Share via

"Not enough USB controller resources" error

Anonymous
2013-11-01T16:25:15+00:00

I consistently get a "Not enough USB controller resources" anytime I try plugging in an additional USB device into my Microsoft Surface Pro 128GB. I know I have a lot of USB devices but I never had this problem with my Windows 7 machine. How can I fix?

Below configuration works fine but when I add any one more thing like SD card reader I get aforementioned error.

Microsoft Surface Pro 128GB

  •    w/1080p monitor via DisplayPort

Lenovo USB 3.0 Port Replicator w/ 5 USB 3.0 ports

  •    running two additional 1080p displays via DisplayLink.
  •    Yamaha Stereo Speakers

Generic 4-port USB 3.0 Hub

  •    Three 2TB Seagate Flex USB 3.0 drives
  •    One 2TB WD Passport USB 3.0 drive

Generic 4-port USB 2.0 Hub

  •    Logitech Trackman using wireless USB 2.0 dongle
  •    Canon i80 portable printer
  •    Samsung S4 being used as cellular modem via PdaNet

Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard

Motorola Bluetooth Mouse

Surface | Surface Pro | USB-C

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-07T14:25:57+00:00

    The USB hub you're using should have it's own power source. The problem comes from the total amount of power being drawn from the USB devices exceeding it's capacity.

    A docking station should also fix this as the power being drawn by the USB devices doesn't come directly from the Surface USB port.

    15 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T16:23:44+00:00

    I was able to resolve the problem by replacing a non-powered USB 3.0 hub with a powered USB 3.0 hub.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-19T14:45:36+00:00

    I read this thread and several others about this issue and discovered that it is the Targus Display link that was holding me back on USB devices.  If I plugged the USB hub directly into the Surface, it worked fine.  So, I just reversed the order I plugged them in.  I plugged the USB hub in to the Surface and the Targus dock into the USB hub.  Life is good.  Everything is working now.  I have a smoking fast powered USB 3.0 hub.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

21 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-01T17:23:53+00:00

    Do you have the latest DisplayLink drivers?

    Are your Generic Hubs Win 8 compatible? Or have 'quality' chips?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-09T08:03:38+00:00

    LOL.  ;)

    "I know I have a lot of USB devices but I never had this problem with my Windows 7 machine."

    Was that Win 7 PC also a tablet, or a desktop PC?

    " How can I fix?"

    Unplug devices (i.e. HDs) that are not being used.  After all, this is tablet, not a workstation.

    0 comments