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How to Fix the Issue of Laptop USB Ports Not Working?

2024-11-30 by CHUWI

Ever had your laptop attachments refuse to work, only to find a fault in the USB port and not the device itself? We have all been there. Somehow, one of the ports just finds a way to stop functioning and cause mayhem in your already busy life.

Worry not anymore; this blog is here to save you from distress. If you have found your laptop USB port not working and are fighting for your life, keep reading further for practical solutions to get that problem out of the way as soon as possible.

Why Do You Need USB Ports?

As technology advances, newer laptops increasingly use USB-C ports for charging, replacing traditional proprietary power ports. To charge effectively, you’ll need a high-power USB-C cable. However, it’s easy to accidentally plug into a port not designated for charging, which can confuse. If your USB ports are not working on the laptop, you should fix that as soon as possible. USB ports might not look like much, but they allow for a wide range of laptop connectivity, including data transfer, charging, and even hardware attachments.

  1. The USB port is most commonly used to transfer data between hard drives, flash drives, phones, cameras, etc.
  2. You can also connect external peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers via USB ports.
  3. Sometimes, laptops can also be used as a power source, and the USB port connects devices to charge. Alternatively, another battery source can be used to change the laptop itself via the USB port.

In short, USB ports are the main doorway through which you can transform your laptop into a multifunctional workstation and get the most out of your device. It can amplify your productivity, fulfill your power needs through any source, and simultaneously create links with multiple storage devices!

How to Detect Port Malfunction?

There are common symptoms that indicate a malfunction of the USB ports. More often than not, coming across any of these means your USB port needs fixing. Let’s look at a few common signs of malfunction:

device not recognized

How we all dread this notification! After plugging in a USB device, if a little bubble pops up on your screen with this alarming notification, it indicates a malfunctioning port. In other cases, there might not even be a bubble, and the plugging and unplugging of your USB device would go largely unnoticed; such a situation also hints at a dead USB port.

If the attached device starts glitching with its connectivity, connects and disconnects repeatedly, it would mean a problem with the USB port.

Any pop-ups with messages of error or failure mean a disturbance with the USB device and a problematic USB port.

no power to device

If the attached device has an LED light and does not light up upon connection with the laptop, it is safe to assume the USB port might be faulty.

If the USB plug feels like it does not sit right within the port, with the port being either too tight or too loose for the plug, it would mean the problem lies within the laptop port.

The most sure-fire symptom that gives away an issue with the USB port is that the USB device works just fine in other USB ports. Such circumstances only suggest an issue with a specific port, not the device.

There might also be other signs like overheating of the port, slow data transfer speeds, weird sounds from the port, etc. All these problems hint at a faulty USB port rather than the USB device. At the first sight of any of these, the attention must be focused on fixing the USB port.

The Whys And The How-Tos?

The question that pops into the mind at the first sign of malfunction is always ‘why?”. Until we get to the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the breakdown, it might be impossible to cure the problem; here are a few common reasons for USB port malfunctions and how to fix each.

Physical demage

Yanking USB devices out of the USB port and repeatedly inserting and removing devices causes damage to the laptop USB port.

How To Fix It?

If there is a minor bent, try bringing it back to its place with minimum force. Avoid using heavy tools. If the damage is severe, take your laptop to a professional repair service to get the port replaced.

Dust or small particles get into the USB port and accumulate inside to disrupt the connection between the device and the port.

How To Fix It?

Use a small vacuum or suction device to blow out the stuck debris gently. You can also use a cloth, cotton bud, or a small brush to clean the port thoroughly. In any case, sharp objects must not be used to avoid causing trauma to the port.

Before moving on to more complex problems, there is always a chance that the problem stems from something within the laptop that the laptop itself can fix. The Windows laptops come built-in with troubleshooting options that can be employed in this situation.

How To Fix It?

  1. Try restarting the laptop. Most minor glitches resolve automatically with simple restarts.
  2. If the problem persists, go to the Control Panel.
  3. Click Hardware and Sound and then Hardware and Devices.
  4. Click Next and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

An outdated or corrupt driver may be incompatible with the USB device and cause a malfunction in the port.

How To Fix It?

  1. Go to the Control Panel or simply type ‘Device Manager’ in the search box in the taskbar.
  2. Open Device Manager.
  3. Find the USB controllers section, and look for driver updates.
  4. If no updates are present, right-click on the problematic USB driver and click Uninstall.
  5. Restart the laptop, and Windows will automatically reinstall a driver that is new and compatible with your laptop.

Laptops sometimes disable USB ports to conserve power in low battery or power-saver modes. This can prevent the port from working properly.

How To Fix It?

To troubleshoot power management problems,

  1. Go to the Control Panel on your laptop.
  2. Open Device Manager and find the USB Root Hub.
  3. Right-click on it, and open Properties.
  4. Navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.’
  5. Repeat the steps for all USB Root Hub entries. 

hardware issues

Internal hardware issues like motherboard failures can lead to a breakdown of the USB port.

How To Fix It?

In case of an internal problem, the laptop must be taken to a professional technician to diagnose and replace faulty components properly. Do not attempt to fix it at home; it requires expertise and specialized tools.

Other than hardware, softwares can also be the reason behind a faulty USB port. Some antivirus programs or security tools can also disrupt the USB port from connecting to the USB device.

How To Fix It?

  1. If you identify a software problem, temporarily disable the installed software, especially antivirus programs.
  2. Check if the ports work after the software has been disabled. If it does, change the software settings to prevent it from causing hindrance in the future.

Conclusion

To sum it up, USB port troubleshooting must begin with the easiest steps, like restarting the laptop and blowing off dust from the ports. After that, identify other possible malfunction causes and troubleshoot accordingly. In cases of more severe issues, consult a technician. Immediate attention must be given to the malfunction to restore your laptop to its complete glory.

Let us know in the comments if you had a similar experience with your USB port, and share how you resolved it.