HP Spectre x360 not recognizing external devices (external HHD and CD/DVD drive)

[Estlin]

Hi,

My Spectre x360 is not recognizing an external WD external HDD (plugged into one of the USB-C ports) and an external CD-DVD drive (plugged into the USB 3.0 port). (It has also not been recognizing my girlfriend's Dell docking station, either.) Nothing shows up in Windows Explorer, for example. On my other laptop, a Lenovo Yoga, there are no issues with the external devices. What might be wrong with the Spectre's configuration and what could I do to fix this problem?

Thank you.

[Jeet_singh]

@Estlin,

Thank you for posting your query on HP Community,

Is the external hard drive and optical drive working on a different port?

Are any other USB devices working on your PC?

While you respond, please follow the steps suggested in this support document for - HP PCs - Troubleshooting USB Connections (Windows 10, 😎

Let me know how it goes for further assistance.

I hope you have a great day! 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Estlin]

Hi,

I can now successfully connect the external hard drive and the external DVD Rom drive to my laptop using the laptop's USB 3.0 port. I cannot, however, use either of the USB type C ports to successfully connect either device. It would appear that the issue rests with those USB type C ports. What can I do to fix that issue?

[Jeet_singh]

In this scenario, I would suggest here is to update the Bios, Chipset and graphics card drivers on your PC either from our HP support website, using this link or download it using HP Support Assistant

Download and install HP support assistant on your PC. It should automatically download and install the latest updates and drivers for your PC.

Refer this link to know how to use HP support assistant.

I hope this should do the trick. Let me know how it goes for further assistance.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

[Estlin]

Thanks for the reply. The proposed fix (updating the drivers and BIOS) did not work, unfortunately. The Thunderbolt/USB-C ports still do not recognize any external device plugged into them. The ports are good only for charging.

Any other possible solution to this issue?

[Jeet_singh]

Let's try here to update the Intel Thunderbolt Controller driver from our HP support website, using this link.

Let me know the outcome!

Cheers 🙂

[Estlin]

That didn't work either, unfortunately. I uninstalled and reinstalled the driver too.

[Jeet_singh]

In this scenario, I would suggest you contact our HP support team for further assistance. 

HP support team can be reached on this link.

Take care and have a great day!

Cheers 🙂