Windows

Error messageUSB device not recognized

8 fixes, easiest first3 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Unplug the device, restart the PC, then plug it straight into a different USB port with a different cable if you can. If it still fails, open Device Manager, uninstall the device or the USB Root Hub entries, and restart so Windows reinstalls the drivers.

What it means

Windows shows "USB device not recognized" when something you plug in does not respond properly, so Windows cannot tell what it is or load a driver for it. The cause can be the device, its cable, the USB port, not enough power, or a driver or power-saving setting on the PC.

Common causes

  • A loose connection, a damaged cable or a faulty USB port
  • An unpowered hub or a port that cannot supply enough power
  • A temporary glitch in the USB controller that a restart clears
  • A damaged or out-of-date USB or device driver
  • Windows power saving turning USB ports off
  • A recent Windows update or driver change
  • The device itself is failing

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Unplug, restart and plug it back inEasy

  1. Unplug the USB device.
  2. Select Start > Power > Restart. A full restart is better than sleep or shut down for clearing USB glitches.
  3. When Windows has fully started, plug the device back in and wait a few seconds.

Why it helps: A restart resets the USB controllers and clears many one-off errors.

02Try another port and cable, and skip the hubEasy

  1. Plug the device directly into the PC instead of a hub, dock or extension cable.
  2. Try a different USB port. On a desktop, try a port on the back, which connects straight to the motherboard.
  3. Swap the cable for another one if the device uses a removable cable. Some cheap cables only carry power, not data.
  4. If the device has its own power adapter, plug it in. On a laptop, plug in the charger and unplug USB devices you are not using.

Why it helps: Bad cables, weak hubs and underpowered ports are the most common reasons a device is not recognized.

03Test the device on another computerEasy

  1. Plug the device into a different computer.
  2. If it fails there too, the device or its cable is probably faulty; contact its maker.
  3. If it works there, the problem is your PC; continue with the fixes below.

Why it helps: This tells you whether to fix the PC or replace the device.

04Check Device Manager for an errorMedium

  1. With the device plugged in, select Start, type Device Manager and open it.
  2. Look for an entry with a yellow exclamation point, often under Universal Serial Bus controllers or Other devices.
  3. Right-click it, choose Properties and read the code under Device status.
  4. Select Action > Scan for hardware changes to make Windows look for the device again.

Why it helps: The error code shows whether the problem is a driver, a resource or the device itself.

05Reinstall the device and USB driversMedium

  1. In Device Manager, right-click the device with the warning sign and choose Uninstall device, then confirm.
  2. Unplug the device.
  3. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB Root Hub entry and choose Uninstall device. Your USB mouse and keyboard may stop working until you restart, so use the power button or Start > Power > Restart.
  4. After the restart, Windows reinstalls the USB drivers. Plug the device back in.

Why it helps: Reinstalling clears damaged driver settings for the device and the ports it uses.

06Stop Windows turning off USB ports to save powerMedium

  1. In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click a USB Root Hub entry and choose Properties.
  2. On the Power Management tab, clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and select OK. Repeat for each USB Root Hub. If there is no Power Management tab, skip this step.
  3. Next, select Start, type edit power plan and open Edit power plan, then select Change advanced power settings.
  4. Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting, set Plugged in (and On battery on a laptop) to Disabled, then select Apply and OK. Many newer PCs do not show this option; if it is missing, skip it.
  5. Restart the PC.

Why it helps: Power saving can switch off a port or device, which makes it drop out or fail to be recognized.

07Update Windows and the PC's USB driversMedium

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install everything offered and restart.
  2. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options, select Optional updates under Additional options, and install any driver updates listed.
  3. Visit your PC maker's support site, enter your model, and install the latest chipset and USB drivers.
  4. If you have a Dell, HP or Lenovo, the maker's own support app can also find drivers for your model.

Why it helps: Updated chipset and USB drivers fix many known recognition problems.

08If it started after an update: remove the latest updateAdvanced

  1. Warning: back up important files first. Removing an update can bring back problems it fixed.
  2. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history, then select Uninstall updates under Related settings.
  3. Choose the update that was installed just before the problem began and select Uninstall. Some updates cannot be removed.
  4. Restart and test the USB device, then check for a fixed update later.

Why it helps: Sometimes a new update or the driver it brings does not work well with certain USB hardware.

Check it's fixed

  • The "USB device not recognized" message no longer appears when you plug the device in.
  • The device shows up in File Explorer or works normally, such as a mouse moving or a printer printing.
  • Device Manager shows the device without a yellow warning sign.

When to get help

If the device fails on every computer, it or its cable is faulty. If several devices fail on all ports of your PC even after reinstalling drivers, the USB ports may be damaged; contact your PC maker or a repair shop.

Questions

What does "The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it" mean?

It is the detail Windows shows with the "USB device not recognized" message. It means the device did not respond correctly, often because of the cable, port, power or a driver.

Why does the USB device not recognized message keep popping up?

A device or cable that keeps losing connection, or power saving turning a port off, can trigger it repeatedly. Unplug devices one at a time to find which one causes it, then try another port and cable.

Why is my USB device not recognized after a Windows update?

An update may have changed a USB or chipset driver. Reinstall the USB Root Hub drivers, install your PC maker's latest chipset driver, or remove the latest update.

Can a USB device not recognized error damage my files?

The message itself does not delete anything, but a failing drive can lose data. If a drive is only sometimes recognized, copy off your important files as soon as it works.

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