Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) - WiFi Adapter

Question

Hello. I use a Realtek (I’m not sure the exact name) USB WiFi adapter. I was moving my computer and so I unplugged it but when I plugged it back in I couldn’t get a WiFi connection. So I tried to troubleshoot using other fixes and eventually it ended up saying “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)”. I tried just about every fix I could find, even on the microsoft forums. Uninstalling and reinstalling, restarting, nothing has worked. I’m wondering if someone could help or if I should just get another adapter (TPLink). I know it’s not a faulty USB port because I have tried all of the USB ports on my computer and none have worked for the WiFi adapter, but they work for all of my other devices. I would try to install new drivers but it’s impossible with my situation to get ethernet to my PC unless I bought a new ethernet cable, and at that point I might as well have bought a new adapter/WiFi card. What should I do?

Sincerely, Brayden.

Answer 1

Hello BraydenFM and welcome to the Microsoft Community!

Based on your feedback, you are experiencing an issue where the computer can no longer display the USB WiFi adapter after moving the computer, but only displays Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) - WiFi Adapter

This situation really gives a bad feeling

You can try the following methods

1. You can go to Device Manager, right-click on the USB WiFi adapter, click Update Driver and browse the local driver directory to see if that solves the problem.
2. Restart the Plug and Play service:

Press Windows Logo Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type services.msc and press Enter.

Find the Plug and Play service in the service list, right-click on it and select “Restart”.

3. Update or reinstall the USB controller driver:

Open Device Manager and expand “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”.

Right-click on each USB controller and select “Uninstall Device”, then restart the computer, the system will automatically reinstall the driver!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

I have the same problem with a TP-Link T4U USB WiFi adapter that uses a Realtek WiFi chip. In my case, I have a Dell XPS 9360 and an Asus Z170-Pro, each with Windows 11 Canary Build 27768. This adapter used to work in both systems.

It may have started on an earlier Canary release, probably no earlier than December 2024. Each system is on its respective most recent BIOS. They are on the most recent drivers. Removing the USB hubs in Device Manager and rebooting does not fix the problem.

I have reported to the Microsoft Feedback Hub.