one solution to The Last USB device malfunctioned message Win 10

[George2222]

I had the message 'the last usb device connected to your computer malfunctioned' popping up continually - even though there was nothing plugged in at the front, and only the mouse and keyboard at the back.  I tried everything from checking all the drivers ( all good but refreshed anyway )  to backing off from  the latest windows 10 build to the previous build,  to doing a windows reset.  turning off and disconnecting -I tried every single "solution" I found on the net for this but the message came back in a loop every 30 seconds or so regardless.  Finally  I used a freeware product called USBdeview  v2.8 from www.nirsoft.net    this told me that port 4 hub 3 had an unknown device descriptor error. I think Windows device manager gives the same information.  I then restarted the PC HP 6300 SFF elite continually pressing the ESC key to get to the BIOS Settings,  I went to USB Security, and disabled port 4 and saved the setting.  When I restarted the message has not appeared again.  I vaguely recall pushing a USB plug in the wrong way in port 4 sometime previously.  My conclusion is that I have damaged the wires inside the port,  perhaps 2 wires inside it are  now touching - which causes the malfunction even though nothing is  plugged in that USB.  I suspect that is the cause, not a bad driver.  I suspect a damaged USB plug is the cause of the dozens of messages across the internet,  on many makes of PC,  about USB malfunction , when nothing plugged in. My next step is to take out the front USB panel and see if I can find something to correct. If not I guess I will leave that port disabled.  Hope this might help others who have been scratching their heads over this one.