How to Fix a USB Port That Is Not Working

Fix unresponsive USB ports with step-by-step troubleshooting. Check hardware connections, update drivers, and reset USB controllers.

1. Test the USB device in other ports. Connect your USB device to different ports on your computer. Try both front panel and rear ports if available. If the device works in other ports, the problem is isolated to that specific port. If it doesn't work anywhere, the issue is with the device itself.
2. Check Device Manager for driver issues. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Look for devices with yellow warning triangles or red X marks. Right-click any problematic entries and select Update driver, then choose Search automatically for drivers.
3. Disable USB selective suspend. Open Control Panel and go to Power Options. Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan, then click Change advanced power settings. Expand USB settings, then USB selective suspend setting. Set both On battery and Plugged in to Disabled. Click Apply and OK.
4. Reset the USB hub controller. In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right-click each USB Host Controller and Generic USB Hub entry and select Uninstall device. Do not check the box to delete driver software. Restart your computer to automatically reinstall the USB controllers.
5. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Press Windows key + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter. Click Advanced and check Apply repairs automatically. Click Next to run the troubleshooter. Follow any recommended actions that appear.
6. Check for physical damage or debris. Shut down your computer and inspect the USB port with a flashlight. Look for bent pins, debris, or corrosion. Use compressed air to blow out dust and debris. For desktop computers, ensure internal USB header cables are properly connected to the motherboard.
7. Update chipset and motherboard drivers. Visit your computer manufacturer's website or motherboard manufacturer's support page. Download and install the latest chipset drivers for your specific model. Restart your computer after installation to ensure proper USB controller functionality.