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Why won't my system recognize my USB device?

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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 wont 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 wont 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 9337 | Posted October 26, 2005

Recent Comments
107 Comments

Hi I need some advise. I was using my computer I got an error message saying that the usb devise could not be recognize. I unplug the us mouse and plug it back in but the same thing. I am using window vista x64. The computer then crash and it went dead. I try to power it up but I had no luck. I then unplug the power cord at the back try to turn it on and the cpu fan spin. Since then the computer is still not powering up.

Posted by: DJ at July 8, 2008 6:35 PM

I came to this post trying to fix a problem with USB devices not loading. After loading Windows XP on another hard drive and having the same problem, I tried the BIOS update. Toshiba Laptop! the BIOS update corrected the problem

Posted by: Richard White at July 23, 2008 1:05 PM

my problem is my computer reads some usb devices not all i bought a usb card reader but it wont read it but it would read my flash drive. but not all of them i have at work, is the problem that my computer everything is connected with serial cables.

Posted by: dee at August 5, 2008 6:48 AM

hi, my problem is dat , i've installed my webcam cos i use to use it b4......but now anytime i connect my hercules webcam it's always showing webcam not connected or usb non recognised....but now i've bought anoda cam and i installed it wit the installation cd and my computer is still showing me the same thing , it shows "a problem occured when installing it and dat's y it's not woking correctly........
so plz peep i need ur help urgently.....pls
God bless

Posted by: rachl at August 13, 2008 5:23 AM

Hi, I got Acer 3050-1118 with Windows Vista OS installed. I been using it well for a few months then suddelenly it stops recognizing my USB devices (mouse, keyboard, cam etc.) I formatted my laptop and install windows XP. But still my system doesnt recognize my USB. Help please! Thanks in advance.

Posted by: Eleina at August 15, 2008 11:28 AM

Hi,

I have a relatively new hp desktop computer and i have never had any problems with the usb ports and have used a 32mb lexar media jump drive for a few months. recently i bought a 4gb sandisk usb drive and the computer wont recognise it fully. it will make the beep sound when it is plugged in just the same as the lexar media drive, but i cant seem to find it anywhere else. it is not in any of the drives(I,J,H,etc...). please, is there somewhere i am forgetting to look?

Posted by: brig at September 11, 2008 6:02 PM

i have a XW6600 (Hp workstation) i have 2 hdd and 2 dvd write already use up my 4 letter .i have map 7 drive . Now total letter use in my pc is 11 letter.When i plug in tumb drive sometimes can detect sometimes cannot because the letter comflict . When i change the letter manually all drive working fine . Is there anyone can help so that people give me ext hdd or tumb drive wont confilct and i not need to change letter manually? PLZ help

Posted by: bun at September 22, 2008 1:08 AM

my laptop wont recognise my username and password for my e-mail account.

Posted by: john anderson at October 20, 2008 5:43 AM

My computer won't recognize any USB devices pluggest into it, except my HP UBS Mouse. My iPod won't charge, my digital camera won't upload pictures unless the memory card is inserted directly, and even pen drives won't read. I'm confused as to why the mouse is working, could it be the sorce of the problem?

Posted by: Louise at October 22, 2008 12:19 PM

Hey i have a question my usb the other day started acting funny. Every time it is plugged in in shows it as a folder (G drive). It is not accessible only when i search it i can access it. I tied formatting it i don't know whats wrong. ( Ive had it for a year)

Posted by: Ahmad at November 23, 2008 10:37 PM

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