My laptop doesn't recognize anything connected to the USB ports

Hi Alba,

1. Which is the operating system installed on the computer?
2. What is the make and model of the computer?

This issue can be caused if any of the following situations exist:

• The currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt
• Your PC requires an update for issues that may conflict with a USB external hard drive and Windows
• Windows may be missing other important updates hardware or software issues
• Your USB controllers may have become unstable or corrupt
• Your external drive may be entering selective suspend
• Your PC motherboard may need updated drivers

I would suggest you to connect the USB device to a different USB port and check.

You may run the Fixit provided in the article and check.

Refer:

Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/hardware_device_problems

You may also try the steps from the link and check if it helps:

Refer:

Tips for solving problems with USB deviceshttp://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-solving-problems-with-USB-devices

Note: Apply to Windows 7 as well

Hope this information helps. Reply with the status so that we could help you further.