With a large portion of the world working remotely, and another portion in school, saving documents is extremely important in this day and age. USB devices are a common, cost effective method for storing documents externally, but like most other devices, they’re not perfect. Below are some reasons your USB device is not being recognized, and some tips for a solution.
Problem: All devices have their flaws, and USB devices are no different. There are several reasons a USB device may not be recognizable. For instance, the drive software may not be completely loading in the system, or your computer may need an update. IT could also be that the drive contains a malicious file which prevents the system from recognizing the device, or the root hub settings unrecognized the drive due to low system battery.
Solution: One simple, go-to method is restarting your computer. Next, make sure your computer and the USB device are up to date and free of any bugs. An outdated system can cause many problems with the computer and devices it’s connected to. Changing the USB’s Root Hub settings may resolve any permissions that were turned off to save power.
Some devices have more than one USB port, try using the drive on another port to fix the error, and make sure all ports are free of dust buildup, hair or anything that might be coating the port’s interior and covering up receptors. Another solution may be to change the USB selective suspended settings which may be suspending the USB automatically, preventing it from recognition.
Unfortunately, the problem may lie in a faulty driver, in which case the USB device may need to be reformatted or replaced altogether. In this day and age, an unrecognizable USB drive prevents you from accessing important documents and files, and may be the difference between a passing and failing grade, or whether or not you get that promotion. Whether it’s dusty ports, software updates or a faulty driver, unrecognizable USB devices can be a nightmare, and device maintenance is critical.