Problems with USB A port

[Rourou_LB]

Bonjour.

Plusieurs fois par jour, l'explorateur de fichiers m'ouvre un disque dur externe (port USB-A de droite).
Savez-vous pourquoi, SVP ?

J'ai fait les mises à jour Windows et HP.

D'avance merci pour votre réponse.
Bonne journée !


Hi !

Several times a day, File Explorer opens an external hard drive (USB-A port on the ride side).
Do you know why, please ?

I have updated the computer (HP updates and Windows updates).

Thank you in advance for your answer (reply).

Have a nice day !

[Max3Aj]

@Rourou_LB, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

The issue where File Explorer automatically opens your external hard drive multiple times a day can be caused by several factors. Here are some possible reasons and troubleshooting steps:

Possible Causes and Solutions:

AutoPlay Settings

>Windows may be set to open File Explorer automatically when a USB device is connected.

>Go to Settings → Devices → AutoPlay

>Check if AutoPlay is enabled for external drives.

>If so, set it to "Take no action" or "Ask me every time".

USB Connection Issues

>A loose USB connection or a failing cable can cause Windows to repeatedly detect and "reconnect" the drive.

>Try using another USB port or a different cable.

Power Management (USB Selective Suspend)

>Windows may turn off the USB port to save power, causing reconnections.

>Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings

>Click Change advanced power settings.

>Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting, and disable it.

Drive Errors (Check Disk)

>The external hard drive might have errors, making Windows re-scan it.

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

• chkdsk /f X:

(Replace X: with the drive letter of your external hard drive)

 Background Software or Malware

>Check if any software is triggering File Explorer (e.g., backup/sync apps like OneDrive, Google Drive).

>Run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender or another security program.

Corrupt Explorer Settings

>Try resetting File Explorer settings:

>Open File Explorer Options (Control Panel → File Explorer Options).

>Click Restore Defaults under the General and View tabs.

Windows Event Viewer Logs

>Check Windows Event Viewer for logs related to USB disconnections.

>Press Win + X → Click Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System

>Look for "USB device disconnected" or "Device Manager" events.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted 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! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Rourou_LB]

Hello Max3Aj.

Thank you !

Let me try to... what in fact ?
My Windows is in french.

1) I have put "Ask me every time" in "Autoplay Settings".
2) The right (and not "ride", sorry !) USB port (USB-A) may disfunction (not work properly). But how can I really check ?
The 2 others are working fine (a USB-A and a USB-C).
3) I have no "USB Settings" in "Power Options", "Change Plan Settings"...
4) The hard drive is quite new (maximum 2 months). I have scanned the disk ("Chkdsk" or "Error checking") and found no error.
5) I have a OneDrive account but I don't send files every day.
5 bis) No virusses with Norton. Do I have to check with Windows Defender ?
6) Control Panel -> File Explorer Options : I don't have found this...
7) Windows Event Viewer Logs : it is quite big ! But there is a search field.
I have "USB device highly using power supply when system is inactive" and/or "Surprise removal".

I hope this could help you to help me.

Please have a nice evening or day !

[Rourou_LB]

Hi again !

Windows Defender is a firewall, not specificly an antivirus.
I use ZoneAlarm firewall (free version) and Norton Antivirus.

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@Rourou_LB, Thank you for your response. 
Thanks for the detailed feedback! Based on what you found, it seems likely that the right-side USB-A port is unstable, causing intermittent disconnections. Let’s go step by step to investigate further:

1️⃣ USB Port Diagnostic – How to Check if It's Failing

Since you suspect the right-side USB-A port, try these tests:

Test 1: Check for Disconnect/Reconnect Sounds

Plug in your external hard drive to the right-side USB port.

Listen for the Windows USB connect/disconnect sound.

If you frequently hear the sound without physically touching the drive, the port is unstable.

Test 2: Use Another Device in That USB Port

Plug a different USB device (USB stick, another external drive, mouse, etc.).

If the new device also disconnects/reconnects randomly, the USB port is likely faulty.

Test 3: Device Manager – Look for USB Errors

Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).

Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

Look for any yellow warning triangles (⚠️) or devices with "Unknown Device".

If found, right-click → Uninstall the device, then restart your PC.

2️⃣ Missing USB Power Settings – Fix This

You mentioned that USB Settings is missing in Power Options. Let's enable it:

Option 1: Using Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt (Admin) (Win + X → Command Prompt (Admin)).

Copy-paste this command and press Enter:

1. powercfg -attributes SUB_USB 2a737441-1930-4402-8d77-b2bebba308a3 -ATTRIB_HIDE

Now check Power Options again (Control Panel → Power Options → Advanced settings) and look for USB Selective Suspend.

Option 2: Check BIOS Settings

Restart your laptop and press F10 during startup to enter BIOS.

Look for Power Management Settings.

If there's an option like "USB power management", try disabling it.

Save changes and restart.

3️⃣ Windows Event Viewer Logs – What Do They Mean?

Your Event Viewer showed:

"USB device highly using power supply when system is inactive"

"Surprise removal" (This means Windows lost connection to the USB drive unexpectedly)

This suggests: ✔️ The USB port may not provide stable power
✔️ The external drive might be drawing too much power

🔹 Solution: Disable USB Power Saving

Open Device Manager.

Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

Find the USB Root Hub (there may be multiple).

Right-click → Properties → Power Management tab.

Uncheck: Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Click OK, then restart your PC.

4️⃣ Firewall & Antivirus – Should You Check with Windows Defender?

You're using Norton Antivirus + ZoneAlarm Firewall (good choice!).

Windows Defender still includes Windows Security (Microsoft Defender Antivirus).

It’s a good idea to do an extra scan, just in case:

Open Windows Security (Win + S → type "Windows Security").

Click Virus & threat protection → Quick Scan.

5️⃣ File Explorer Options – How to Find It

In French, you’ll find it as Options de l'Explorateur de fichiers:

Open Panneau de configuration.

Search for Explorateur de fichiers.

Click Options de l'Explorateur de fichiers.

Click Restaurer les paramètres par défaut.

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support

[Rourou_LB]

@Max3Aj : Hello !

This friday morning, no special problem on the right-side USB-A.

Autoplay : Active. And I have put "Ask me every time".
Trying another port : OK. Not disconnected.

Control Panel -> Power options : not found today, but maybe well yesterday. Maybe I have fixed the problem.

CHKDSK /F : no errors. But sometimes I hear a little "clic" or "tic".
Hey ! It's a new hard drive !!!

Full antivirus scan (with Norton) : no problem.
Triggering program : ???? (I don't know).

File Explorer Options : not found in Control Pannel...
Event viewer : sorry, but the listing is too long... Even with a filter !

I have made all updates (Windows and HP).
By the way, why do I always have the same HP updates everytime I check here : "https://support.hp.com/fr-fr/drivers/hpdiaclosure/hp-17-laptop-pc-17-c2000/model/2101006375" ?

So, this morning, no problems !
But... Wait and see !
I don't know if you can close this topic.

Please have a nice day !

[Max3Aj]

Hello @Rourou_LB! 😊

Glad to hear that this morning, everything is working fine! 🎉

It sounds like some of the steps may have fixed the issue, especially the power settings or Windows updates.

🚀 For now, let's observe for a day or two.
If the issue comes back, you know where to find me! 😃

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” button to say thanks!

Have a great day too! 🌞

Max3Aj

HP Support

[Rourou_LB]

Hello @Max3Aj !

Thank you !
I could close this topic and give you a thumb up or more.

I am just wondering...
It is normal that I receive the same 16 or 17 updates from https://support.hp.com/fr-fr/drivers/hp-17-laptop-pc-17-c2000 every day ?

Those updates are quite long to be dowloaded and installed...

Please have a nice week-end or week !

[Max3Aj]

Hey @Rourou_LB, You're very welcome! 😊

About the Repeating HP Updates

No, it's not normal to keep getting the same 16-17 updates every day from HP's website. Here are a few possible reasons and fixes:

1️⃣ Check If the Updates Actually Installed

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Update history.

Check if the HP updates show up as installed.

If they don’t, they might not be applying correctly, so HP keeps offering them.

2️⃣ Manually Install Updates from HP

Instead of installing through HP Support Assistant, try downloading and installing them manually:

Go to HP’s website: HP 17-c2000 drivers.

Download only the essential drivers (like BIOS, chipset, and graphics).

Install them one by one.

Restart after each update to make sure they apply.

3️⃣ Clear HP Software Data

Sometimes HP Support Assistant doesn't recognize installed updates and keeps offering them again. Try this:

Open HP Support Assistant.

Go to Settings → Clear update history.

Restart your laptop and check for updates again.

4️⃣ Disable HP Support Assistant’s Auto-Updates (if it’s annoying you)

Open HP Support Assistant → Settings.

Turn off automatic updates and update only when necessary.

Let me know if this helps! 😊
And thank you for the thumbs-up 👍—I really appreciate it!

If my response helped resolve your issue, kindly click “Accepted Solution” — it will help others find their way to the solution as well. And if you’d like to show appreciation, clicking the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” at the bottom right will let me know!

Take care and have an amazing day ahead!

Warm regards,

Max3Aj

HP Support

[Rourou_LB]

Hello Max3Aj !

Sorry if I repeat myself !

It is Sunday 5.48 AM and I don’t sleep anymore (knowing that we have lost one hour this night).

All those solutions are great but, in control panel, I have not found « File Explorer » (Explorateur de fichier).

Very long time ago, we had a lot of icons, now we have groups of applications or programs. So I don’t find « Explorateur de fichiers » in « Panneau de configuration »…

I don’t remember having had some disconnections of my external hard drive on the right-side USB-A yesterday.

I could close this topic if I was sure everything was working properly.

But receiving all the updates (the same) every day is not funny at all !!!

What a time loss (or lost) !!!

Please have a nice day !