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"USB device not recognized" message popping up after cable is connected with no device attached.

Anonymous
2020-02-01T15:20:58+00:00

Hello everyone,

A couple months ago, I bought a pack of Anker USB cables, and all of them how work great until a couple days ago. I noticed that the "USB device not recognized. The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned and Windows does not recognize it" error message pops up every time after I plug in the one cable into my Windows 10 laptop.

While trying to troubleshoot this issue, I unhooked my phone and plugged the cable into the other ports, but the message is still popping up, even though no device is being connected. If I do plug in my phone, it will still charge, but Windows obviously doesn't recognize it.

In Device Manager, it says: "Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed."

When I click on Properties, the Device status reads: "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43). A request for the USB device descriptor failed."

Also, I checked the cable over, it's not physically damaged (at least not on the outside).

The weird thing is that it's just happening with the one cable. I've tried the other ones, and they seem fine.

Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Connect Phone and PC

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-02-16T22:35:05+00:00

    "You'd think if the cable was defective, then the laptop wouldn't recognize it at all, and the devices wouldn't charge"

    Not really. The cable has multiple wires. If only 1 or 2 data wires/lines are bad/shorted in the cable (as I mentioned), this can result in no effect on charging. If all of them were bad, you could do neither.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-02-04T17:11:48+00:00
    1. It's an Acer E15 - E5-575-5476
    2. No, I'm not aware of any changes made to my computer.
    3. And no, I haven't had a chance to try the cable in another PC yet.

    Also, I've followed your steps to uninstall the driver, but it doesn't have a check box to delete the driver software for this device. I clicked uninstall anyways though.

    I've restarted the computer, and the same thing is still happening. It's probably just the cable. I just think it's weird the computer is displaying the "USB device not recognized" error message with nothing connected to the cable. Plus, like I already mentioned, it will still charge my phone and tablet. You'd think if the cable was defective, then the laptop wouldn't recognize it at all, and the devices wouldn't charge.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-02-03T11:36:23+00:00

    The cable is bad internally through normal use, abuse or a defect. Either 1 or 2 wires internally or at the connector ends. Return it under warranty, toss it, or simply use it for USB charging, since those wires are still functional (at least for now).

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-02-03T11:26:30+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

    I understand that you are facing issues with USB device not recognized when you try to connect your phone through USB cable to the PC. For further clarity on the issue, please respond to the questions below:

    1. What is the make and model of the PC?
    2. Are you aware of any changes made to the PC prior to which you weren’t facing this issue?
    3. Have you tried connecting the cable to any other PC?

    Meanwhile, I would suggest you to try re-installing the Chipset drivers and see if that helps.

    1. Press Windows key + R. This will open Run. Alternatively, you can go to Start and search for ‘Run’
    2. In Run dialog box, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
    3. Expand Universal Serial Bus Controller.
    4. Right click on the USB Root Hub and click on Uninstall.
    5. Now check the box Delete the driver software for this device.
    6. Click on Uninstall
    7. Restart the PC.

    In addition, you can try downloading the chipset drivers from the manufacturer of the PC and see if that helps.

    Let us know how it goes.

    Regards,

    Prakhar Khare

    Microsoft Community - Moderator

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