How to Fix USB Driver Issues in Windows 11 and 10

When Windows shows "USB device not recognized" or a USB drive doesn't appear in File Explorer, the cause can be the port, the cable, power, or the device's driver. Work through the steps below in order. The first ones take seconds, and each one tells you more about where the problem is.

1. Try Another Port, Cable and Power Source

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Microsoft's first checks for USB problems are about the connection and power, not the driver.

1. Plug the USB device into a different USB port on your PC.
2. Connect it directly to your PC instead of through an external hub or dock.
3. If the device can use its own power supply, plug it into one.
4. On a laptop, plug your PC into power instead of running on battery.
5. Disconnect any USB devices you aren't using.

For USB-C, also check that your PC, the cable and the device all support the same USB-C features.

Expected result: if the device now works, the problem was the port, the hub or power, not the driver.

2. Check the Device in Device Manager

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1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Find the device. A USB drive is usually under Disk drives; USB ports and hubs are under Universal Serial Bus controllers. A device with a problem is marked with a yellow exclamation point.
3. Right-click the device and select Properties. The error code is shown under Device status.

Two codes you may see: Code 43 means "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems". Code 28 means the drivers for the device aren't installed. For both, Microsoft suggests the reinstall in the next step.

Expected result: you know whether Windows sees the device and which error, if any, it reports.

3. Uninstall the Device and Let Windows Reinstall It

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1. Save your work and close your apps.
2. In Device Manager, right-click the USB device and select Uninstall device, then confirm with Uninstall.
3. Unplug the device and wait a moment.
4. Restart your PC: right-click Start, then select Shut down or sign out > Restart.
5. Plug the device back in. Windows tries to reinstall its driver. You can also select Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager to make Windows look for it.

Expected result: the device appears again in Device Manager without a warning, and a USB drive shows up in File Explorer.

4. Update the Driver

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1. In Device Manager, right-click the device and select Update driver.
2. Select Search automatically for drivers (on Windows 10: Search automatically for updated driver software).
3. Then check Windows Update: select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Under Advanced options > Optional updates, install any driver updates listed.
4. Restart your PC.

On Windows 10, Windows Update is in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and optional driver updates appear under View optional updates.

Expected result: Windows installs a newer driver, or tells you the best driver is already installed.

5. Check a USB Drive for Errors

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If a USB drive is recognized but you can't open its files, Windows can check it for file system errors.

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar.
2. Right-click the USB drive and select Properties.
3. Select the Tools tab, then Check under Error checking, and follow the steps.

Expected result: Windows reports that no errors were found, or fixes the errors it found.

6. Get Chipset and USB Drivers From Your PC Maker

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Your PC's USB ports depend on drivers for its chipset and USB controllers. If the steps above don't help, go to your PC or motherboard maker's support page for your model and install the latest drivers for your version of Windows. Intel recommends using drivers from your computer manufacturer when they're available, and Microsoft advises downloading drivers only from the manufacturer's official website.

Expected result: the latest drivers from your PC maker are installed, and your USB ports work after a restart.

Still Not Working? What to Try Next

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• Test the device on another PC: if it doesn't work anywhere, the device or its cable may be faulty.
• Roll back a recent driver update: in the device's Properties, select Driver > Roll Back Driver. You need administrator rights.
• Contact the manufacturer: the maker of the device or your PC can help with a driver for your exact model.