Restart your PC and this must fix USB device not recognized by Windows 10 issue. Method 7: Uninstall Hidden Devices. Press Windows Key + X and click on Command Prompt (Admin). In the cmd type the following command and hit enter after each one: set DEVMGRSHOWDETAILS=1 set DEVMGRSHOWNONPRESENTDEVICES=1 start devmgmt.msc. Reboot the computer and see if it goes away. There was a major update to windows 10 in preparation for the anniversary update on Aug 2. If the computer is working OK, you can ignore the unnecessary device drivers. If some hardware is missing drivers, visit Dell Support Downloads and Drivers to check for updates.

  1. Other Devices Drivers Windows 10
  2. Other Devices Unknown Device Windows 10
  3. Unknown Device Has A Driver Problem Windows 10 Download
  4. Update Unknown Drivers Windows 10

Drivers bridge your devices to communicate with Windows. Windows 10 and earlier versions have inbuilt driver support for a multitude of devices, still, there are multiple hardware devices that require special drivers to be installed manually to work properly. That’s the reason hardware that’s installed or attached to a computer doesn’t work properly until it gets the required updated driver. It’s often because of an outdated driver problem. We’ve tried to compile few solutions on how to fix device driver issues in Windows 10.

If you download and install an incompatible, incorrect or infected driver for your device from unknown sources, there are possibilities that the device may not function and you may end up corrupting your system or encounter no-boot situation or data loss.

Expert users may be able to find and install latest drivers on their own with proper research on the internet however it is suggested to use a reliable source to update drivers and fix device driver issues in Windows 10. Though Windows few users are familiar with device manager however for those who are not aware how and where to find perfect device drivers, we have tested and reviewed the most robust device driver updater to identify & rectify device driver problems. Advanced Driver Updater is the most reliable, safe and secure driver updater software for all your computer peripherals that are connected to your Windows computer. It is downloaded and trusted by Millions of users to keep their system device drivers updated.

So without further distractions here are some ways to properly update device drivers on your computer.

How To Update Device Drivers Using Windows Update

Device drivers are first published on the manufacturer’s website, then on blogs, followed by download portals and at last, are updated in Windows Update library. Since Windows Updates library only includes tested and recommended drivers with verified procedure, it is recommended to download and install device drivers through Windows Updates.

You may follow these steps to quickly update device drivers using Windows Update:

Step 1. Open ‘Settings’ -> Go to ‘Update & Security’ -> Click on ‘Windows Update’

Step 2. Click on the ‘Check For Updates’ button to look for recent updates for all the installed devices.

Once you complete the above steps, if a device driver is missing or if there are any updated drivers available for installed devices, it’ll download and install them automatically.

How To Update Device Drivers Using Device Manager

Device Manager is the Windows utility which informs you about outdated, corrupt or uninstalled drivers. It shows Yellow Exclamation mark to outcast non-functional drivers. You can update drivers for the printer, monitor, wireless adapter, and other components of your computer using Device Manager. This is the best console where you can identify and fix device driver issues in Windows 10.

Install a Device Driver Using Microsoft Windows Library

You can follow these steps to update a device driver using Device Manager to fix device driver problem on Windows 10:

Step 1. Press ‘Win + R’ to open Run dialogue box.

Step 2. Type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and click on ‘Ok’ or press enter. You can also search for ‘Device Manager’ and select the top result.

Step 3. Expand the category of device you want to update the driver for.

Step 4. Right Click on the device, and click on ‘Update Driver’ option.

Step 5. Click on ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ option for Windows to look for the latest updated drivers.

Once you finish the step, Device Manager will search, download and install the updated package automatically. It works the same as the ‘Windows Update’ option.

Install A Device Driver From the Manufacturer

If the driver is too recent, it might not be available through ‘Microsoft Windows Updates’, in such scenarios you need to download and install the latest Device Drivers from the manufacturer’s website. This would be a manual process to follow.

While downloading an updated device driver from the manufacturer’s website, you need to be extra cautious and follow the instructions to download the ‘.exe’ OR ‘.zip’ driver file for the device. Once the driver is downloaded, follow these steps to install the same.

Step 1. Press ‘Win + R’ to open Run dialogue box.

Step 2. Type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and click on ‘Ok’ or press enter. You can also search for ‘Device Manager’ and select the top result.

Step 3. Expand the category of device you want to update the driver for.

Step 4. Right Click on the device, and click on ‘Update Driver’ option.

Step 5. Click on the ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option. Click on the ‘Browse’ button and select the folder where you have downloaded the driver. Click on the ‘Ok’ button to initiate the installation process.

Note: The updated driver shall start functioning on your device or may ask you to restart the system once to get the changes in place.

Using Advanced Driver Updater

Alternatively, you can use the best third party software to take care of your device drivers. It not only regularly checks for updated drivers but also installs them from trusted sources.

Advanced Driver Updater – Product Features

  • Schedule & scan the system for outdated device drivers
  • Display a summary of all outdated device drivers and option to update
  • Create a backup and system restore point of existing drivers before updating
  • The one-click process to automatically check, download and install updated drivers
  • Compatible with Windows 10 and earlier versions (Supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions)
  • 100% Risk-Free and genuine software with 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
  • Norton Secured and Google partnered software for a hassle-free solution
Device

How To Determine If A Driver Updated Successfully

It’s a quick and easy process to determine if all the device drivers are updated and functioning properly. We simply need to open the ‘Advanced Driver Updater’ console and run a driver scan. It will automatically scan, detect and display the driver status of all the devices and will suggest if there is an outdated device driver. Once you click on the ‘Update All’ button, it will automatically detect, download and install the latest updated drivers for all devices connected to your computer.

Update outdated drivers of your system with Advanced Driver Updater.

Let’s try it Today by downloading the 1-day free trial version of Advanced Driver Updater!!

Summing Up

Here we have discussed the manual process and automatic process to download and install the latest updated device drivers and fix device driver issues in Windows 10. Those who believe they can look for outdated drivers every now and then can follow the manual process and those who want to set up a smart and automated process, ‘Advanced Driver Updater’ is the best solution. We hope this article helped you in making smart decisions to fix device driver problem. Please share your experience with ‘Advanced Driver Updater’ and leave a comment for any suggestions.

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This page offers six solutions to fix the USB device not recognized issue in Windows 10/8/7/XP. If you get this error message 'The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, Windows does not recognize it' or you cannot open your device, accessing data, read this article to fix this issue without data loss.

6 Fixes| USB Device Malfunctioned and Not Recognized

This page unveils six solutions to fix the 'USB device malfunctioned and is not recognized' issue. If you are having this USB device error, don't worry. Pick up any method below to make your USB recognizable and work again.

Workable SolutionsStep-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Unplug ComputerShut down computer > Unplug the power cable > Replug and restart the computer a few minutes later...Full steps
Fix 2. Change USB Cable/PortCheck the available USB cables and ports one by one > If USB cable or ports itself is damaged, change it ...Full steps
Fix 3. Update Device DriverOpen Disk Management > Expand 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' > Right-click 'Generic USB Hub'...Full steps
Fix 4. Fix Root HubOpen Device Manager > Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Right-click USB Root Hub...Full steps
Fix 5. Change USB SettingsRight-click Windows icon and select 'Power Options' > 'Change plan settings' > 'Change advanced...'...Full steps
Fix 6. Reinstall USB DriverOpen Device Manager > Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Locate USB drivers...Full steps

'USB device not recognized' is an error that usually occurs to the Windows computer when you plug in a USB device. Here, the USB device mentioned by Windows is a general concept, not limited to a USB hard drive or flash drive, but other devices using a USB port for connection, including a USB mouse, keyboard, Android phone, camera, printer, etc. When Windows generates such an error, the USB will not show up on your computer. As a result, you can't open your device or access your data. In different situations, the error is followed by different messages.

'The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it.'

'One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it. For assistance in solving this problem, click this message.'

The USB device malfunctioned and not recognized error has frustrated a large number of users. If you are one of the victims, here are some fixes you can try to resolve the issue and make your device detected.

How to Fix USB Device Not Recognized in Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista

If your device is not recognized at the moment, you can try the below six solutions to make it show up again. You don't have to try every method, but we strongly recommend you follow the sequence, which our experts have tried many times.

Fix 1. Unplug your computer to fix the USB device malfunctioned

It sounds like a piece of cake thing to do, but it works! For most of not recognizing USB gadgets, there is typically nothing wrong. A computer restart could solve it. This way is meant to reboot the motherboard, which has all of the computer hardware connected to, including the USB ports. Rebooting the motherboard usually helps solve the temporary insufficient power supply for outside devices.

Step 1. Cut your computer power at its source, which is unplugging your computer from the wall outlet.

Step 2. Leave the computer alone for a few minutes, and then replug it in the wall outlet for a restart.

Step 3. Now check if the computer is able to detect the USB device and assign a drive letter to it.

If this fix failed, don't panic, the next methods are also doable.

Fix 2. Change the USB cable or USB port to Fix USB device not recognized

Is the computer's USB port working properly? You need to check the available USB ports one by one to see whether it is a computer hardware problem or a problem with the device itself. If changing to another port solves the problem, then there is something wrong with the previous port. You can give up that broken port, or send your computer for repair.

Fix 3. Update/Rollback a device driver if the USB device not recognized

Device Manager operation is another widely suggested way to troubleshoot a non-recognizable USB device on Youtube and IT forums. Does this method apply to your situation? Go on to have a check.

Step 1. Type device manager in the search box to open Device Manager.

Or you can press Windows + R keys simultaneously to bring up the Run box, then type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.

Step 2. Expand 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' and you will see the item called 'Generic USB Hub'. Righ-click on the first Generic USB Hub and choose Properties.

Step 3. Now, navigate to the 'Driver' tab, choose 'Update Driver...'.

Step 4. When asked how do you want to search for driver software, there are two options.

1. Search automatically for updated driver software

This way is an automatic update by Windows. When it finished, all you need to do is to disconnect the USB device, restart the computer and reconnect it again. Windows will install the latest driver for you.

2. Browse my computer for driver software

When you choose this option, you need to continue with the other pop up 'let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.'

From the list, select Generic USB hub, which normally the only choice. Click 'Next' and then Windows will install the driver for you.

Tip
If updating the driver doesn't help solve the USB device problem, don't suspend though, try to update each Generic USB Hub until updated them all for once.

In the same path to update the driver, you can also try to roll back to the previous driver before the error occurs. Instead of selecting 'Update Driver' in the 'Driver' tab, choose 'Roll Back Driver' this time.

Problem

The changes made on the computer power and the device driver should take effect, and your USB device will no longer report issues. Otherwise, try the rest three methods one by one.

Fix 4. Fix USB Root Hub to Fix USB drive not recognized

The USB root hub is the software driver that lets you connect multiple USB peripherals to your computer. Most computers have multiple root hubs so you can share the data bus across multiple devices. So if the computer cannot recognize your USB drive, you can try to fix the USB root hub.

Step 1. Open Device Manager. Find the Universal Serial Bus controllers option and single click it to expand.

Step 2. Find the USB Root Hub option in this category. Right-click it and choose Properties.

Step 3. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' option. Then click OK to save your change.

Fix 5. Change the USB Selective Suspend Settings

Another possible reason why your USB got malfunctioned is the hub driver suspends the USB automatically. In this case, change the USB selective suspend settings could help.

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon and click Power Options.

Step 2. In the Choose or customize a power plan windows, click Change plan setting

Step 3. In the Edit Plan Settings window, click Change advanced power settings.

Step 4. In the Power Options window, find and expand USB settings, expand USB selective suspend settings and Disable both On battery and Plugged in settings.

Step 5. Then Click Apply and OK to save the settings.

Fix 6. Uninstall USB device driver to make USB recognized

Being different from the options of updating or degrading the driver version, uninstalling the driver could result in a total disability of all the USB ports. So take care of this last-try method.

Step 1. Open Device Manager (Right Click on Windows Logo and Click Device Manager).

Step 2. Now find and expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Now right-click on USB drivers and click Uninstall. Do for all USB drivers one by one.

Step 3. Now, restart your PC. The USB drivers are automatically re-install and solve the corrupted USB devices problem.

DeviceWin

Further Troubleshooting: Data Recovery

Those six ways we mentioned above are all the possible ways said to be helpful to fix the 'USB device malfunctioned and not recognized' error.

If one of the fixes worked, you should be able to access your USB and use the saved data again.

What if you opened the USB drive but find something missing? You need third-party software to retrieve your data. Here, EaseUS disk data recovery can help even when your USB device is listed in disk management but not showing up on your computer. The program works well in Windows 10/8/7/XP and other previous versions.

Step 1. Run USB data recovery software.

Connect the USB flash drive to your computer and launch EaseUS USB data recovery software on your PC. Select your USB drive which marks as a removable disk, and click 'Scan' to start finding your lost files.

Step 2. Scan all lost files from USB.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will thoroughly scan your USB flash drive and find all your lost data on it. After the scanning process, use the Filter feature to filter a specific file type. You can check and preview found USB files in this program.

Step 3. Restore all lost files from USB.

A double-click will allow you to preview the file results. Choose the target files and click 'Recover' to save them to a secure location on your PC or other external storage devices.

To retrieve data from USB devices, we suggest you save retrieved files to another secure location in case of further problems.

Format USB to NTFS/FAT32 and recreate partition on USB

Other Devices Drivers Windows 10

Some people encountered more serious issues than once. They said the same USB device starts malfunctioning again after a short period of time after the repair. If this is the case, formatting and recreating a new partition can help.

  • Connect the USB to the PC, right-click on This PC/My Computer and select Manage.
  • Enter Device Manager, select Disk Management, locate and right-click on your malfunctioned USB, and select Format volume...
  • Complete the Format process and set the file system to NTFS or FAT32.

Other Devices Unknown Device Windows 10

Now you can check if the USB shows up in your computer or not, if not, continue with the steps below:

Unknown Device Has A Driver Problem Windows 10 Download

  • Open Disk Management, right-click on USB and select Delete Volume, complete the process.
  • When USB shows as unallocated, right-click on it and select New Simple Volume, set the drive letter and file system (NTFS/FAT32) for it, and complete the process.
Other

Update Unknown Drivers Windows 10

After this, you should access the USB drive on your PC and save data on it again.