USB Ports Not Working on Laptop? Try This First

USB ports not working on your laptop? Discover quick fixes and simple troubleshooting steps to restore USB functionality in minutes.

Jun 23, 2025 - 15:55
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USB Ports Not Working on Laptop? Try This First

USB ports are key for connecting devices. You can link your phone, keyboard, mouse, flash drives, printers, and external hard drives. They can stop working. Your USB device suddenly stops working or is not recognized.

Don't worry. It is a notorious issue that can easily be resolved and sometimes it is not necessary to visit a laptop repair shop near me. These are the first things to do in case the USB ports of a laptop are not functioning.

1. Check if it's an issue with the device.

Test the USB device before you assume that your laptop's USB ports are faulty.

  • Connect the device to a different port of your laptop.

  • Plug the same device into another computer.

  • If your device has a USB cable, try a different USB cable.

If your USB device works on another computer, it is most likely the USB port of your laptop. If it does not work anywhere, then the cable or device could be defective.

2. Restart your Laptop

It may seem simple, but restarting your laptop can fix many minor problems like USB port problems. Sometimes the operating system fails to load drivers correctly. This issue can be resolved by a fresh restart.

Disconnect the USB and restart and then connect the USB after restarting.

3. Check for dust or physical damage.

Dust, debris or loose connections in the USB port may prevent it from working correctly. Look closely:

  • Take a torch and inspect the USB port.

  • Clean the port with a brush with a soft bristle or compressed air carefully.

  • Poking into the hole with metal pins or any objects should not be done. This may be harmful.

Check if you can feel the connector or the port moving when it is plugged in. This could be an indication of Hardware Damage and may require professional repair.

4. Check Device Manager (Windows Users)

If your USB device doesn't work on Windows, try this:

  1. Click Device Management after pressing Windows + Windows + X.

  2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.

  3. Find any item marked with an exclamation mark (!) sign.

  4. Choose Update driver by right-clicking Uninstall.

Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically reinstall all the drivers.

5. USB Devices may be disabled by Power Management Settings

One option is that Windows can disable USB ports to save power, especially in laptops.

How to fix it:

  1. Click on Device manager.

  2. Double-click on each "USB root hub" under Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

  3. Click on the Power Management Tab.

  4. Uncheck "Allow this device to be turned off by the computer in order to conserve power."

  5. Repeat the process for each USB Root Hub entry.

Restart your laptop, and then test the USB connector again.

6. Update Your Drivers

This issue can be caused by outdated or missing USB drivers. Try:

  • Visiting your laptop manufacturer's website (like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.)

  • Find your laptop model.

  • Installing the latest USB or chipset drivers

You can use Windows update to search for driver updates.

  • After opening Settings, go to Update & Security, then click Check for Updates.

7. Use System Restore if you have a working system.

If your USB ports stop working on Windows after a driver update or new software is installed, you can use System Restore.

  1. Search for "System Restore" using the search bar.

  2. Choose Restore a previous point.

  3. Select a date that you remember the USB ports working properly.

  4. Follow these steps to restore the system.

This won’t delete your files. However, it will undo any recent software updates that might be causing the problem.

8. Visit a repair technician.

If none of these steps work, you may have a Hardware issue - like

  • Broken USB port

  • Damaged motherboard connections

  • Electrical failure due to power surges

In these cases, you should visit a laptop repair service near me. You can find many technicians who are able to quickly and safely fix USB port problems in a large city such as Dubai.

If you are not experienced, don't try to open your laptop by yourself. You could void your warranty or even cause further damage.

Final Words

USB International Business Standards (USB) are so common that we often forget how important they are until they stop working. Minor mistakes done by the driver or dust on the port can create many problems. Such problems can be solved easily. The first solution is to reboot your computer and perform a test of the device. Then clean and update drivers and also check power settings. Failing all these, do not hesitate to call at 045490505 a reputable laptop repair center in Dubai.

With patience, in a short time you can restore your USB port back to its form of functionality.

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