USB ports suddenly stopping on a Windows laptop is a common and frustrating problem. Your mouse doesn’t work, external drives don’t show up, or your phone refuses to charge. The good news is that in most cases, this issue is software-related, not a dead port.
Below are practical fixes, starting from the simplest to more advanced ones.
Check If the Problem Is the Device or the Port
Before touching Windows settings:
- Try a different USB device in the same port
- Try the same device in another USB port
- Test the device on another computer
If the device works elsewhere, the problem is your laptop. If not, the device or cable is likely faulty.
Power management issues that affect USB ports can also drain your battery faster than expected.
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Restart Windows (Properly)
This sounds basic, but do it correctly:
- Shut down the laptop completely
- Unplug the charger
- Wait 30 seconds
- Turn it back on
This clears temporary USB controller glitches that sleep or hibernation can cause.
Disable and Re-Enable USB Controllers
Windows sometimes fails to wake USB controllers properly.
Steps:
- Right-click Start → Device Manager
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
- Right-click each USB Root Hub → Disable
- Restart the laptop
Windows will automatically reinstall them on boot.
Turn Off USB Power Saving
Power-saving features often break USB functionality.
Steps:
- Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus controllers
- Right-click USB Root Hub → Properties
- Go to Power Management
- Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
- Click OK and restart
Repeat for all USB Root Hubs.
Update or Reinstall USB Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a frequent cause.
- In Device Manager, right-click each USB controller → Update driver
- If that fails, choose Uninstall device, then restart
Windows will reinstall clean drivers automatically.
Check for Windows Updates
Some USB issues are caused by buggy Windows updates — and fixed by newer ones.
- Go to Settings → Windows Update
- Install all pending updates
- Restart after completion
When It Might Be a Hardware Issue
If:
- No USB device works on any port
- Ports feel loose
- USB stopped working after liquid exposure
Then the issue may be physical. External USB hubs or professional repair may be required.
Overheating can sometimes cause USB ports to shut down temporarily to protect the hardware.
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Final Tip
If USB problems happen after sleep or hibernation, disabling fast startup often helps.
