What To Do If Your USB Port Stops Working
Are you using the wireless mouse? Has it stopped working? Are you no longer able to use your mouse? Is your laptop stopped charging? Do you think that your laptop’s USB port has some issues?
If you think that your laptop USB port is showing some error or not working properly and you are searching for ways to fix this issue then you are on the right page. We will discuss some ways to narrow down and fix the problem.
USB port is a very important component of a laptop, in the modern era of technology wireless mousses are used with the help of USB port. USB is inserted in the USB port which is linked to the wireless mouse. And if there is any issue in that port then you might not be able to use the mouse and you have to use the touchpad of a laptop or a wired mouse with the computer.
USB port is not just for the USB or for a mouse that port is used for many purposes like hooking up a headset, or printer, trying to sync your MP3 player or even your smartphone. And you are expecting your USB devices to work properly whenever you plug them in.
That’s the most amazing beauty and simplicity of USB, which is basically designed to allow devices to be connected and disconnected at will.
In this article, we are going to discuss what are the main causes of the USB port not working and what can be possibly fixed to fix this issue. Whenever your wireless mouse or flash drive is not working, users always think that it might be because of the device, or there must be some fault in it but they don’t think that it might be because of any defect in the USB port. Because Devices can be corrupted but having issues with USB ports is not very common.
What Is USB Port?
A USB port is a standard cable connection interface for personal computers and consumers’ electronic devices. USB has its own full form which is known as Universal Serial Bus, an industry standard for short-distance digital data communication.
USB ports allow USB devices to be connected to each other and transfer digital data over USB cables. They can also supply electric power across the cable to devices that need it.
Both wired and wireless versions of USB standards exist, although only the wired version involves USB ports and cables.
What Can You Plug Into A USB Port?
Many types of consumer electronics support USB interfaces. These types of equipment are most commonly used for computer networking:
- USB network adapters
- USB broadband and cellular modems for internet access
- USB printer to be shared on a home network
Transferring files from one computer to another can also be done with the help of a USB drive without a network. USB drives are also used to copy files between two devices.
Types Of USB Ports
There are basically some major types of physical layouts that exist for USB ports which are as follows:
1. USB- A (TYPE A):
The rectangular USB Type-A connector approximately 1.4cm (9/16 in) in length by 0.65 cm (1/4 in) in height is typically used for wired mice and keyboards. USB sticks Normally feature USB-A connectors also.
2. USB- B (TYPE B):
This type is a little bit less common than type A, USB B devices are nearly square in shape and are commonly found on routers, computers, printers, and game consoles.
3. Micro USB:
So-called micro USB versions of both USB A and USB B also exist which is a smaller version than their base counterparts popular on mobile devices. Older but now obsolete “ mini USB” versions can also be found on many old Devices.
4. USB Type C:
With dimensions of 0.84 cm by 0. 26 cm, this newer standard is designed to replace both A and B with smaller ports to better support the thinner form factors of mobile devices.
To connect a device having one kind of port per device with another type, simply use the correct type of cable with appropriate interfaces on each end. USB cables are manufactured to support all supported combinations of types and male/female options.
How To Use A USB Port
Connect two devices directly with one USB cable by plugging each end into a USB port .( Some devices feature more than one USB port, but do not plug both ends of a cable into the same device, as this can cause electrical damage).
You may plug cables into a USB port at any time regardless of whether the devices involved are powered on or off. Follow the instructions provided with your equipment before unplugging the USB cable.
In some cases, unplugging a USB cable from a running device can cause damage to the device or the files being hse6d on the computer. For this reason, it is good practice to always safely eject your USB device before physically unplugging it.
Multiple USB devices can also be connected to each other using a USB hub. A USB hub plugs into one USB port and contains an additional port for other devices to connect subsequently. If using a USB hub, plug a separate cable into each device and connect them to the hub individually.
If your computer or laptop has more than one USB port, try plugging your peripheral into a different one. This is an easy way to see if the problem is specific to one port or Extend to all of them. You can also try a different cable, to make sure the existing one is not torn, melted, or otherwise damaged.
It’s doubtful that the USB is defective if it worked properly before switching to windows. To avoid wasting time on more complicated troubleshooting, it is essential to rule out this possibility first. USB devices may be tested by simply unplugging them into the computer
Alternatives To USB Ports:
USB ports are an alternative to the serial and parallel ports available. Older computers. USB ports support much faster data transfer than serial or parallel.
For computer networking, Ethernet ports are sometimes used instead of USB. For some types of computer peripherals, fire Wire ports are also available sometimes. Both Ethernet and FireWire can offer faster performance than USB, although these interfaces do not supply any power across the wire.
USB Port Not Working?
Not everything goes smoothly whenever you work with electronic devices whether it’s a computer, laptop, or anything. There is a variety of reasons a USB port could suddenly stop working correctly.
The USB ports on your computer help you customize and control your personal computer experience. Need a mouse?
Just plug in .this can make working and gaming on your computer a much more enjoyable experience -unless one of those ports malfunctions. If you have tried everything to fix your mouse to get your external drive you show up, the problem may be internal.
Test Your USB Port, If It’s Not Working
Before proceeding be sure that it is the port that is faulty rather than the device you are connecting. To establish which is the problem, you will need to know how to troubleshoot the USB port. This means knowing how to test USB ports.
Start by connecting the device to another USB port. If it works, then the problem is the first port, if the device remains undetected, you have a faulty device.
If there is a problem with your USB port, you will notice it thanks to either of these things:
- The connected device fails to be detected
- Your operating system displays an error message relating to the device
In both ways, you should investigate the state of the USB port. Has it been damaged in any way? The safest way to grind out is to shut down your PC or laptop.
Next, look at the ISB port, is it clean or dust free? There’s a chance that dirt, dust, and general detritus might have become embedded in the port. This can happen with laptop and desktop computers alike.
How To Fix The Issue Of The USB Port Not Working
1. First Make Sure You Have The Right Port:
Some manufacturers designate certain ports as data only, meaning you can transfer data through it but cannot draw power. Check your USB ports to see how they are labeled. Some may include a charger plug icon, or something similar to indicate it’s meant for charging.
If you are trying to charge through a data-only port, moving to the charging port should fix the issue.
2. Clean Out The Debris:
Look closer at your USB ports. Debris or grime can block the port and prevent a proper connection between the computer and the plug. A good indicator that something is stuck is if the cable doesn’t plug in all the way.
You may need a flashlight, but see if you can spot any food or dust blocking the port. If so, then the computer off and use a toothpick to gently free up anything stuck inside.
You can also use the canned air to clean out the space, just don’t stick the plastic nozzle directly into the port because condensation can build up and cause more harm than good.
If you plug in your device and can connect briefly by wiggling it slightly, there is likely a physical issue. At this point, you may need to pry open the computer’s chassis to see if you can fix the port yourself to call in a professional.
3. Restart And Update:
It’s possible that all your USB port need is a quick restart. Sometimes there is an internal error that can keep components from acting the way they should, and restarting gives the computer a chance to fix itself.
In windows, click the start menu then the power button, and then restart. On a Mac, click Apple and then restart.
The issue you are having also may be solved by updating your computer. The drivers used to make all your devices work can run into issues and need update over time. Driver updates are typically packed with regular system updates, so it’s worth a try.
4. Manage USB Controller:
Your USB ports are managed by their own drivers. If there is something wrong with these drivers, it may result in unusable USB ports. Right-click on the start menu and choose device manager from the list. Scroll down to UNIVERSAL SERIAL VUS CONTROLLER and expand the list. Look for the option that includes “USB HOST CONTROLLER “ in the name.
Right-click on the entry then select hninst6the device. If there are multiple listings with the name, do the same for all of them. Let the drivers uninstall. Then reboot your computer. The USB host controller will be reinstalled automatically upon relaunch and hopefully clear up any issues.
Things work a little differently for Macs. The system management controller is in charge of many hardware functions on a Mac. So if you can’t get a USB port to work, you can reset the system management controller.
The method differs depending on whether it’s an Apple silicon or Intel-based Mac, has a removable battery, or includes the T2 security chip. Apple has instructions on how to reset the system management controller in your device.
5. Check For Internal Broken Connections:
Check for loose and broken internal connections. One way to test this is to insert your USB device and then gently wiggle the connection. If it briefly connects and disconnects then there is a physical problem with either the cable or the USB port.
If you feel a great deal of movement when you gently wiggle the USB connector, that indicates it may be bent or broken off the board. And while it is sometimes possible to fix this type of problem. You are probably better off taking it to a professional.
Final Words
This article is wholly about the USB port. We have discussed in detail how to use the USB port and which things can be inserted into the USB port. USB port is part of a laptop which is an electronic device, and we all know that this electronic device can be messed up at any time, and the fault in USB fault will stop you from doing many things like using a wireless mouse, inserting USB, from Connecting your mobile phone with the help of a cable. If your USB port is showing any error then with the help of this article you can resolve that issue and use your USB port easily.
