How to Fix USB Ports Not Working in Windows 11

Fix USB ports that are not working in Windows 11 by restarting your PC, testing another port and cable, and connecting the accessory directly before changing drivers or power settings. Test the device after each change so you can stop when the connection works. If a port has bent pins or other visible damage, arrange a repair assessment.

Restart and isolate the connection

Save your work, disconnect USB accessories, then right-click Start and select Shut down or sign out > Restart. Reconnect devices one at a time and test after each connection. If Windows is frozen, follow the steps to restart an unresponsive computer before continuing.

Move the affected accessory to another USB port, including a USB 2.0 or USB 3.x port when your PC has both. Replace a detachable cable with a working cable, then test the accessory on another computer. If it also fails elsewhere, contact its manufacturer; if it works elsewhere, continue checking the original PC and connection.

Bypass any USB hub or docking station and connect directly to the computer. If that works, investigate the hub, dock, or its power supply before changing Windows settings. Disconnect the accessory again and inspect its plug and the PC’s port for debris or damage.

Remove debris with an upright compressed-air can using short bursts. If you find bent pins or a damaged port, stop using that connection and arrange a repair assessment.

Check USB power and compatibility

Connect the accessory’s external power supply when it has one, plug the PC into AC power, and disconnect unused USB devices. Retest with only the affected accessory connected. For a device whose power requirements exceed the port’s supply, connect a compatible powered USB hub to its AC adapter and wall outlet, connect it to the PC, then attach the accessory.

If you see a power-surge notification, disconnect USB devices and select Reset on the notification, if available. Restart the PC before reconnecting the accessory. If the notification has no Reset button, continue with the restart and connection checks.

For USB-C accessories, match both the cable and the port to the required USB4, Thunderbolt, or DisplayPort capabilities. Connect directly, and use the manufacturer’s cable or a certified USB4 cable for USB4 devices. If the connection lacks the required capabilities, change to a compatible port and cable.

When the PC itself will not charge over USB-C, use its supplied charger and cable in a port that supports charging the PC. If an analog USB-C audio adapter is unsupported, replace it with a compatible digital USB-C audio adapter.

Install Windows and hardware updates

Open Start > Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install offered updates and restart when requested, then test the USB device again. If updates fail to install, run the Windows Update troubleshooter before returning to USB troubleshooting.

Next, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options and turn on Receive updates for other Microsoft products. Open Optional updates, select applicable driver updates, then select Download and install. Restart afterward; the available drivers depend on your hardware.

Some printers and scanners require their manufacturer’s software before you connect the USB cable. Follow the accessory’s installation instructions, including that order when required. If updates and the required software do not help, inspect the affected device next.

Check and repair the affected device driver

Right-click Start, open Device Manager, then right-click the affected device and select Properties. Read Device status and note any error code so you can follow Microsoft’s instructions for that code. Under Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click a disabled device and select Enable device.

To refresh detection, select Action > Scan for hardware changes. For a driver update, right-click the affected device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. Retest after Windows finishes.

If automatic updating does not help, download the correct Windows 11 driver for the exact device and processor architecture from its manufacturer, then extract it if necessary. In Device Manager, right-click the device, select Update driver, then select Browse my computer for drivers and choose Browse.... Select the extracted folder, choose OK > Next > Close, and follow the package’s installation instructions.

When the failure began immediately after a driver update, open the device’s Properties > Driver and select Roll Back Driver. Choose a reason, select Yes, and restart if prompted. This requires an administrator account and an available previous driver; otherwise, try reinstalling the affected peripheral.

Right-click that peripheral, select Uninstall device, then select Uninstall and restart Windows to attempt automatic reinstallation. Some peripherals need their manufacturer’s installer afterward. Test the accessory again before removing hubs or controllers.

On ASUS PCs, ASUS also recommends reinstalling USB root hubs and host controllers for persistent failures. Removing these can temporarily stop USB input, so account for that before proceeding. Disconnect USB accessories, open Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB Root Hub, select Uninstall device, confirm with Uninstall, then restart.

If the problem persists, repeat that process for each USB host controller under Universal Serial Bus controllers, then restart; controller names vary. On ASUS USB4 systems, you can also disconnect accessories, locate USB4 Root Device Router, right-click it, select Uninstall device, confirm with Uninstall, and restart.

Test power settings for sleep and startup failures

For a connection that fails after sleep, open the affected USB hub’s Properties in Device Manager, then open Power Management. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, select OK, and test again. If the tab is absent, skip this test; restore the checkbox if the change makes no difference.

For a separate temporary test, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings. Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting, set On battery and Plugged in to Disabled where available, then select Apply > OK and restart. Skip this method when those controls are absent.

Restore USB selective suspend setting to Enabled after an unsuccessful test. Microsoft recommends keeping selective suspend enabled during normal operation, so treat disabling it as a temporary diagnostic step.

If the problem follows shutdown and startup, open Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) and select Save changes, then test another shutdown and startup. Skip this option if your PC does not expose it.

Fix accessories that Windows already detects

A USB drive missing from File Explorer may need a drive letter. Right-click Start, open Disk Management, then right-click the accessible external volume and select Change Drive Letter and Paths > Add. Select Assign the following drive letter, choose an unused letter, select OK, and confirm with Yes when requested.

For a disk marked Offline, right-click it and select Online. Only for a genuinely new, empty disk requiring preparation, select Initialize Disk > OK, then select New Simple Volume on empty unallocated space and complete the wizard. Do not initialize or format a drive to recover existing files.

For a detected webcam, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, then turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera. Enable the relevant Store app, or turn on Let desktop apps access your camera for desktop software.

For a detected USB microphone, open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, then turn on Microphone access and Let apps access your microphone. Enable the relevant Store app, or turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone for desktop software. Continue with troubleshooting microphone access and sound if recording still fails.

For USB speakers or a headset, open Settings > System > Sound and select the USB device under Output. To enable a disabled audio endpoint, open More sound settings, choose Playback or Recording, open the device’s Properties, and set Device usage to Use this device (enable).

If the accessory still fails, open Get Help and request the audio, camera, or printer troubleshooter that matches your device. Select Start when offered and select Yes if diagnostic consent is requested. Microsoft has retired the old Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Check manufacturer firmware and hardware diagnostics

For persistent failures across several ports, check your manufacturer’s driver and firmware updates. On Dell PCs, open SupportAssist > Home > Update software > Start, install applicable driver and BIOS updates, and restart as requested.

On ASUS PCs, open MyASUS > System Update, select applicable packages, then select Update selected items and check Update History afterward. On Surface devices, open Surface > Help & support, select Check for updates when updates are offered, and install them through Windows Update.

USB ports can also be disabled in firmware on applicable Dell systems. To open your PC’s BIOS settings through Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now and confirm Restart now. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.

On applicable Dell models, open Integrated Devices > USB Thunderbolt Configuration, check Enable External USB Ports, select Apply Changes, then exit and select OK. Older Dell layouts use System Configuration > USB Configuration. Follow your model’s firmware instructions if these controls are absent.

To run a Dell USB hardware test, open SupportAssist > Support. Expand I want to troubleshoot my PC, select I want to check a specific piece of hardware, then select USB Ports and complete the test. Record diagnostic errors and arrange a repair assessment if the test identifies a hardware failure.

Repair Windows when hardware checks pass

If USB stopped working after a recent Windows update, open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Find the update associated with the failure and select Uninstall. Use this option when the failure is tied to that update.

For suspected Windows component corruption, search for Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, and select Yes. Run this command first:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

After it completes successfully, run the following command. Wait for the scan to finish before testing USB again.

sfc /scannow

Eligible PCs can repair Windows while preserving apps and files through Settings > System > Recovery. Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now, leave the optional automatic-restart checkbox unchanged, and select OK. Keep internet and power connected, then restart after installation.

If that option is absent or the repair fails, review how to reinstall Windows and choose what stays before selecting a more disruptive recovery method. Before a reset, back up files and obtain your BitLocker recovery key if applicable. Open Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC, then select Keep my files to retain personal files or select Remove everything to remove them.

Choose Cloud download or Local reinstall and complete the reset prompts. Even if you select Keep my files, the reset removes installed apps and settings. If the port is damaged or hardware diagnostics fail, contact the PC manufacturer for repair; reinstalling Windows cannot fix a hardware fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Android phone charge over USB but not transfer files?

Unlock the phone and connect it with a data-capable USB cable. Tap Charging this device via USB, then under Use USB for, select File transfer. The wording can vary by phone manufacturer.

What should I do when Windows does not recognize my iPhone?

Open Apple Devices on Windows and connect your unlocked iPhone with a data-capable USB cable. When Trust This Computer? appears on the phone, tap Trust. If the prompt is missing or your response fails, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy, then reconnect and respond to the trust prompt.

Can USB 3.x devices interfere with a wireless mouse or keyboard?

USB 3.x interference can affect your wireless USB receiver. Separate the receiver from USB 3.x devices and place it closer to the mouse or keyboard. A USB extension cable can move the receiver away from the USB 3.x port.

Why does my USB keyboard work in Windows but fail in recovery?

If your PC runs Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2, a regression after KB5066835 could explain USB input failing only in the recovery environment. Microsoft fixed that issue in KB5070773 and later updates. Install current cumulative updates through Windows Update if your installation has that problem.

Is there a Windows issue affecting only USB audio devices?

Your USB Audio Class 1.0 device could be affected by a Windows issue involving Code 10, silence, or multichannel audio problems. Microsoft’s September 14, 2026 and later updates address the eight-channel and 3D audio symptoms; as of October 16, 2026, other symptoms remain under investigation. Install the latest offered Windows updates.