Fix Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error on Windows 11/10

This post lists the possible solutions to fix the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error on Windows 11/10. When this error occurs, Windows does not recognize the USB device. You can view this error message in the Device Manager under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node along with a yellow exclamation mark icon. Before we start our discussion on the troubleshooting methods, first, let’s see what the causes of this are.

What are the causes of Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error?

There are many causes of this error. We have listed below some of the most common causes.

• Outdated or corrupted drivers: A driver establishes a communication link between the operating system and the connected hardware. Companies release OS and software updates with time. In order to keep the hardware peripherals in a good working condition with the updated OS, drivers need to be updated. Hence, one of the most common causes of this error is outdated or corrupted drivers.
• The USB device is suspended: To save power, Windows suspends the USB device that remains inactive for a specific time. Sometimes, USB devices connected to the same USB hub become unresponsive or slow due to the Selective Suspend feature. Hence, the Selective Suspend may be one of the causes of this error.
• Hardware issues: It is also possible that the USB device showing the Port Reset Failed error has malfunctioned. You can confirm this by connecting the same device to another computer.

We have already seen how to fix Unknown USB Device, Set address failed and Descriptor Request Failed error messages, now let us see how to fix this one.

Quick Fixes for Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error

Before you proceed, we recommend you try some quick fixes, as sometimes the error is not as complicated as we think.

• Sometimes, restarting the computer fixes the issue. Restart your device.
• Disconnect and reconnect the USB device to your computer.
• Plug your USB device into another USB port of your computer.
• Connect another USB device to the same USB port and see if Windows detects it or not. If Windows recognizes another USB device on the same port, the USB device which was displaying the error may be damaged.
• Connect the USB device to another computer (if available). This step will let you know whether your USB device is damaged or not.
• If you have connected the USB device to your computer via an external USB hub, disconnect it from the hub and connect it to your computer’s USB port directly.

Fix Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error on Windows 11/10

If you have tried the quick fixes described above but the error still exists, you can try the following solutions to get rid of this error:

1. Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
2. Update your device driver.
3. Uninstall and reinstall all the Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
4. Disable USB Selective Suspend feature.
5. Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit.
6. Disable C State in your system BIOS.
7. Update your system BIOS.

1] Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

You may be experiencing this error due to hardware issues. Hence, running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter may help fix the problem.

2] Update your device driver

You may get this error message if your device driver is out of date. Hence, we suggest you update your device driver and see if it brings any difference.

The steps to update your device driver are as follows:

1. Launch the Device Manager.
2. Double-click on the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node to expand it.
3. Now, right-click on the affected device driver and then click Update driver.
4. Click on the Search automatically for drivers option. Windows will search for the latest driver available online and install it on your system.

Check if the issue is fixed.

If the issue still persists, repeat the first three steps and click on the Browse my computer for drivers option. Now, click on the Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer option and select the latest version of driver from the list (if available). Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions. After the completion of the installation process, exit Device Manager and restart your device. Now, check if your computer is able to recognize the USB device or not.

3] Uninstall and reinstall all the Universal Serial Bus Controllers

It is the USB Controller that lets a computer communicate with the connected USB devices. When the USB devices do not work properly or you see a yellow warning sign along with a message “Unknown Device” in the Device Manager, reinstallation of USB Controllers may fix the issue.

We have explained the process below:

1. Launch the Run dialog box by pressing Win + R keys. Now, type devmgmt.msc and click OK to launch the Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager, expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node.
3. Right-click on the USB Controller and select Uninstall device. You have to uninstall all the USB Controllers available there one by one.
4. After uninstalling the Controllers, restart your computer.
5. After a restart, Windows will automatically install the latest USB Controllers on your system.

Now, connect your USB device and check whether your system is able to recognize the device or not.

4] Disable USB Selective Suspend feature

The USB Selective Suspend feature lets Windows save power by suspending a particular USB device in case no activity is detected for a specific time. Windows wakes up the suspended USB device again if it detects any activity. Sometimes, Windows may not correctly wake up the suspended USB devices due to which users experience issues with the USB devices. Hence, disabling the USB Selective Suspend may help fix the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed error on Windows 11/10.

5] Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (applicable for Surface devices only)

Some Surface laptop users have complained that when they try to connect USB devices to their Surface Laptops via the Surface Dock, they get this error. According to them, uninstalling and reinstalling, updating, and disabling and re-enabling the device driver does not work.

If you are a Surface device user and are experiencing the same error, we suggest you run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit. The toolkit is designed by Microsoft for the Surface devices 3 and above. It helps users detect and solve the hardware and software problems on Surface devices.

To launch this toolkit, click on the Windows Search box, type Surface Diagnostic Toolkit, and select it. If you do not get it in the results, you have to download it from microsoft.com.

After launching the tool follow the on-screen instructions and let the tool complete the troubleshooting process. When the troubleshooting gets completed, check if the issue is fixed or not.

6] Disable C-state in your system BIOS

Each CPU has many power modes that are collectively called C-states. By default, the C-states are on. These are the power-saving states which help save energy when the CPU is left idle. The idea behind introducing C-states to computers was to cut clock signals and power from the CPU’s idle units. The C-states start with C0, which is the normal operating mode of the CPU. At C0 state, the CPU is completely turned on and is 100% active. With the increase in C number, the CPU sleeps deeper. When more signals are turned off, the CPU takes more time to return to the C0 state.

According to the users who received this error by connecting the Lenovo Thunderbolt Dock with the Lenovo laptop, disabling the C State from BIOS fixed the issue. If you have a computer of another brand, you can give this method a try. If it doesn’t work, we suggest you revert the changes in BIOS.

Do note that different brand computers may have a different process to disable the C-state in BIOS. Therefore, please check with your PC manufacturer to know the correct process to disable the C-state in BIOS.

7] Update your system BIOS

If you have tried all the above fixes but the issue still persists, we suggest you update your system BIOS.

Hope these solutions help.

Why does my computer say USB device not recognized?

When you connect your USB device to a Windows computer, it will be displayed in the Windows Explorer or File Manager only if your computer recognizes it. If after connecting the USB device, you get the following error message on your screen, you cannot access the device:

USB Device Not Recognized

You will get this error if:

• Your USB device has malfunctioned.
• The drivers are corrupted or outdated. In this case, you need to update or reinstall them.
• The USB port of your computer is faulty.
• Your computer’s USB Controllers are corrupted or become unstable.

How do I fix the Power Surge on my USB ports on Windows 10?

Power Surge is a condition in which a USB device connected to a particular USB port tries to draw more power than the maximum power the USB port supplies. When such a thing occurs, Windows alerts the user about it. Some users have reported that their USB port has stopped working after a Power Surge.

The first thing that you should do when you get this error message is run the Hardware and Devices & the USB troubleshooters. If the issue does not fix after running the troubleshooters, you should try other methods to fix the Power Surge on Windows 10.

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