Windows: Can't Connect a USB Device or Drive

If Windows isn't recognizing a USB device — like a flash drive, external hard drive, or peripheral — here's what to try. Step 1: Try a different USB port The port itself may be faulty. Try every available USB port on the computer. Step 2: Try the device on another computer This tells you if the problem is with the device or the computer. If the device works elsewhere, the issue is on your PC. Step 3: Restart the computer A simple restart often clears USB detection issues. Step 4: Check Device Manager 1. Right-click the Start button > Device Manager 2. Look for any yellow exclamation marks under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" or "Disk Drives" 3. Right-click the problem device > Update driver, or Uninstall device and then unplug/replug the USB device to reinstall Step 5: Check Disk Management (for drives not appearing) If it's a USB drive that's not showing up in File Explorer: 1. Right-click the Start button > Disk Management 2. If the drive appears here but has no drive letter, right-click it and assign a letter Step 6: Update USB drivers In Device Manager, right-click each item under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" and select "Update driver." Step 7: Check power settings Windows sometimes turns off USB ports to save power. 1. Open Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers 2. Right-click each "USB Root Hub" > Properties > Power Management 3. Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" If a USB hard drive is making clicking noises and not being recognized, stop using it immediately and call us — it may be failing.