Knowledge base · practical guide
USB ports stopped working: what could be wrong?
A USB port that stops working is not automatically damaged. The accessory, cable, driver, power settings or the port itself may be involved.
Test the simple things
- Try a different USB device and cable.
- Test more than one port and notice whether the device gets power.
- Check the accessory on another computer if possible.
Possible causes
- The port may be dirty, loose or physically damaged.
- Windows drivers or power management may interfere.
- If several ports fail, an internal connection or motherboard may be involved.
Avoid further damage
- Do not insert metal objects into the port.
- If there was liquid damage or a recent impact, stop testing and arrange an inspection.
- If multiple ports fail, have the device checked.