My front USB 3 port started giving repeated audio alert (con... - HP Support Community

Mancunian_Nick · ‎10-13-2023

I've got 2 USB ports on the front of my Z420 workstation and have had a USB 3 extention hub fitted to the USB 3 for a while without any problems. I've recently had a couple of Windows10 updates but even after those I hadn't a problem *UNTIL* today about 70 minutes or so ago. I slept the PC as I often do but when I returned a short time later and woke it up again, I was getting this incessant, repeated audio alert and had no idea what it was or what was causing it! I did some Googling and it *appears* it's the USB connected/disconnected sound repeating over and over again. I can plus a USB 2 cable (ie battery charger for my vape) without issue but as soon as I try to connect the hub, it starts again! Is it a problem with the hub and if so how can I fix it? It wasn't giving me a problem previously. If it's something else, any help or advice would be *VERY* much appreciated! Thank you. Nick

PS If this is the wrong area, I apologise. It's more a hardware issue than an upgrade one I suppose.

erico · ‎10-15-2023

You should be using a powered Hub to prevent issues like what you are experiencing.

There are limits to the current that USB ports can supply and an unpowered hub may be drawing too much power.

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Mancunian_Nick · ‎10-15-2023

Thank you kindly for the reply and comments. However, as I think I said in my original post, it had been working just fine for a few weeks. Why would it suddenly start doing this now please?

erico · ‎10-15-2023

Because current draw above the maximum specification of a USB port will, over time, stress the components of a motherboard.

That is the case with all electrical and electronic devices. That is not something new. It is a big reason that circuit fail and USB ports in PCs stop functioning.

It has always been the case. Ask any Engineer or technical specialist in electrical/electronics.

Not just the chips, but also the circuit traces.

Previously in Windows we could see the maximum allowable current in milliamps a USB port could draw. Now we have to use devices or third party apps.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-check-power-output-of-a-usb-port-on-windows-10

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Mancunian_Nick · ‎10-15-2023

Ok I understand. Thank you again. Guess I'll have to send it back. It works just fine on my USB 2 port but I guess they don't need as much power? I'll make do with using them 'normally' and send the hub back. Much appreciated.

erico · ‎10-15-2023

You're welcome.

That is the reason that I only use powered hubs unless the USB port is a PD (power delivery) sleep and charge type.

There are icons on the ports of newer middle and upper tier laptop that have that feature.

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Mancunian_Nick · ‎10-15-2023

Yes I understand and, presumably, the Z420 doesn't have PD sleep and charge type ports being an older PC?

But just out of curiousity, why is it, do you think, this audio problem only started more recently and not as soon as I plugged it in a few weeks ago? Also if I plug it into the top port, it doesn't happen? Is it because USB 2 doesn't need as much power or the hub rather?

My front USB 3 port started giving repeated audio alert (connect/disconnect?) after recent update.

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