How to Resolve the USB Device Not Recognized Issue

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The “USB Device not Recognised” issue disappoints many users. This issue may be caused by hardware or software issues. Windows and Mac have powerful solutions, thankfully. Unknown flash drives may cause issues, and this handbook will explain how to fix them. We will also discuss data recovery and recommend flash drive file recovery tools.

Reasons why the flash drive is not recognized on the computer:

There are various reasons a flash drive may not be recognised on your computer. These issues must be resolved swiftly to maintain operation and prevent data loss. Some important explanations are:

  • USB Formatting Problem: Inappropriate flash drive formatting before first use is a common cause of unknown devices. Proper formatting will avoid future complications.
  • Driver Problem: A badly lost or damaged driver may make your computer unable to recognize a flash drive. Updating or installing a new driver often solves this problem.
  • Hard Drive-related issues: Computer hard drive failure may interfere with the perception of external devices. These hardware faults can be fixed to restore functionality and prevent future failures.
  • OS-related concerns Incompatible OS updates can prevent computers from recognising flash devices. Update needed components regularly to remedy this.

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11 Ways to Fix USB Device Not Recognized Issue in Windows

One or more of the following solutions may be needed, depending on the cause. Follow these procedures carefully to fix usb device not recognized issue.

Fix 1. Restart your computer: 

Sometimes a restart fixes performance bugs.

Fix 2. Try another USB port or device: 

Try connecting the flash drive to another computer or USB port to check the driver or port. 

Fix 3. Scan flash drive for problem:

  • Enter the flash drive into the USB port
  • Right-click on the flash drive in “My Computer” and select “Properties”.
  • Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check Now”.
  • Complete the scan and save the specified problem.

Fix 4. Uninstall Drive Device: 

If the driver flash is corrupt, uninstalling the USB device may solve the detection problem. Follow these steps carefully.

  • Type “Device Manager” in the search box and open it.
  • Search and click on the “Disk Drivers” section.
  • Right-click on the USB device and select “Uninstall device”.
  • Restart your computer and re-connect the USB device to check if the problem has been fixed.

Fix 5. Disable USB hold option settings:

Disabling this feature can help solve problems with usb device not recognized.

  • Go to “Settings” on your computer, then go to “system” > “power and sleep” > “additional power settings”.
  • Click “Change Plan Settings” > “Changes Advanced Power Configuration”
  • Extend the “USB Settings” menu
  • Disable “USB Uncheck Settings”
  • Apply Change

Fix 6. Update drivers. 

Updating the USB controller can fix unknown USB device issueusb device not recognized.

  • Press “OK” after typing “msc” in “Run.”
  • Device Manager shows “Controlers Universal Serial Bus”.
  • Select “Generic USB Hub” and “Right-Click.”
  • Click “Update driver software” and follow instructions.

Fix 7. Reinstall the USB controller if updating doesn’t work.

  • Find “Device Manager” and launch.
  • Select your drive’s USB controller on the “Controlers Universal Serial Bus” tab.
  • After clicking “Uninstall Device,” restart your computer and attach a USB device.

Fix 8. Operating System Update: 

Upgrading your Windows system is critical for solving the problem of unknown USB drivers.

  • Type “Windows Update” in the front search box of the Start menu
  • Select “Windows Update” and click “Check for Updates” to view existing updates.
  • Install the desired update and restart your computer.

Fix 9. Repair Windows System:

 If USB device repair fails, a corrupted Windows OS may be to blame. Follow these procedures to uncover viable solutions.

  • To access “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admine)” right-click the startup icon.
  • To scan the OS file, type “sfc /scannow”.
  • Restart your computer to resolve the unrecognised USB device.
  • Fix Windows Component Store if the issue persists: 

Fix 10. Run “Windows Terminal (Admin)” / “Windows PowerShell (admin)”

  • Scan the component store with “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth”.
  • Print and type “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and “DISM /Online”.
  • Check the PC after restarting.

If everything else fails, replace the flash drive.

  • Just right-click the flash drive and choose “Style”
  • Convert NTFS to FAT32 in format.
  • Click “Start” to restart creation. 

Fix 11. Update Chipset drivers for your motherboard: 

Regularly updating the chip set drivers is crucial in keeping the motherboard working properly. Go to the official website to check existing updates and install them in order.

Conclusion:

After fixing Windows’ “Unacceptable USB Devices” issue, back up the flash drive’s vital files. Check drives for immediate unintentional data loss. Use a reputable flash drive data recovery programme to recover deleted files before they are rewritten. 

[Bonus]: Recover data from unknown flash drive

To fix usb device not recognized, formatting the disc will erase all data. WinfrGUI, a free flash drive data recovery software, can help avoid this perilous circumstance. It restores data from corrupted, virus-infected, and failing file systems.

Use WinfrGUI to recover data from an unknown USB device in these simple steps:

  • Install WinfrGUI on your computer.
Download WinfrGUI Free
  • Open WinfrGUI and select the recovery mode.
  • Ensure the computer detects the USB device, then click “Start” to begin scanning.
  • Data will be scanned and refreshed by the software.
  • Checks recovered files and picks needed data.
  • Click “Recover” to retrieve lost files.

By following these steps, you can recover critical data from unrecognized USB devices easily to ensure the storage of critical files.

USB Device Not Recognized: FAQ

Why isn’t my flash drive recognized on my computer?

  • The flash drive may not be recognizable due to port-related problems, USB formatting problems, drivers problems, hard drive complications, or operating system conflicts.

How do I fix an unknown USB device error in Windows 10/11?

  • To fix an error of an unknown USB device in Windows 10/11, you can open the file scanner. Go to “This PC”. Right-click on the USB device. Select “Properties”. Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Scanning and scanning drives”.

Note: It is important to follow the recommended solution and decide the appropriate approach depending on the underlying cause of the problem.