Ask Leo! by Leo A. Notenboom

Why won't my system recognize my USB device?

Search First! Then browse: Categories | Full Archive | By Date | Newsletter

Home » Hardware

Summary: We go over some quick fixes to make sure your system recognizes USB devices.

I have a problem with my USB ports. Say I plug in my digital camera to upload some pictures to the tower or plug in my iPod to put music on it, my system won't recognize that they are plugged into the USB port unless I restart the entire system. This can get very annoying having to restart the computer every time I want to upload pictures, use my webcam, put music on my iPod etc. I have asked many of my friends if they have the same problem with their USB ports, but they don't. My system won't recognize anything that is connected into USB unless the system is restarted.

USB is great when it works, but as you're experiencing, it can still be a pain when it doesn't.

USB's really only been around for a few years, and while most of the kinks have been worked out, not all of them have. Especially if you're on an older machine or operating system version.

Since I don't have the specific configuration of your system, I can only make some general suggestions. USB functionality can be affected by many, many things.

"USB functionality can be affected by many, many things."
  • Make certain that your version of Windows is up to date by visiting Windows Update. There have been updates to the USB support in almost every version of Windows, especially the 9x and Me versions.
  • Make certain that your system BIOS is up to date. BIOS support is an important part of USB support, and just like the operating system, there have been updates. Exactly where and how to get an updated BIOS will vary depending on the manufacturer of your computer - check with them.
  • Make certain that your USB hardware drivers are up to date. The drivers are the hardware-specific interface between Windows and the USB ports. Getting updates to these drivers will depend on the manufacturer of your computer, or the manufacturer of your USB port add-in if the USB ports are on an expansion card, so you'll need to check with them.
  • If you're running Windows XP, run the system file checker to ensure that Windows itself is not damaged: What is the System File Checker, and how do I run it?.
  • An up-to-date spyware and virus scan wouldn't hurt either.
  • If any software came with the devices you're having trouble with, make sure that's up to date, and installed properly.

The problem is that any or all of the above items could possibly impact your USB problems.

Related:

Article C2445 - October 26, 2005

Helpful? Get new articles weekly by email in my FREE newsletter!

Your Name:
Your Email:


Why Subscribe?

Recent Comments
42 Comments

When I plug something into the USB ports it does'nt show up in "Computer" I don't know how else to open the information other than through "computer" and since it doesn't show that anything is plugged in I don't know what to do. I have a USB microphone and the recording software still picks it up in at least one port but it's not recoginized anywhere else. Thanks.

Posted by: Mary Ann at April 25, 2009 10:45 AM

My laptop HP G6000 used to know my sony ericsson and i could upload photo's fine but i think i did something in my media player on my computer because it dosent know my phone any more and i dont know what to do, please help me leo!!

Posted by: Lisa at May 3, 2009 8:06 AM

Most excellent information utilizing Computer Management & assigning drive letters to specific storage devices, in this case Kingston USB jump drives. I had letters up to Z filled having partitions & external drive but was allowed to add A & B. Great work around idea, thanks.

Posted by: Robert at May 4, 2009 10:47 AM

i bought an ext hdd (western digital - scorpio blue 160G) but my pc can't detect the hdd. i got 2 pc one run P3 & one run P4 , i've tried on both pc.on the P3 pc fine but on P4 pc it can't detect the hdd.i'm confuse. i've tried the P4 pc with every usb device(thumb drive,digital camera, card reader etc.) & it runs ok but not the ext hdd i've just bought.
when i plug in the hdd got that normal sound detecting any usb device but in my computer there's no sign of it. i open device manager there's a yellow icon stated unknown device.

Posted by: redfred at May 9, 2009 7:31 PM

i installed an oiusbf family kernel on my mac and now my all of my usb ports r locked my keyboard doesnt even respond can anyone help!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: paul neira at May 14, 2009 11:50 AM

I've had to deal with a lot is the USB storage drives (eg pen drives) that start giving the 'device not recognized' error message.

One trick to try when ALL else has failed, is to
open up the casing the drive is held in.

An awful lot I have retrieved data from, the fault has been the solder on connectors worn off, or snapped or the like.

Manually holding it in the right place, requiring a fair bit of patience to get it just right, will often be recognised as a USB drive, and allow me to rescue the information.

I'd stress to try it on more than one computer before trying this.

Posted by: Paul at May 19, 2009 3:58 AM

ok so i bought my LG KS3360 7 months ago, it came with a lead to put files onto my computer from my phone but i lost that lead, so i bought a new one and everytime i plug the USB cable in, it says "USB device not recognized" and it keeps making the "connected" noise and then dissconects straight away.. whats up with it?

Posted by: Toni halliday at May 28, 2009 5:49 AM

I'm trying to help my brother fix his Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo laptop running Windows Vista. One day out of the blue, his mouse stopped working, also noticed no access to external drive. On testing NO devices would work on ANY USB connection. (tested them in other computers and they work) In the devices area WVista says all usbs Hubs are working fine and the drivers are up-to-date. However when you plug something in (say a mouse or a drive) it comes up with the message that it is an UNKNOWN device. If you follow through to 'fix' the problem it says all the latest drivers are installed. In short, windows wont let you fix it because it says there is no problem.
On instpection I did find that there were NO USB keys AT ALL (Is this usual?) in the registry under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\" whereas on my own laptop there are many entries there. In fact there are NO entries at all USB or otherwise in the services area!

So to continue in this fix:
1. are there supposed to be at least ONE or more entries in this reg key?
2. is there a downloadable fix fot this?
3. Failing that, how can I edit his registry to enter new keys and give the correct values? I tried importing my exported keys for that services area and Windows wont let me import it into his registry. (well it does but then it says some weren't entered because they were in use - in fact NONE are entered)

Working on this for over a week now - all help appreciated.
Oh by the way I've cleanly re-installed windows Vista (using FujSiem recovery installation disks)TWICE which did it's own online update from windows in the process - still no usb devices recognised (although as I said, the Devices section says the ports are OK)

Posted by: Brendan at June 25, 2009 6:52 AM

when i try to hook my phone to the laptop with a usb cable it just makes the sound but doesn't show up in my computer

Posted by: kingsly123 at June 26, 2009 8:14 PM

I wish re-booting would fix my problem.
My mouse and GPS connect OK to the USB ports, but my printer, memory stick, 7 port hub and iphone do not.
All connected ok, but for some reason, only mouse and GPS connect OK now.
Why has this happened?

Posted by: Colin at June 29, 2009 8:09 PM

Post a comment on "Why won't my system recognize my USB device?":






(Email Address will not be published.)

Remember Me?

By popular demand...
my tip jar
Cuppa Joe
Buy Leo a Latte!

(you may use HTML tags for style)

RSS feed Subscribe to the RSS Feed specifically for comments on this article.

Before commenting, please...

Please wait. Your comment is being processed ...


Question? Ask Leo!