Windows 10: USB Drive Acting Weirdly: 12 Possible Solutions

Windows 10 USB Drive Acting Weirdly: 12 Possible Solutions

If your USB drive is acting weirdly in Windows 10, you're not alone. Many users have reported issues with USB drives, such as not being recognized, making a sound when connected, or showing the file explorer name. In this article, we'll cover 12 possible solutions to help you fix your USB drive issues in Windows 10.

1. Check the USB Connection

The first thing you should do is check the USB connection. Make sure the USB cable is not damaged and is properly connected to your computer. You can also try using a different USB port or a different USB cable to see if that resolves the issue.

2. Update USB Drivers

Outdated USB drivers can cause issues with your USB drive. To update your USB drivers, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click on each USB device and select Update driver.
4. Follow the prompts to update the driver software.

3. Disable USB Selective Suspend

USB Selective Suspend is a power-saving feature that can cause issues with USB drives. To disable USB Selective Suspend, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click on each USB device and select Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

4. Check Disk for Errors

Disk errors can cause issues with your USB drive. To check your USB drive for errors, follow these steps:

1. Connect your USB drive to your computer.
2. Right-click on the USB drive and select Properties.
3. Go to the Tools tab and click on Check.
4. Follow the prompts to scan your USB drive for errors.

5. Format USB Drive

If your USB drive is still not working, you may need to format it. Formatting will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

1. Connect your USB drive to your computer.
2. Right-click on the USB drive and select Format.
3. Choose the file system (FAT32 or NTFS) and set the cluster size.
4. Click on Start to format the USB drive.

6. Disable USB Root Hub

Disabling the USB Root Hub can help resolve issues with your USB drive. To disable the USB Root Hub, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click on the USB Root Hub and select Disable device.
4. Confirm the action and restart your computer.

7. Use a Different USB Port

If your USB drive is not working in one USB port, try using a different USB port. Some USB ports may be damaged or not working properly, so using a different port can help resolve the issue.

8. Update Windows 10

Outdated Windows 10 can cause issues with your USB drive. To update Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security and click on Check for updates.
3. Follow the prompts to install any available updates.

9. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows Troubleshooter can help resolve issues with your USB drive. To run Windows Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security and click on Troubleshoot.
3. Click on Additional troubleshooters and select Hardware and Devices.
4. Click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the prompts to resolve any issues.

10. Change USB Power Management

Changing the USB power management can help resolve issues with your USB drive. To change the USB power management, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Right-click on the USB Root Hub and select Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

11. Disable USB Selective Suspend in Registry Editor

Disabling USB Selective Suspend in Registry Editor can help resolve issues with your USB drive. To disable USB Selective Suspend in Registry Editor, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R and type regedit.
2. Navigate to HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c02-257dd60c564c\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7.
3. Change the Value data to 0.
4. Click on OK and restart your computer.

12. Reinstall USB Drivers in Safe Mode

Reinstalling USB drivers in Safe Mode can help resolve issues with your USB drive. To reinstall USB drivers in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer and press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
2. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
4. Right-click on each USB device and select Uninstall device.
5. Restart your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall the USB drivers.

References

• How to Fix USB Drive Not Recognized in Windows 10
• Fix USB Device Not Recognized in Windows 10 with 6 Methods
• How to Fix a USB Drive Not Showing Up in Windows 10