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HP Recommended
Pavillion 570
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Has anyone else here or know of Hooking up external hard drive Storage/Backup Drives that all of a sudden your Computer does not recognize the USB connection and tells you it's Disconnected?  I can't figure this out or a way around it.  So my Backups are not being done.  Any ideas?

Forist .V. Johnson
1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
HP Recommended

@Foristj Here's a few things that you can do to resolve the issue, if the USB is frequently disconnecting on its own:

Perform the following steps, as applicable, to troubleshoot USB devices that are not working correctly:

  1. Power: If the USB device operates on battery power, make sure the batteries are correctly seated and are functional. If the USB device operates on external power, make sure all the power connections are secure and the power cord is connected to a power source.

  2. Test the USB connection: Sometimes, simply disconnecting and reconnecting the USB device to the computer can solve the problem:

    1. Disconnect all USB devices from the computer except a USB mouse and keyboard (if in use). This includes hubs, thumb drives, printers, and cameras.

    2. With all USB devices disconnected, do one of the following:

      • If you have a desktop computer, connect the device that is not working correctly to one of the USB ports on the back of the computer (the ports attached directly to the motherboard).

      • If you have a notebook computer, connect the device that is not working correctly to a USB port on the notebook. Do not use a USB port replicator (such as a docking station or USB hub).

    What happens when the device is connected?

    • The device works correctly: The problem is most likely related to power or poor overall system performance.

      NOTE: 

      To prevent the USB device from failing in the future: Do not connect too many devices to the computer; wait 5 seconds after connecting a device before using it; use powered hubs to connect other devices; and do not attach USB devices when the system is busy (running slower than normal).

    • The device does not work: Leave the device connected and continue to the next step.

  3. Installing USB manufacturer software: Some USB devices require manufacturer software be installed before the USB device will work.

    1. If the USB device came with software, and it was not previously installed, install the software now, following the manufacturer instructions.

    2. After installing manufacturer software, reconnect the USB device that was having problems.

    The device should now work correctly. If problems persist, continue to the next step.

  4. Microsoft easy fix solutions: Microsoft provides a web-based automatic diagnostic and repair application. Go to the How to use Microsoft easy fix solutions webpage (in English) and select the troubleshooter that most closely matches your issue. Then follow the on-screen instructions. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  5. Windows Update: Running Windows Update checks for operating system updates required for your computer. Go to Windows Update (in English) and follow the on-screen steps to check for updates, and opt in on all recommended and optional driver updates. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  6. Microsoft System Restore: If the USB device was previously working, then subsequently became unusable, try Microsoft System Restore to go back to a time prior to when the device failed. Refer to Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 10, 😎 for more information. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  7. Device Manager: You might be able to troubleshoot the problem using the Device Manager.

    In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

    Follow the instructions below, depending on how your device is listed in the Device Manager:

    • Unknown Device: A driver is not installed or was not set up correctly (Such as, when a USB device was removed while Windows was still setting it up as newly found hardware.). To correct this problem, uninstall and reinstall the driver for the device, as follows:

      1. Disconnect the device.

      2. Right-click Unknown Device, and select Uninstall.

        The Confirm Device Uninstall window opens.

      3. Click the box next to Delete the driver software for this device (if it is shown).

      4. Click OK.

      5. Restart the computer.

      6. Reinstall the device per the manufacturer instructions.

    • Other Device: The USB ports are working but device drivers need to be installed. To correct this problem:

      1. Disconnect the USB device, and wait 20 seconds.

      2. Install the drivers per the manufacturer instructions.

    • Device Name is shown: USB ports and basic plug-and-play are working correctly. There is a physical problem with the device or there is an issue with the device drivers. One of the following steps might resolve the problem:

      • Restart the computer and try connecting the USB device again.

      • Disconnect the USB device, uninstall the device software (if any), then reinstall the software.

      • Uninstall and reinstall the device as follows:

        1. With the device connected, right-click the name of the device in Device Manager and select Uninstall.

          The Confirm Device Uninstall window opens.

        2. Click the box next to Delete the driver software for this device (if it is shown).

        3. Click OK.

        4. After the name of the device is removed, disconnect the device and restart the computer.

        5. Try installing the device again per the manufacturer instructions.

      • If the device is a communication device, double-click the device name and set the COM port to a different number; from COM4 to COM3 for example.

    • Device is not listed: If the device is not listed at all, go to the next step.

  8. Uninstalling USB Root Hubs: Uninstalling USB Root Hubs forces the system to reinstall the root hubs next time the computer is started. Use the following steps to uninstall USB Root Hubs:

    1. Disconnect all USB devices connected to the computer except a USB mouse and keyboard (if in use). This includes hubs, thumb drives, printers, and cameras.

    2. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

      The Device Manager window opens.

    3. Double-click Universal Serial Bus Controllers to expand the list.

      Figure : Universal Serial Bus controllers list in Device Manager window

      Universal Serial Bus controllers list in Device Manager window
    4. Right-click the first USB Root Hub in the list, then select Uninstall.

      Figure : Uninstall selection in the Device Manager window

      Uninstall selection in the Device Manager window

      Click OK to confirm.

    5. Continue uninstalling all USB Root Hubs listed.

    6. Close Device Manager and restart the computer.

    7. If the USB device that is having problems came with software and it was not previously installed, install the software now, following the manufacturer instructions.

    8. Reconnect the USB device that was having problems and test it to see if it works.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

 

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us, 

have a good day, ahead.

Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee

View solution in original post

5 REPLIES 5
HP Recommended

@Foristj Here's a few things that you can do to resolve the issue, if the USB is frequently disconnecting on its own:

Perform the following steps, as applicable, to troubleshoot USB devices that are not working correctly:

  1. Power: If the USB device operates on battery power, make sure the batteries are correctly seated and are functional. If the USB device operates on external power, make sure all the power connections are secure and the power cord is connected to a power source.

  2. Test the USB connection: Sometimes, simply disconnecting and reconnecting the USB device to the computer can solve the problem:

    1. Disconnect all USB devices from the computer except a USB mouse and keyboard (if in use). This includes hubs, thumb drives, printers, and cameras.

    2. With all USB devices disconnected, do one of the following:

      • If you have a desktop computer, connect the device that is not working correctly to one of the USB ports on the back of the computer (the ports attached directly to the motherboard).

      • If you have a notebook computer, connect the device that is not working correctly to a USB port on the notebook. Do not use a USB port replicator (such as a docking station or USB hub).

    What happens when the device is connected?

    • The device works correctly: The problem is most likely related to power or poor overall system performance.

      NOTE: 

      To prevent the USB device from failing in the future: Do not connect too many devices to the computer; wait 5 seconds after connecting a device before using it; use powered hubs to connect other devices; and do not attach USB devices when the system is busy (running slower than normal).

    • The device does not work: Leave the device connected and continue to the next step.

  3. Installing USB manufacturer software: Some USB devices require manufacturer software be installed before the USB device will work.

    1. If the USB device came with software, and it was not previously installed, install the software now, following the manufacturer instructions.

    2. After installing manufacturer software, reconnect the USB device that was having problems.

    The device should now work correctly. If problems persist, continue to the next step.

  4. Microsoft easy fix solutions: Microsoft provides a web-based automatic diagnostic and repair application. Go to the How to use Microsoft easy fix solutions webpage (in English) and select the troubleshooter that most closely matches your issue. Then follow the on-screen instructions. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  5. Windows Update: Running Windows Update checks for operating system updates required for your computer. Go to Windows Update (in English) and follow the on-screen steps to check for updates, and opt in on all recommended and optional driver updates. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  6. Microsoft System Restore: If the USB device was previously working, then subsequently became unusable, try Microsoft System Restore to go back to a time prior to when the device failed. Refer to Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 10, 😎 for more information. If the device still does not work, go to the next step.

  7. Device Manager: You might be able to troubleshoot the problem using the Device Manager.

    In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

    Follow the instructions below, depending on how your device is listed in the Device Manager:

    • Unknown Device: A driver is not installed or was not set up correctly (Such as, when a USB device was removed while Windows was still setting it up as newly found hardware.). To correct this problem, uninstall and reinstall the driver for the device, as follows:

      1. Disconnect the device.

      2. Right-click Unknown Device, and select Uninstall.

        The Confirm Device Uninstall window opens.

      3. Click the box next to Delete the driver software for this device (if it is shown).

      4. Click OK.

      5. Restart the computer.

      6. Reinstall the device per the manufacturer instructions.

    • Other Device: The USB ports are working but device drivers need to be installed. To correct this problem:

      1. Disconnect the USB device, and wait 20 seconds.

      2. Install the drivers per the manufacturer instructions.

    • Device Name is shown: USB ports and basic plug-and-play are working correctly. There is a physical problem with the device or there is an issue with the device drivers. One of the following steps might resolve the problem:

      • Restart the computer and try connecting the USB device again.

      • Disconnect the USB device, uninstall the device software (if any), then reinstall the software.

      • Uninstall and reinstall the device as follows:

        1. With the device connected, right-click the name of the device in Device Manager and select Uninstall.

          The Confirm Device Uninstall window opens.

        2. Click the box next to Delete the driver software for this device (if it is shown).

        3. Click OK.

        4. After the name of the device is removed, disconnect the device and restart the computer.

        5. Try installing the device again per the manufacturer instructions.

      • If the device is a communication device, double-click the device name and set the COM port to a different number; from COM4 to COM3 for example.

    • Device is not listed: If the device is not listed at all, go to the next step.

  8. Uninstalling USB Root Hubs: Uninstalling USB Root Hubs forces the system to reinstall the root hubs next time the computer is started. Use the following steps to uninstall USB Root Hubs:

    1. Disconnect all USB devices connected to the computer except a USB mouse and keyboard (if in use). This includes hubs, thumb drives, printers, and cameras.

    2. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

      The Device Manager window opens.

    3. Double-click Universal Serial Bus Controllers to expand the list.

      Figure : Universal Serial Bus controllers list in Device Manager window

      Universal Serial Bus controllers list in Device Manager window
    4. Right-click the first USB Root Hub in the list, then select Uninstall.

      Figure : Uninstall selection in the Device Manager window

      Uninstall selection in the Device Manager window

      Click OK to confirm.

    5. Continue uninstalling all USB Root Hubs listed.

    6. Close Device Manager and restart the computer.

    7. If the USB device that is having problems came with software and it was not previously installed, install the software now, following the manufacturer instructions.

    8. Reconnect the USB device that was having problems and test it to see if it works.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

 

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us, 

have a good day, ahead.

Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

I accepted your Solution, but I don't believe that was the issue.  My computer has both 2.0 and 3.0 USB plugs, it seems That the 3.0 plug gives more issues than the 2.0 plug pertaining to Backups.  So I have the Cordless Keyboard and Mouse plugged into 3.0 plug and Backup plugged into 2.0 plug.  Thanks for the Help though.

Forist .V. Johnson
HP Recommended

@Foristj In other words, the USB ports are working fine with other devices? is that right? If yes, I suggest you check the hardware compatibility of the drives you have issues with and perhaps, check if they work on other devices.

Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

I will. Thanks.

Forist .V. Johnson
HP Recommended

@Foristj The pleasure is all mine, keep us posted with the results,

And have a good day, ahead.

Riddle_Decipher
I am an HP Employee

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.