USB port issue

[KatyJ1974]

My daughter is having issues with USB ports. She had an error message saying the last USB device connected malfunctioned and windows does not recognise it. When she turns the laptop on it makes the noise of a USB connecting and disconnecting even though there is nothing connected to either USB port. We have restarted the laptop with nothing in either USB drive but nothing seems to work. Any suggestions on how to fix this would be greatly appreciated Thank you

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @KatyJ1974 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

That sounds really frustrating—especially when the laptop insists something’s connecting and disconnecting even though nothing’s plugged in. Let’s try a few steps to calm down those phantom USB noises and get things working properly again.

🧠 What Might Be Happening

• A ghost device could be stuck in the system’s memory
• A driver glitch might be causing Windows to misinterpret signals
• A power management setting could be toggling USB ports off and on
• Or there could be a hardware fault like a loose internal connection

🛠️ Step-by-Step Fixes to Try

Reset USB Controllers

• Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager)
• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
• Right-click each item and choose Uninstall device
• Restart the laptop—Windows will reinstall fresh drivers automatically

Disable USB Power Saving

• In Device Manager, right-click each USB Root Hub
• Go to Properties > Power Management
• Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
• Repeat for all USB hubs listed

Turn Off USB Selective Suspend

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Edit Plan Settings
• Click Change advanced power settings
• Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting
• Set it to Disabled

Check for Hidden Devices

• In Device Manager, click View > Show hidden devices
• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers and Other devices
• Right-click and uninstall any greyed-out or unknown devices

Run the Hardware Troubleshooter

• Press Windows + R, type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic, and hit Enter
• Follow the prompts to detect and fix hardware issues

Scan for System File Errors

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator
• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
• This will check for and repair corrupted system files

If the issue persists after these steps, it might be worth checking the laptop’s BIOS settings or even temporarily disabling USB ports to see if the noise stops. 

Let me know how it goes—I’ll be right here to help with the next move if needed! 😊

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[KatyJ1974]

Thank you so much for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

[Hawks_Eye]

@KatyJ1974 

That’s fantastic to hear—really glad it’s all sorted out! 🙌 

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[KatyJ1974]

Well it worked ok yesterday but has started the same issue again. I think I have tried everything on your list except the power management ones as the option is not there to select power options. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[Garp_senchau]

@KatyJ1974, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you so much for posting your query! My colleague is currently out, but don't worry – I’ll be taking over and making sure we get this sorted for you.

Check for Internal USB Device Glitches

Open Device Manager

Expand categories like Imaging devices, Universal Serial Bus controllers, and Other devices

Look for any devices with a yellow triangle ⚠️ or listed as Unknown device

Right-click and choose Uninstall, then reboot

BIOS/UEFI Reset

Occasionally USB issues can be tied to firmware or low-level settings.

Reboot and enter the BIOS/UEFI

Look for a setting like “Load Setup Defaults” or “Reset to Default”

Save and exit
Reference: HP Consumer Notebook PCs - BIOS Setup Information and Menu Options | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

[KatyJ1974]

Sorry for the delayed response. I have followed all advice by you lovely people but unfortunately the issue is still there. I tried to do the call back which said they usually call back in ten minutes and that was almost 2 hours ago.The device is under warranty and I believe at this point the device should be replaced. I just need help with this. 

Thank you

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @KatyJ1974, 

Thanks for reaching out! Since the issue remains unresolved, I suggest contacting our phone/chat support team for personalized assistance. They can provide one-on-one help and may even be able to work their remote assistance magic to fix the problem.

Note: There might be a nominal charge for the service they provide.

Regards,