AOMEI Partition Assistant
USB Device Randomly Disconnects! Why & How to Fix it?
If the USB device randomly disconnects, you can read this article to know the reasons. Here are also 5 fixes for solving Windows USB devices keep disconnecting and reconnecting issue.
By Irene / Updated on February 17, 2025
User case: Why does my USB keep disconnecting?
USB randomly disconnecting and reconnecting! I've tried uninstalling drivers and reinstalling also I've tried going to an older build of Windows. Nothing seems to work. Why does my USB keep disconnecting and reconnecting?
- Question from Microsoft Community
If your USB devices are constantly disconnecting and reconnecting on your computer, you're not the only one facing this issue. Many users experience this, like the user from Microsoft Community, where external hard drives like USB can often disconnect unexpectedly. This situation happens frequently after upgrading to Windows 11 or performing a Windows update . This can be really annoying and disruptive.
Several factors could be causing this problem, including:
● Faulty USB ports: Over time, USB ports can become loose or damaged, which may cause devices to disconnect.
● Errors with the USB device: If the USB device is corrupted or faulty, it may disconnect frequently.
● Virus or malware: Malicious software can interfere with your USB devices, causing unexpected disconnections.
When the USB keeps disconnecting, you can try 5 fixes. In the next part, we will list the specific steps to help you solve the problem.
How to fix USB devices randomly disconnecting?
To begin troubleshooting, you might want to try your USB device on another computer. If it works fine there, the issue is likely with your computer’s settings or hardware. You could also try connecting a different USB device to see if the problem is with the USB ports.
Fix 1. Disable USB selective suspending setting
In some cases, a power-saving feature may cause your external hard drive to disconnect frequently on Windows 11, 10, or 7. This feature automatically turns off USB devices to conserve power, which could be behind the issue. Disabling the USB selective suspend setting might help fix the problem of your external hard drive disconnecting.
Step 1. Right-click on the Windows button and select Control Panel. Then, choose System and Security.
Step 2. In the following interface, locate Power Options and select it.
Step 3. Another interface will appear. Check the Power saver option and click on Change plan settings.
Step 4. In the next interface, click on Change Advanced power settings.
Step 5. The Power Options interface will appear. Find USB settings, expand it, and change USB selective suspend setting to Disabled. At last, click OK to save the changes.
Fix 2. Install the latest USB Controller Drivers
If you're using a USB 3.0 port and your external hard drive keeps disconnecting on Windows 11, it’s a good idea to update your USB 3.0 controller drivers. The best way to do this is by visiting the motherboard manufacturer's website and downloading the latest chipset drivers for your system.
Step 1. Use the Windows search box to find Device Manager and click on the first search result. Navigate to the section labeled Universal Serial Bus Controllers and expand it. Then right-click on the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) option and choose the Uninstall device option.
Step 2. Exit Device Manager and restart your computer. Then open Device Manager again. Navigate to Universal Serial Bus Controllers > USB Root Hub (USB 3.0). Right-click on USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and choose Update driver.
Step 3. Choose the option "Browse my computer for driver software" to proceed.
Step 4. Choose "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer" and click Next.
Step 5. Choose USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and click Next.
Step 6. Then the updating process will begin. Once it completes, you can close the update interface, Device Manager, and then restart your computer to see whether the problem that external hard drive keeps disconnecting in Windows 10 and 11 has been fixed.
Fix 3. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
If the issue Windows USB devices keep disconnecting and reconnecting is related to hardware, you can use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter for assistance. Here's how:
Type "Troubleshoot" in the Start menu search bar and select the first option. Choose "Hardware and Devices" and click on the "Run the troubleshooter" button.
When the process is complete, close the troubleshooter and restart your PC to see if the issue Windows USB devices.
Fix 4. Change power management settings
If the USB device randomly disconnects, it indicates that the USB devices can't be recognized by Windows, which is caused by the PC's power settings. You can try to change the power management settings to fix it.
Step 1. Right-click the Start button to select the Device Manager shortcut.
Step 2. Click the View menu and select the “Show hidden devices” option.
Step 3. Double-click the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” category, right-click a USB Root Hub listed there, and select Properties.
Step 4. Then select the “Power Management” tab. Cancel the “Allow this computer to turn off this device to save power” box to deselect that option.
Step 5. Click OK to close the USB Root Hub window. Repeat steps for all USB Root Hubs listed in Device Manager.
Fix 5. Run SFC and DISM Scan
The SFC and DISM utilities will search for and replace faulty system files on your local disk that cause USB keeps disconnecting or reconnecting.
Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)”. Enter the following command in the Terminal windows and hit Enter:
Step 2. After the DISM scan is complete, run an SFC scan by entering the following:
Further reading: Recover lost data from problematic USB devices
If your USB keeps disconnecting, there’s a risk of losing data. Windows may prompt you to format the drive, or data loss could occur during troubleshooting. In such cases, AOMEI Partition Assistant can help recover lost data. Its "Recover Data" feature works in various situations, such as accidental formatting, emptied Recycle Bin, or device removal. It can also recover data after a virus, system crash, or restore backups from external drives. If you’ve already formatted your drive due to disconnections in Windows 11, this tool can help.
AOMEI Partition Assistant supports over 1000 file types, works with Windows 11, 10, and earlier versions, and offers a user-friendly interface with 24/7 support. For Windows Server users, the software also has a Server edition available.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click on "Recover" from the top menu, then select "Recover Data".
Step 2. Choose the USB drive that contains the lost files and click "Start Scan".
Step 3. After the scanning process is complete, a list of all deleted files will be displayed. Tick the checkboxes next to the lost files you want to recover, then click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a destination path to save the recovered files.
Step 5. Once the recovery process is finished, navigate to the chosen path to locate and access your recovered files.
Summary
If your USB device randomly disconnects, it can be caused by various factors such as power settings, faulty ports, or driver issues. By following the troubleshooting steps, like updating drivers, adjusting power settings, or running system scans, you can often resolve the problem. If data loss occurs due to disconnections, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a reliable tool to recover lost files. Whether it's after formatting or a system issue, this software can help restore your important data, making it a useful solution for users facing USB disconnection problems.
