USB ports stopped working after Windows update

USB Ports Stopped Working after Windows Update

If your USB ports have suddenly stopped working after a recent Windows update, don't worry, you're not alone. This is a common issue that can occur due to various reasons, such as driver conflicts or incorrect settings. In this article, we will guide you through some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the problem.

1. Restart Your Computer

It may seem simple, but restarting your computer can often fix many software-related issues. Sometimes, a simple reboot can refresh the system and resolve temporary glitches. So, before diving into more complex solutions, try restarting your computer and see if it resolves the problem.

2. Check Device Manager

The Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to manage and troubleshoot hardware devices. To check if the USB ports are properly recognized by your computer, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category.
4. If you see any yellow exclamation marks or red crosses next to the USB devices, it indicates a problem with the drivers. Right-click on the affected device and select Update driver. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
5. If there are no issues with the drivers, right-click on each USB device and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer and let Windows automatically reinstall the drivers for the USB ports.

3. Disable Selective Suspend

Windows has a power-saving feature called Selective Suspend that can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of USB devices. To disable Selective Suspend, follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager as explained in step 2.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category.
3. Right-click on each USB device and select Properties.
4. In the Power Management tab, uncheck the option that says Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

4. Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common hardware issues. To run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. In the left sidebar, select Troubleshoot.
4. Scroll down and click on Hardware and Devices.
5. Click on the Run the troubleshooter button and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Check for Windows Updates

It might seem counterintuitive, but sometimes installing the latest Windows updates can fix issues with USB ports. To check for updates, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. In the left sidebar, select Windows Update.
4. Click on the Check for updates button and wait for Windows to search for available updates.
5. If any updates are found, click on Download and install to install them.
6. Restart your computer after the updates are installed.

6. Contact Support

If none of the above solutions work for you, it is recommended to contact the support team for further assistance. They will be able to provide you with more advanced troubleshooting steps or guide you through the process of repairing or replacing any faulty hardware.

We hope these steps helped you resolve the issue with your USB ports after a Windows update. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us.