How to Fix Windows Not Recognizing a USB Device

USB is the most common type of connector used to attach peripherals to computers. Whether you have a wired or wireless peripheral, chances are they use this type of connector.

The majority are Plug and Play which means they will be recognized by Windows as soon as you plug them into the computer and you can use them right away. Others might require software or drivers to be installed on the computer before plugging them in.

The requirement to install software or drivers varies by manufacturer and device model. Refer to your peripherals documentation to find out if this is necessary.

The drivers may come with the peripheral on a disc or you can download them from the manufacturers website.

Method 1:

1. Insert the disc that came with your device into the computer.
2. You may get a pop-up on the screen asking you what you want to do with the contents of the disc. Choose the option that allows you to install or run the software from the disc.
   
3. If you don't get this pop-up, click on the Windows button on the bottom left corner of the screen, then click on File Explorer or its icon.
   
4. In the File Explorer, look for the disc drive and double click it to open its contents.
   
5. Look for the Setup or Install file and launch it, then follow the instructions to install the drivers onto the computer.

Method 2:

1. Open a web browser on your computer.
2. Navigate to the manufacturers website.
3. Look for the Support heading on the website and click on it.
   
4. The place where the drivers can be downloaded from varies by how the manufacturers website is designed. Sometimes you can find them under the Downloads section, other times under Software or under Drivers, or even a combination of these words.
5. You can either find the needed drivers by typing in the peripherals name and model in the search field like in the image above or you can find them by clicking through the categories of devices like in the image below.
   
6. Once you've located the driver for your device, click to download it and save it onto your computer.
7. Launch the downloaded driver and follow the instructions to install it on the computer.

1. Plug in the power cable into the USB device (middle).
2. Plug in the included power cable / adapter into a power outlet.
3. Plug in one end of the USB cable into the USB device.
4. Plug in the other end of the USB cable into the computer.

1. Connect your USB device into the USB port.
   
   
   
2. Windows will automatically recognize the device and set it up for you.
   

If Windows does not detect the device when plugged in, plug the device into a different USB port to see if Windows is able to recognize it.

Before your restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

• Using the Mouse

  1. Select the Start menu.
     
     

     By default it is in the lower left corner of your screen.

  2. Select Power, then select Restart.
     

• Using the Keyboard

  1. Press the Windows and X keys at the same time. This minimizes any open windows you may have.
     
  2. Press the Alt and F4 keys at the same time. This tells Windows to close the desktop.
     
  3. Select Restart, then OK.
     

To restart your device via power cycle:

1. If your device has buttons or a remote control, press the power button to turn it off.
   
2. Unplug it from the power outlet and wait for 10 seconds.
   
3. Plug it back into the power outlet, then turn it back on from the power button if it has on.

Remove the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to your computer.

1. Connect your USB device into the USB port.
   
   
   
2. Windows will automatically recognize the device and set it up for you.
   

If Windows does not detect the device when plugged in, plug the device into a different USB port to see if Windows is able to recognize it.

Before your restart or shut down your PC, make sure to save all necessary work to prevent data loss.

• Using the Mouse

  1. Select the Start menu.
     
     

     By default it is in the lower left corner of your screen.

  2. Select Power, then select Restart.
     

• Using the Keyboard

  1. Press the Windows and X keys at the same time. This minimizes any open windows you may have.
     
  2. Press the Alt and F4 keys at the same time. This tells Windows to close the desktop.
     
  3. Select Restart, then OK.
     

To restart your device via power cycle:

1. If your device has buttons or a remote control, press the power button to turn it off.
   
2. Unplug it from the power outlet and wait for 10 seconds.
   
3. Plug it back into the power outlet, then turn it back on from the power button if it has on.

Remove the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to your computer.

If you have a non-powered USB hub connected to a USB port on your computer, and your USB device doesn't get enough power to be detected, then you can try the following:

• Reduce the number of devices connected to the USB hub.
• Bypass the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to the computer.
• Replace the non-powered USB hub with a powered USB hub.