When you find that USB ports are not function on laptops, life can be difficult, as connecting jump drives and devices like printers becomes impossible. In cases like that, where you see the 'USB device not recognized' error message, the source of the problem may be the port. This problem can normally be fixed easily, as it mostly lies at the software level.
TROUBLESHOOTING FAULTY PORT
Every electronic device interfaces with the installed computer operating system, through the driver software. A problem with most hardware devices can be traced to problems with installed drivers. Here are some ways in which you can troubleshoot the ports at a software level.
1. RESTART THE COMPUTER MACHINE
If USB ports have stopped working, what would be the possible way of fixing them? Just restart the computer . If there is any problem while loading drivers, it will be solved after a restart a machine.
2. RUN THE DEVICE MANAGER
If restarting your computer does nOt work then run the device manager. In case you find the ports to have stopped working on a Windows XP based system, just use device manager, by typing in devmgmt.msc in the search box and running the application.
In the window that opens, click on 'computer',then go to the action tab, and then click on Scan for hardware changes. See if the USB device is listed in the hardware changes. If it is, your problem is solved as the port will now recognize devices.
3.DISABLE USB CONTROLLER
This is another method to deal with this kind of problem is to disable and subsequently reinstall the USB controller devices. To do that, you must go to Start and then type devmgmt.msc in the search box and run it.
In the list that you see inside the window that opens locate the USB controllers. Right click and uninstall all of them. Once you have finished uninstalling all the controllers just restart the computer. The controllers will be reinstalled as the ports are recognized. This will help you to solve the problem.
4.YOU MAY UPDATE PORT DRIVER
The only way solve the problem if the driver is corrupted is to search for the right drivers and reinstall them You may have to know the manufacturer of the port device and its code to download the appropriate driver. The restoration of the proper driver should fix the problem for you
