Windows 10 & 11 users have reported a new Unknown USB Device error which has started to show up suddenly. The Unknown USB Device error says Device Descriptor Failure or Device Descriptor Request Failed, and a USB device is no more recognized by the Windows. This can also happen with an SD Card and the computer will no more read the SD card when it is inserted in the card slot.
If your USD device has suddenly stopped working, or if you are getting this error, there is nothing to worry anymore. We will help you fix this problem and error using our methods. Simply follow and perform the methods one by one, until the issue is fixed.
How to Fix Error USB Device Descriptor Failure
The error can occur due to different reasons. So, you may have to try a number of methods, before it gets fixed. Perform these methods to solve the problem. Before going to try the methods , just Note that If you’re using a USB hub, or have mixed 2.0 and 3.0 USB ports, just try plugging your USB device directly into the 3.0 port and see if it works.
Fix 1 – Connect the USB to another port
Check if there is an issue with your USB device by inserting it into another USB port or another Computer.
Fix 2 – Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings
In this method, we will try to fix the issue by disabling USB Selective Suspend Settings. A number of users have found that performing this method has worked for them. Follow the steps to perform this method.
Step 1. Search edit power plan in Windows 10 search box. Click on search result.
Step 2 – Click on change advanced power settings.
Step 3. It will open a small Power Options window. Here, look for USB Settings and expand it.
Step 4. Now, expand USB selective suspend setting. You need to change the status of all the entries to Disabled. After that, click on Apply and then on OK.
Fix 3 – Turn Off Fast Startup
In this method, we will try to fix the problem by turning off fast startup. A number of users have reported that this method has worked for them. Windows 10 boots up very quickly, and due to this many (external) USB devices are not getting recognized by Windows. Follow the steps to perform this method.
Step 1 – Press Windows key + R together to open run.
Write powercfg.cpl in it and click OK.
Step 2. click on Choose what the power button does. It is located on the left side of the window.
Step 3. Now, select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Step 4. Here, you need to unmark the box beside Turn off fast startup (recommended). It is located under Shutdown settings. After that, click on Save changes.
Step 5. Now restart your computer.
After restarting the computer, check if the problem is solved. If the issue still persists, try the next method.
Fix 4 – Reinstall Unknown USB Device Driver
In this method, we will uninstall the drivers of the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure). Faulty drivers can cause this error as well. This could have happened as Windows automatically updates the drivers through Windows update, and it could have installed wrong or corrupt drivers. So, in this method, we will uninstall the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure) drivers so that it can roll back to default drivers. Follow the steps to perform this method.
Step 1. Open Device Manager. To open Device Manager, right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Now, look for Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure) item with yellow sign. It is located under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Expand it and right-click on Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure). Click on Uninstall device.
Step 3. Now, unplug the USB device from your computer, if it wasn’t already unplugged, and plug it back in the USB slot.
Step 4. Scan for hardware changes. On the Device Manager window, click on Scan for hardware changes.
Windows will now reinstall the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure) drivers. This should fix the issue. If the problem is still not solved, try the next method.
Fix 5 – Update USB Device’s Drivers
In this method, we will try to fix the issue by updating the drivers. This could fix the problem as rolling them back didn’t help you in the last method, so most probably the drivers are outdated on your computer. Follow the steps to perform this method.
Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Now, look for Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failed) from the list. It is located under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Expand it and right-click on Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Failure). Click on Update Driver.
Step 3. Click on Search automatically for updated driver software.
Now the Windows will download and install the latest drivers for the troubled USB device. When the process is complete, restart your computer and you will be free of the error.
Fix 6 – Troubleshoot the Error
In the first method, we will try to fix the issue using Windows Troubleshoot. Windows Troubleshoot is Windows’ inbuilt tool that searches for issues and fixes them. Many users have fixed the error using this method. Follow the steps to fix the problem.
Step 1. Open Troubleshoot. To open Troubleshoot, Go to Cortana and type Troubleshoot. Select Troubleshoot from results.
Step 2. The last step will open a Troubleshoot window. Here, click on Hardware and Devices.
Step 3. Now the Windows will check for issues. When the process is done, click on Apply this Fix or Apply Repair Automatically, whichever appears.
Step 4. After applying the fix, you just need to restart your computer.
This should fix the problem. If you are still facing the problem, follow the next method.
If this method didn’t work for you and you are still stuck with the error, try the next method.
Fix 7 – Uninstall USB Root Hub Drivers
In this method, we will try to fix the issue by uninstalling the drivers for USB Root Hub devices. The Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers after restarting the computer. Follow the steps to perform this method.
Step 1. Right-click on the Start menu button and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Expand Universal Bus Controllers. Here, right-click on the first USB Root Hub select Uninstall device.
Step 3. Repeat the above step for remaining USB Root Hub devices.
Step 4. Restart your computer.
Fix 8 – Reinserting The power supply
If the problem is caused due to Power Supply, this method can instantly fix the problem. This method is suitable for laptop only.
1. Remove all the Power supply plug from your Laptop so that it starts running on its internal battery only.
2. Now, Insert the USB device again.
After performing the restart, the Windows will recognize USB Root Hubs as the new devices and will install its drivers automatically. This should fix the problem. Connect your USB device in the USB slot, it will work properly now.
We hope we were able to help you fix this issue using our methods. If you fixed this issue using some other method, or if you have any questions regarding the issue, please mention them below in comments.