USB storage devices charging, but not recognized when connected

Hi, I have a dictaphone / voice recorder that previously worked on my windows 10 machine. It has stopped being recognized by the USB ports; all that happens is it lights up and charges the device but there is no indication of anything being connected. I assumed the device was the problem so bought another one, brand new, which has the exact same problem. So I think this is a windows issue.

The USB ports work fine and have up to date drivers. I can plug in a standard flash drive to either port and it works fine. I can plug in my iPhone, no problem. So both USB ports work fine, but won't accept the old or the new dictaphone and will only charge them.

I have completed all available windows updates on my Dell Inspiron 5415. I have also run all the Dell updates and no difference has been made.

Furthermore I have followed every step as detailed below when I googled the problem to find Microsoft answers. Methods 5 and 6 displayed no such options, and when i looked for a troubleshooter there was nothing under the term "Hardware and Devices." available, and then the troubleshooter stopped working.

Please help - see post below

Louie_101

• Independent Advisor

Replied on February 19, 2022Report abuse Hello, I'm Louie, and I'm happy to help you today. Hope you're doing well and safe there. I'm sorry that you're having trouble with your USB ports.

I would suggest you to try the methods provided below:

Method 1 - Check Power Management Settings

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
3. Look for the first USB Root Hub. In some computers, it could be just one. Right-click on it and select Properties.
4. Go to Power Management tab. Here, unmark the box beside Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click on OK.
5. Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 for other USB Root Hub devices under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Method 2 - Check Power Supply

1. Unplug your laptop’s power supply, along with the charger plug.
2. Now, restart the laptop.
3. Reconnect the USB device to the USB port of your laptop.
4. Plug charger and power supply back on your laptop.

Method 3 - Uninstall Drivers

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Bus Controllers. Here, right-click on the USB Root Hub select Uninstall device.
3. Repeat the above step for remaining USB Root Hub.
4. Restart your computer.

After performing the restart, the Windows will recognize USB Root Hubs as new device and will install its drivers automatically.

Method 4 - Update Drivers

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Universal Bus Controllers. Here, right-click on the USB Root Hub select Update driver.
3. Now click on Search automatically for updated driver software. This will download and install the updated drivers for USB Root Hub on your computer.
4. Repeat the above two steps for remaining USB Root Hub.
5. Restart your computer.

Method 5 - Turn Off Fast Startup

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Power Options.
2. Under Related Settings, click on Additional power settings.
3. On the left side of the window, click on Choose what the power button does.
4. Now, select Change settings that are currently unavailable. This will let you change the shutdown settings.
5. Under Shutdown settings, unmark the box beside Turn on fast startup (recommended). And click on Save changes.
6. Restart your computer.

Method 6 - Disable USB Selective Suspend Setting

1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Power Options.
2. Under Related Settings, click on Additional power settings.
3. Now, go to Change plan settings of your selected plan.
4. Select Change advanced power settings.
5. Look for USB Settings and expand it. Here, change the USB selective suspend setting to Disabled. Now click on OK.

Method 7 - Troubleshoot the issue

1. Go to Cortana and type Troubleshoot. Select the same from results.
2. Click on Hardware and Devices.
3. The Windows will check for issues. When done, click on Apply Repair Automatically or Apply this Fix, whichever appears.
4. Restart your computer.

Hope this helps and looking forward for good results.

Kind regards,
Louie