How to Fix a USB Device That Keeps Disconnecting on Windows

This guide is for anyone whose USB device keeps disconnecting on Windows, whether it’s a mouse, webcam, external drive, or audio interface that randomly drops and reconnects. By the end, you’ll know how to stop the power-saving features that usually cause this, update the right drivers, and rule out hardware problems so the device stays connected reliably.

Before you start:

• These steps apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11; a few menu names may look slightly different depending on your exact build.
• You’ll need an administrator account to change power settings and reinstall drivers.
• No personal data is deleted by any of these fixes, but uninstalling USB controllers will temporarily disconnect every USB device until you restart.
• Have your device’s manufacturer support page bookmarked in case you need a dedicated driver later.

Why USB devices randomly disconnect

Before jumping into fixes, it helps to know what’s usually going on. Microsoft’s own troubleshooting notes point to a handful of common causes: the device or port may simply be faulty, your PC may not be able to supply enough power to the device (especially if it’s on battery or already powering several other accessories), or Windows’ USB Selective Suspend feature is putting the device to sleep and failing to wake it back up correctly. That last one is the most frequent culprit, and it’s also the easiest to rule out first.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

USB Selective Suspend is designed to save battery life by letting Windows turn off USB devices when they’re idle. If the hub or device mishandles waking back up, Windows thinks it was unplugged. Disabling this setting is risk-free and worth trying before anything else.

1. Type Control Panel in the Start menu search bar and select the best match.
2. Press the View by drop-down menu and select Large icons.
3. Select Power Options, then Change plan settings.
   

   

4. Select Change advanced power settings.
   

   

5. In the list, locate and expand USB settings.
   

   

6. Expand USB selective suspend setting and disable both the On battery and Plugged in options.
   

   

7. Press Apply, then OK.
8. Restart your PC to save the changes.

Faster route via Run

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type powercfg.cpl and press Enter.
3. Click Edit Plan Settings, then Change advanced power settings.
4. Find USB settings, expand it, and disable both selective suspend options.

Turn off power management on USB root hubs

Even with selective suspend disabled in Power Options, individual USB hub drivers in Device Manager have their own power-saving switch. Turning this off keeps every hub powered at all times.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand it.
   

   

3. Right-click a USB driver (usually listed as a Root Hub) and select Properties.
   

   

4. Switch to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
   

   

5. Hit OK.
6. Repeat this for every USB driver listed under that category.
7. Restart your PC and test the device again.

Reinstall the USB controllers

If the problem persists, removing and letting Windows reinstall the USB controller drivers can clear out a corrupted or misbehaving driver.

1. Open Device Manager (Windows + X).
2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
3. Right-click each entry under this category and select Uninstall device, one at a time.
4. Restart your computer; Windows will automatically reinstall the controllers.
5. Plug the USB device back in and test it.

All USB devices will briefly disconnect during this process, but nothing is deleted.

Update drivers, Windows, and BIOS

With the power settings sorted, make sure the rest of the system is current.

• Update USB drivers: In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB Root Hub, and choose Update driver > Search automatically for updated driver software. If you prefer a full refresh across your system, our guide to updating drivers on Windows 11 covers every method.
• Check for Windows updates: You can confirm your build and install any pending updates using our guide to checking your Windows 11 version and updating it.
• Update BIOS/motherboard firmware: Visit your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support page, search by your exact model or serial number, and download the latest chipset drivers and BIOS update if one is available.

Hardware and basic checks

If software fixes don’t help, rule out the physical side of things:

• If you’re using a USB hub, plug the device directly into the computer instead.
• Test the device on another computer; if the problem follows it, the device itself is likely faulty.
• If the device supports external power, connect it to its own power source.
• Plug a laptop into AC power rather than running on battery, and disconnect any USB devices you’re not actively using.
• Power-cycle the PC: shut down, unplug the power cables, hold the power button for 30 seconds, then reconnect and power back on before testing the USB device again.

If it still doesn’t work

For stubborn cases, Microsoft support notes two further options. A Clean Boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can reveal whether a third-party app or driver is interfering; official steps for this are on Microsoft’s support site. You can also try disabling Fast Startup: open Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable, then uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).

FAQ

Why does my USB device disconnect and reconnect repeatedly?

The most common cause is Windows’ USB Selective Suspend feature putting the device to sleep and failing to wake it properly. Power limitations, a faulty cable or port, and outdated drivers are the other frequent causes.

Will uninstalling USB controllers delete my files or settings?

No. Uninstalling the controllers in Device Manager only removes the driver software; Windows reinstalls it automatically on restart, and no personal data is affected.

Is it safe to disable USB Selective Suspend permanently?

Yes, for most people. The only trade-off is slightly higher power use, since USB devices stay fully powered instead of sleeping when idle.

What if the device works fine on another computer?

If a device behaves normally on a different PC, the issue is on your system, not the accessory. Focus on the power settings, driver, and Windows update steps above rather than replacing the device.

Source: Microsoft Support