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USB drives appear and disappear

Anonymous
2020-09-14T00:41:57+00:00

Ok, got a bit of a strange one this morning which happened after I opened an excel file from the office via VPN (could be just a coincidence it happened at that time though).

Anyway, the USB drive icon in the sys tray disappeared and then appeared and started randomly switching between those states. In sync with that, my USB drive tank (Probox with 8 drives) actually did disappear and then come back online, and the probox started checking disks as if it was being connected to and disconnected from the PC.

I turned the probox off, dropped the VPN and closed all programs, and no change, icon was still going in and out, ran webroot and malwarebytes, no issues there.

Rebooted, the problem was still there.

It looked like it was having problems with a USB device, so physically unplugged the probox from the PC in case the probox's USB port had become flaky, still no change. 

So, as a test I grabbed a USB stick and stuck it in a USB 3 port (one of the PC's front ports) and the USB icon came on solid, the USB stick appeared and was readable. I turned the Probox on and all drives came up and have stayed up.

So, it looks like some sort of insane USB driver bug?

Not seen this issue before, the PC is 8 months old, Ryzen 2400GE on an MSI B450i Gaming Plus AC, 16GB Corsiar memory, Adata SX8200P SSD, running the latest Win 10 Pro.

Found a couple of similar reported issues here and elsewhere but no real resolution, would be good to know why this happened...

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T00:56:56+00:00

    Hi Alien. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

    We regularly see cases of USB dysfunction here. The fixes which work most often for future reference are:

    1. Try all other USB ports to compare.
    2. Update your Chipset and USB drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page for your full model number, HP Serial Number, or Dell Service tag from the sticker on PC.
    3. Compare the latest drivers with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.
    4. If no newer or this doesn't help, then go to the USB category in Device Manager, open each Enhanced, Hub and Host controller, from Driver tab select Roll back if available, or if not choose Uninstall.

    If your keyboard and mouse are USB, first program the power button to effect the needed restart after Rolling back or uninstalling the driver. Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings > Choose what Power buttons do to choose Shutdown.

    1. For external hard drives go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, find drive under Disk Drives, right click to Uninstall, restart PC to reinstall.

    If that doesn't help then plug the external into another PC to see if it is detected, if so copy the files out to a folder on Desktop, return it to problem PC to Delete in Disk Mgmt and reformat as shown here:

    http://www.wikihow.com/Format-an-External-Hard-...

    1. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

    1. Do you know when this started? If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

    You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

    If this was caused by a Version Update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool downloaded from here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f2...

    1. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool and then choosing to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

    But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    There is also an automated Fresh Start that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T01:24:06+00:00

    I think it's driver instability, mainly because what often fixes it is to reinstall the USB controller driver.

    I'm glad to help. Let me know if there's anything else.

    Also when ready please mark the post which helped most as the Answer (or Resolved), to help others. A rating is also appreciated.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T01:44:17+00:00

    Ok, thanks, if it happens again I will see if there's a new driver version, or roll it back.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-09-14T01:20:33+00:00

    Thanks Greg,

    I always build my own PCs and install Win myself from the iso from the MS site, never have issues generally, this one just appeared out of nowhere this morning. I have the latest manufacturer drivers for my chipset. It wasn't a particular USB port that was malfunctioning, it was all of them at the same time.

    I tried recreating the issue by going through the same process as what seemed to trigger it but that didn't work, so hoping it might be a one-off bit of weirdness, just thought others might have seen this particular issue and found a reason behind it, I like to know these things!

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