USB ports are an important component of any computer, providing a convenient way to connect a wide range of devices. However, it can be frustrating when your USB ports stop working on your PC. Whether you’re unable to connect your keyboard, mouse, or external storage devices, this issue can disrupt your workflow and hinder your productivity.
There are several common causes for this issue, including loose connections, faulty ports, outdated or corrupted drivers, power management settings, hardware conflicts, and more. In this guide, we will explore the major reasons why USB ports may not be working on Windows 11 and provide you with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to fix this problem. By following these instructions, you can regain the functionality of your USB ports and ensure seamless connectivity for all your USB devices.
How to Fix USB Ports Not Working on Windows 11
There are a number of solutions to resolve the issue of USB ports not working on Windows 11. Here, we will cover the most effective solution that will help you fix the USB ports not working on your Windows system.
1. Check USB Connections
Ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the device and the computer. Try unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable to ensure a proper connection.
If possible, test the USB device on another computer to verify if the issue is with the device or the USB port.
If your USB device is working fine, then most probably the issue is with the USB port. Due to time and constant use, sometimes the USB port gets dislodged from the board and becomes loose.
2. Try Different USB Port
Test the USB device on different ports to determine if the issue is specific to a particular port. Additionally, check for dust. It’s possible that dirt, dust, and other debris have accumulated in the port, which can affect both laptop and desktop computers alike.
Clean the port or try connecting it to a different USB port on your computer. If your computer has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, try using a different type of port. Check if the USB device is detected and working in the new port.
3. Try Replacing your USB Device
If your USB ports seem clean and nothing is wrong with the ports. You can try connecting a different USB device to check if the problem lies with the device itself. If you have another USB device available, such as a different keyboard or mouse, try connecting it to the USB port to see if it works.
If the new device works, it indicates that the original USB device may be faulty and needs to be replaced. After you have checked the physical hardware and it seems fine then you can try out a software solution to fix USB ports not working on Windows PC.
4. Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
Use the built-in Hardware and Device Troubleshooter tool to automatically detect and fix any issues with your USB ports. However, hardware troubleshooters have been moved from the Windows Settings but there is a way to access it using the Command Prompt.
Here’s how you can run Troubleshooter:
1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type cmd in the search box. Run Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Now, copy and paste the following command into the command prompt and hit Enter.
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
3. Windows Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter screen will now load. Click on Next to continue.
4. The troubleshooter will now run and look for possible fixes. Once it is done scanning your PC it will suggest you possible fixes.
5. In our condition, Windows updated the drivers. Now, by clicking on the Apply this fix option, Windows will automatically restart and apply the fixes.
This way the troubleshooter will attempt to detect and fix any issues related to your USB ports and connected devices. Now, check if you are still facing the same issue.
5. Restart Your PC
Sometimes a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches and restore functionality to your USB ports. So, before trying other solutions try to restart your Windows system.
Here’s how to restart your Windows PC:
1. Save any open files and close all applications.
2. Click on the Start button, select the Power icon, and choose Restart from the menu.
Allow your computer to restart and check if the USB ports are working properly after the restart.
6. Update Windows
Make sure that your Windows 11 operating system is up to date, as updates often include fixes for various bugs and issues. Also, this will install and update the missing driver for the USB ports to work.
Follow these steps to update your Windows to the latest version:
1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings window.
2. Click on Windows Update from the left-hand side menu. Then, click on the Check for updates button and allow Windows to search for available updates.
3. If any updates are found, click on the Download & Install buttons to update your system to the latest version.
After the update is complete, restart your computer and check if the USB ports are functioning correctly.
7. Scan for Hardware Changes
If you have recently upgraded your system hardware or changed some hardware, then you may also face the issue of USB ports not working on Windows. To fix it, you can use the Device Manager to scan for hardware changes, which can help in re-detecting and reactivating USB ports.
Here are the steps to Scan for any Hardware changes on your PC:
1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the power menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category.
3. Right-click on each USB device and select Uninstall device from the context menu.
4. Once all USB devices are uninstalled, click on the Action menu at the top and select the Scan for Hardware Changes option.
Windows will automatically detect and reinstall the USB devices, potentially resolving any driver-related issues. Additionally, from the same settings window, you can also update the USB drivers.
8. Update USB Drivers
After you have uninstalled and scanned for hardware changes, you can manually update the USB drivers to ensure they are properly installed to the updated version of the driver.
To update your PC USB drivers follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Now, expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category. Right-click on the USB Driver, you want to update.
3. Click on the Update option to install it.
After that, simply restart your Windows PC to apply the changes then check for the USB port working.
9. Change Power Management settings
Sometimes, power management settings can lead to these issues, particularly on Windows laptops. Enabling battery-saving mode on your device may conserve battery power, causing the USB ports to stop working properly in order to save the battery.
To fix it, you can adjust the power management settings to prevent Windows from turning off the USB ports. For that, follow these steps for same:
1. Press Win + X to open the power menu and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers category. Then, right-click on the first USB device and select Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, go to the Power Management tab.
4. Here, uncheck the box that says Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click OK. This will override the power settings on your system. Now, even if you enable the battery-saver mode, the USB device will work fine.
5. Repeat this step for all USB devices listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
6. After that, restart your PC and check if the USB is now working fine or not.
10. Disable the USB Selective Suspend Power Option
After managing the power management of the USB drive, if you are still facing the same issues, then try disabling the USB Selective Suspend Power Option. This can help resolve power-related issues with USB ports.
To do so, follow these steps to disable this option on your PC:
1. Click on the Start Menu and type Control Panel. From the search results click on the top result.
2. It will open the Control Panel settings. Here, click on Hardware and Sound.
3. After that, click on Power Options.
4. In the Power Options window, click on the Change Plan Settings option. In the next window, you will get the option to select your power plan.
5. Click on the Change advanced power settings option.
6. Scroll down to the USB settings section and expand it. Then, expand the USB selective suspend setting option.
7. Set both On battery and Plugged into Disabled.
8. After that, click on the Apply button to apply the changes and then click on the OK button to close the windows.
11. Run SFC and DISM Scan
You can also perform a System File Checker (SFC) scan and a Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan to check for and repair any corrupted system files.
Here’s how you can run SFC and DISM scans:
1. Press the Windows key and search for Windows PowerShell. From the search results run it as administrator.
2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter to execute the command.
sfc /scannow
3. Now, wait for the system file checker to scan and repair any corrupted system files.
4. Once the scan is complete, run the below command and press Enter.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Allow the DISM scan to run and repair any issues with the system image. Restart your PC after both scans are complete.
12. Perform System Restore
If all else fails, you can use the System Restore feature to revert your computer’s settings to a previous working state.
Follow these steps to perform a complete System restore:
1. Click on the Search option present on the taskbar and search for System Restore. From the search results click on Create a restore point to open it.
2. It will open the System Properties window. Here, select System Protection and click on the System Restore button.
3. In the System Restore window, click on Next to proceed.
4. Now, select a restore point that was created before the USB ports stopped working and click the Next button.
5. Click Finish to start the system restore process. After that, Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore.
6. After the restore is finished, your computer will restart, and the USB ports should be functioning properly.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix issues with USB ports not working on Windows 11. We hope this guide helped to bring your USB ports back to a working state. However, if you are still facing the issue then let us know in the comments.
