OMEN 35L USB ports not Powering two external portables HDDs

[VendicatoreA]

I recently got a new OMEN 35L desktop, and I’ve noticed an issue with the top USB-A ports on the case when connecting two external portables HDDs simultaneously: as soon as I plug them in together, File Explorer freezes, and the drives start repeatedly connecting and disconnecting. I can also hear mechanical noises coming from the HDDs, as if they are struggling to spin up.

When I connect them to the rear USB ports or use a powered USB hub, they seem to work fine.

Is this a normal limitation of the case’s USB ports, or could there be a problem with my system’s configuration?

BIOS version/date is AMI F.10 27/02/2025, it has been downloaded through Windows Update.

Thanks for any insights!

[TheOldMan]

The front USB ports are limited to the amount of power that can be supplied.  It sounds as though the two external HDD's are exceeding that power limit.  As you have already found , the external HUB can power the external drives be cause the HUB has a more robust power source for the USB ports than the front USB ports on the OMEN.  This is a normal condition, so no need to be concerned.

[VendicatoreA]

Thanks for the reply.

However, I noticed that even with only one portable HDD connected to a front USB-A port, it disconnects and reconnects immediately apparently when it consumes over a certain level of power.

Is this really an ordinary behavior?
It seems that the front USB-C port doesn’t have this issue.

[TheOldMan]

It could very well be normal.  If it is preforming normally when connected to the Hub, then just run the external HDD's connected to  the Hub.  Depending in the design of the PC, USB-C ports may be designed to power external devices while the USB 2.0 ports are not.