Fix USB Device Not Recognized Error

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119 Responses

  1. Anthony says:

    @Eve – Code 43 is really a driver related error according to the Microsoft Device Manager error codes description. From your description it seems like the USB Root Hub device has the problem. Try removing them in the Device Manager under the Universal Serial Bus Controller class. Windows will reinstall them when you reboot.

  2. Eve says:

    Hi, I have the same USB problem (Code 43) and have tried everything I’ve found on the internet: uninstalled the drives in device manager, updated BIOS, updated all drives both on Windows and HP (I’m using Compaq Presario CQ40-121TU on Windows 7), did system restore to the day before the problem started. I’ve been using Windows 7 for about 2 months with no problems, and then couple of days ago it suddenly didn’t recognise any of the laptop’s 3 ports. It powers the devices up but doesn’t recognise them. I’ve tried all of the devices (mouse, Kingston, iPhone, camera) on another laptop working on XP and have no problems. I’m completely at wits end!

  3. Anthony says:

    @Bruce – I assume you have tested the USB devices on another computer and know that they are working. Did you check the Disk Management module under computer management to see if the USB disks show up there at all? (right-click My computer and select Manage in the popup menu)
    Sometimes a registry problem can also cause problems with USB device detection, but normally that gets fixed if you uninstall the hidden USB devices (devices that have been plugged and detected in the past).

  4. Bruce says:

    Similar to this but perhaps different. I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 notebook in which the machine doesn’t register any USB devices. It delivers power through the port sufficent to drive a 35W external stereo speaker set. All diagnostic tools I have used eg. USB sniffer either can’t find a device. Alternatively they say that the USB controllers and hubs are working correctly. The machine has the correct drivers (recently updated from Dell). On plugging in a Transcend 2Gb USB Mass Storage Device the following happens – the led lights but doesn’t flicker indicating that there is no traffic. USB Sniffer can’t create a session for the same reason. Can you tell me if you have found this problem before? If so was the problem a chip on the motherboard? Is the only solution a new M/board?

    Bruce

  5. Anthony says:

    @John – Electronics are very sensitive to water so the stick might really not work anymore. Regarding the other end, I suspect that is a connector that is used during manufacturing for testing, not sure if you can use it or if the results would be any better. If you have very important data on it, you will need to take it to a specialist.

  6. John says:

    Hey out there, I too have a USB (flash drive) problem. When I plug it into any port on several different computers, I get the message “USB not recognized”. I tried several of these different fix methods but it ain’t working. The thing is my flash drive was working fine for about a year and then I dropped it (it’s on my keychain) in the snow. Shortly after that it stopped being recognized. There use to be a green power light on it but now that light is red, and I noticed the little clear plastic piece covering the light is dislodged and was floating around inside the casing. I have since carefully cut off the casing to get that piece out of there and to see if I could notice anything visually diffective, but I have had no luck. I have noticed however, on the oppisite side of where you plug the flash drive into the usb port, another exposed part of the circuit board that looks like it could get plugged into something else. Maybe just a little bigger than a usb port. Is there any way to access the drive from this end? Please help! What can I do? Thanks, John.

  7. Anthony says:

    @Sam – Two things I can suggest: 1) use a system restore point to restore the Windows configuration from before you connected your brother’s iPhone, or 2) Uninstall the iPhone in the Device Manager (you might need to select Show hidden devices in the View menu first).

  8. Sam says:

    Hi Anthony,
    Yesterday, my brother had a problem with his iphone. he said that when he updated cydia his iphone was turned off. so i plugged it to my laptop through the usb, and at the same time i plugged my usb modem, after couple minutes, i lost internet connection on laptop and it couldn’t read my usb modem anymore although it works fine with my flash drive. i tried to uninstall the device, restore the computer. still having same message ” USB DEVICE NOT RECOGNIZED”.
    AND STILL CAN’T USE INTERNET. please help

  9. De Embree says:

    Thanks very much Anthony… I will be in the city later this week and will see if I can get the ole ‘Geek Squad’ or someone to take a look at it… Appreciate your time and advice… De

  10. Anthony says:

    @De Embree – One option is to get a generic hard disk enclosure for external disk and not use a HP media drive bay. But… it would be better to simply attache the HDD directly into a computer on a SATA connector to make sure the disk is not defect. If possible go to a computer store and ask them if they can check the disk on a SATA controller. If you tell them you will buy a drive bay for it if it still works, I am sure they will help ;)

  11. De Embree says:

    Thanks Anthony…
    I was able to open the USB enclosure and move the HD to another identical enclosure (they are SATA) however I am still getting the Unrecognized USB device error so it is obviously related somehow to the drive itself… I looked at installing the drive internally but the cable and power connections are different than those inside my desktop… I am at a loss as to what else to try…
    De

  12. Anthony says:

    @De Embree – I do not have a HP media driver, but i did read that you can open the disks up by pulling back the plastics strips on either side of the enclosure.
    Exchanging the disks might be possible, but make sure you check they are compatible. I thought the original disks were PATA and I am not sure if the new ones are SATA. You can always connect the internal HDD as an internal hard disk in the computer of course (assuming you have the space for it).

  13. De Embree says:

    Hi Anthony,
    I read all of the instructions and feedback above regarding the Unrecognized USB Device Error… I have an HP 500GB Personal Media Drive, (hd5000s), That I have been using for a couple of years or so without any problems, However as of a few days ago I am now getting an error that the USB device is not recognized and the light on the drive just flashes… This same error happens whether I slide the drive into the HP Desktop slot or plug it into the Desktop’s or a Laptop’s USB port via cable… I am a photographer and have over 150,000 important photos on this drive… I have a similar 300GB drive – This sounds mechanical or electrical within the drive’s case and most likely unrelated to the drive itself so I am wondering if there is some way that I can take the drive itself out of the 500GB case and place it in the 300GB case… I can’t see an obvious way to open the cases to try and do the exchange?????
    Any additional help or advice that you might have on this matter would be greatly appreciated… Thanks… De

  14. PrideCommodore-PanzerElite says:

    ……yeah i had thought of that no doubt…..
    and secondly…….
    …well as oddly as it is, i woke up 30 mins ago to get ready for work, and thought ”why not just try and see for giggles…” too my amazement, it worked?!?!?!?!? just randomly, i dont know why or how… but it worked and continues to work normaly.

    baffles me nonetheless ill just take it and leave it as is. if i have problems ill be sure to head back here with results.
    im guessing ONE of the steps i did above worked but wich one i honestly dont know, since the time it took to be fixed.

    thanks for the ideas and fixes anyways ^^

    Panther

  15. Anthony says:

    @Panther – Well, there is a simple method to confirm if it is the camera or cable and that is to plug it into a different computer. Maybe at a relative or friend? That will definitely be the best first step considering your scenario.

  16. Panther(Canadian) says:

    got a bit more details to point out, i should also point out…….
    ===
    “In the Device Manager, right-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers device and select Uninstall in the popup menu. Now reboot and Windows will reinstall the device. ”
    =======
    [above]i have a pull out tab under ‘universal serial bus controller device’ and in that i have 4 lables….including;
    -standard enhanced PCI to usb host controller
    -standard openHCD usb host controller
    -usb root hub
    -usb root hub
    =========
    i would try to do the instructions above about uninstalling, however i am a bit weirey about doing so concidering the fact my girlfriend dose NOT have her original windows OS disc on hand, should there be any problems.

    ====
    im almost certain that its not my USB ports anymore only due to the fact, i can still plug in other devices and they respond/work or get powered……..now, when i connect my camera usb dock, windows dosent even give me the pop up about ”USB Device Not Recognized Error” . . . camera powers down when i connect it to the computer, as soon as i remove it, camera powers back up……soo…..im still stumpped, advice is dire needed!!! going nuts here…..

    -replace camera cord?!
    -usb driver uninstal/removel?!

    thanks for reading and replying !

  17. Panther says:

    hi, my problem is with my USB i too get that message regarding windows and the problemmatic usb issue….
    recently i got my gf a kodak digital camera for a earlie x-mas, it worked fine a week ago, i plugged it in, would load and upload no problem…now…..for somereason it dose not???? i keep getting the USB popup saying windows cannot recoggnise the usb device.

    im beginning to think its the camera?!?!?!? i looked in my device manager window and dose not suggest problems or device failures………nothing…..i can plugging my flash drives and they load normally?!?!??….arg~ its rather anoying. i tryed alot of online solutions nothing…..delet this…remove that….install this….restart/wwait 30mins……notta.

    how can i tell if it is actually MY end or the camera end???
    regarding the BIOS, i wouldnt know anything about that or how to get to it -.-
    camera it self works perfectly…..the cd it comes with SHOULD have drivers to install, but again my labtop isnt recoggnising these or something, somewhere…..
    =====

    inshort;
    -i plug in my camera to my computer and windows pops up with ‘device not recoggnised’ issue…
    -now when i plug my camera in to my usb port(s)[tryed all 4] nothing happens,,,,,,,
    maby it is the camera?!?!?!??! since i still can use my flash drives~

    thanks for imput if any…..

  18. Anthony says:

    @angela – You are right, I’ll update the article to clarify, but you should indeed open it up by clicking the plus sign and then uninstall the USB Root Hub devices under it. Ideally you only uninstall the one that has the problematic device connected, but if you do not know, just uninstall them all and they will be reinstalled.

  19. angela says:

    I have went to the device manage and right clicked on the Universal serial bus controllers but it does not give me the option to uninstall them. Only if i click the plus sign and they all drop down it gives me the option to uninstall them one by one? Im confused please help.

  20. Anthony says:

    @Don – Did you try viewing the hidden devices in the Device Manager? Sometimes plugged or unplugged devices will show there and uninstalling them can also help recognizing them again. In Vista you can simply select Show hidden devices in the View menu, in XP you will need to add a registry key before you can see hidden devices.

  21. Don says:

    Anthony….thanks but I already tried all those things, several times! But thanks for the input.

  22. Anthony says:

    @joe b – Try uninstalling the USB Root Hub devices in the Device Manager. When you reboot Windows, they will automatically be reinstalled. After that, try again.

    @Don – Same for you, even though thing appear to be working, still try and uninstall the USB Root Hub devices in the Device Manager. Reinstalling them can help. You can even uninstall the USB Controller (one level higher).
    Another thing to try is to disable the power disable on the USB Root Hub devices. Right-click the USB Root Hub devices in the Device Manager, and select Properties in the popup menu. Select the Power Management tab and clear the checkbox in front of “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
    This prevents the USB hub to go to suspend mode, which could also cause the failed detection.

  23. Don says:

    I don’t get an “device unrecognized error”…it just doesn’t see it or as to install a driver for the device (flash drive, ext HD, printer, etc.) although the devices light up when plugged into the USB port…so they are getting power. And device manager shows that all USB controllers are working properly. All the devices I am trying work on other PC’s. I am running Windows XP W/SP2 although this started when I updated to SP3, which I have now uninstalled.

  24. joe b says:

    Hello, I tried all of your suggestions but am still getting the “unrecognized” error. When I plug in a USB device that has its own power (like an external hard drive with its own power source) it works, but usb drives and ipods, etc. do not register. Just started happening yesterday.

  25. Secure USB says:

    Thanks for the articles help me to sort out the problem i faced while connect USB TV to my PC.

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