Windows USB Not Detected — Fix & Solutions

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Plugging in a USB drive and seeing nothing happen can be frustrating — especially when you need your files urgently. If your USB device is not detected in Windows, don’t panic. In most cases, the problem is easy to fix and does not mean your USB is dead.

In this guide, we’ll go through the most common reasons and step-by-step solutions to fix USB detection issues on Windows.

Common Symptoms

You may be facing one or more of these issues:

  • USB device not showing in File Explorer

  • “USB device not recognized” error

  • USB shows in Device Manager but not usable

  • USB not detected on one PC but works on another

  • No sound when plugging in the USB

Why Windows Doesn’t Detect USB Devices

The issue usually happens due to:

  • Outdated or corrupted drivers

  • Power issues with USB ports

  • Disabled USB controllers

  • File system errors

  • Hardware damage (rare)

Fix 1: Try a Different USB Port or PC

Before changing any settings:

  • Plug the USB into another port

  • Try a different USB cable (for external drives)

  • Test the USB on another computer

If it works elsewhere, the issue is Windows-related, not the USB.

Fix 2: Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can:

  • Reload USB drivers

  • Fix temporary system glitches

This step is often overlooked but very effective.

Fix 3: Check Device Manager

  1. Press Windows + X → Click Device Manager

  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers

  3. Look for:

  • “Unknown USB Device”
  • Yellow warning icons

Try This:

  • Right-click the USB device

  • Click Uninstall device

  • Restart your PC

Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

Fix 4: Check Disk Management

Sometimes the USB is detected but not assigned a drive letter.

  1. Press Windows + X → Disk Management

  2. Look for your USB drive

  3. If it shows as:

    • Unallocated → Create a new volume

    • No drive letter → Assign a drive letter

Be careful not to format if you have important data.

Fix 5: Disable USB Power Saving

Windows may turn off USB ports to save power.

  1. Open Device Manager

  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers

  3. Right-click USB Root Hub → Properties

  4. Go to Power Management

  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device

  6. Click OK

Repeat for all USB Root Hub entries.

Fix 6: Update USB Drivers

  1. Open Device Manager

  2. Right-click your USB device

  3. Select Update driver

  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers

Also, keep Windows Update enabled for driver updates.

Fix 7: Run Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot

  2. Open Other troubleshooters

  3. Run Hardware and Devices

Windows will automatically detect common issues.

Fix 8: Check for File System Errors

If the USB appears but won’t open:

  1. Open This PC

  2. Right-click the USB drive

  3. Click Properties → Tools

  4. Run Check under Error Checking

When the USB Might Be Physically Damaged

Your USB may be damaged if:

  • It gets extremely hot

  • It’s bent or broken

  • It’s never detected on any computer

In this case, data recovery software or professional services may help.

Quick Fix Checklist

  • Try another USB port
  • Restart PC
  • Check Device Manager
  • Assign drive letter
  • Disable power saving
  • Update drivers

Conclusion

A USB not detected in Windows is a common issue — and in most cases, it’s fixable without replacing your device. By following the steps above, you can usually get your USB working again in just a few minutes.

If the problem still persists, the issue is likely hardware-related.

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