My USB ports are not working again

[SuzannahLeigh]

Hello, can anyone help my for the 4th time now my HP firefly laptop usb ports have stopped working. I really need to be able to fix this myself or be able to identify the issue causing it. It I'd not pucking up my external hard drive or mouse but is still reading the charger and hdmi port. I have also recently sent this laptop in to be fixed by hp as it failed to turn on at all. But the usb issue has been happening since I first got the laptop. And it repair shops can't seem to give me a clear answer as to why. And help to fix this so I don't have to put it into a repair shop for another week would be greatly appreciated. 

[BeemerBiker]

Makes sure you have the latest bios, Aug 30, 2024 as it fixed a lot of USB problems

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-zbook-firefly-16-inch-g10-mobile-workstation-pc/model/210149...

The only other advice I can give is to be sure to use the eject feature

1 - before removing any flash drive or USB DVD drive

2 - use a powered usb3 or usb-c hub for your external disk drive and be sure to eject it before turning it off

3 - use iTunes to eject an iPhone even if you connect the iPhone to the laptop just to transfer video.

On external USB devices that do not have an eject (microphone , webcam, iPhone, Android, etc) if unplugged they may not work in the same usb port if plugged back in.  I have had to use a second or 3rd port in my 8 port USB-3 hub for example.

Your external drive may go do sleep if unused which is the same as being unplugged without being ejected.  This can lock up the port requiring a hard reset of the laptop.