59 Posts
0
7403
USB Flash Drives Randomly Disconnect - New Dell Inspiron 14 7400
Hello,
My laptop has two USB 3.2 Type-A 1st gen ports, one on each side. I have a Samsung 3.1 FIT Plus 256 flash drive that I leave permanently in one port, and it randomly disconnects. It can happen when I am using it, or not using it. Obviously very inconvenient when I am using it, such as copying files to and from, or watching a movie from it.
I also regularly use a Philips Snow 3.0 128 GB flash drive in the other port, same story. Using it or not, it randomly disconnects. Very inconvenient obviously when I am using it.
I´ve read quite a few posts here (and elsewhere) of possible remedies for the random disconnection problem. Yes, I have also gone to device manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > USB Root Hub (two listed) > Properties > Power Management > Unchecked Box: Allow this computer to turn off this device to save power. Didn´t help.
So what IS the solution?
Thanks so much in advance for your help.
Tiny
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 9th, 2021 05:00
Here is my summary of how to solve the problem of USB devices / flash drives disconnecting.
This is a collection of advice I have randomly read on the internet, and also advice from people responding to this post, and also me actually trying things both from the advice that I received and trying things on my own.
Here we go:
So, in conclusion… in addition to everything written above, make sure you properly disconnect all of your USB devices before you shut down, and after you reboot, RESTART your computer so all connected devices that were left in your system will properly be reinitialized.
That´s it. This problem is solved.
Thanks so much to everyone who contributed (DangDump and ieee488), and to me, who tried everything!!!
Good luck to all the others having the same problem!
Tiny_Tech
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 1st, 2021 08:00
Thank you for your reply. I have opened up the Power & sleep settings and had a look around. Is there someplace specific I should be looking? Nothing jumps out at me...
One small detail I forgot to mention in my original post: my laptop battery is at full 100% charge and the laptop is plugged in - and still I experience random USB disconnections. The laptop is not in any way starving for power.
Again, the disconnections happen both when the USB is in use, or when the USB is not in use.
There has got to be a setting somewhere that I don´t know about.
And, I have performed a clean install of Windows 10, several times, even upgrading to 21H1 today. Both USB´s still randomly disconnect, in use, not in use.
I´m stumped.
Where in Windows 10 should I look for USB disconnection management?
Thank you,
Tiny
ieee488
4 Operator
4 Operator
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11.1K Posts
0
June 1st, 2021 08:00
There is also a power saving option in Power Settings in Windows 10 itself.
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 1st, 2021 09:00
For the heck of it, I typed in USB in the Windows search box, and got a window called USB Settings!!
There is a box there that can be checked or unchecked: Stop devices when my screen is off to help save battery. If you´re having problems with connected devices, clear the checkbox.
That´s what I did. Let´s see if that helps.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Tiny
davidjohn098
6 Posts
0
June 2nd, 2021 00:00
Did you check USB drivers? Are they installed
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
1
June 2nd, 2021 00:00
Yes, please feel free to send me a private message. Thank you.
DangDump
53 Posts
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June 2nd, 2021 00:00
Hi,
I have some solution, but it was pretty long to put here. May I send you a private message?
Please reply with yes or no, the we're start.
Dang
DangDump
53 Posts
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June 2nd, 2021 01:00
I'm done sending you a message, Tiny. Resend me a message to show can you get it.
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 2nd, 2021 02:00
Well, let me tell you what I have done.... First, a clean install of the newest version of Microsoft Windows 10, 21H1. I went to check for updates > Windows updates > Check for updates > restart, and then repeated this until there were absolutely no more updates to download and install, including the recommended / optional ones. Second, SupportAssist > Get drivers and updates - I got every one available, including the recommended ones. Third, I just got done with a chat session with Samsung and they said they do not have a driver for a Samsung 3.1 FIT Plus flash drive, and that "whatever driver Windows 10 finds is the best one available."
Device manager > Disk drives > Samsung Flash Drive -FIT USB Device > Right click:
- General - This device is working properly
- Policies - Radio button for Better performance is selected
- Driver - Microsoft 6/21/2006 Version 10.0.19041.789
- Update driver > Search automatically for drivers = The best drivers for your device are already installed. Windows has determined that the best driver for this device is already installed. There may be better drivers on Windows Update (which I already have done) or on the device manufacturer´s website (which I already contacted, and they don´t have a driver).
- Search for updated drivers on Windows Update > You´re up to date!
Have I missed any steps in finding a driver for my flash drive, or is a driver from 2006 the best one out there?
By the way, since I have turned off BOTH of the power management options for USB flash drives, and checked "better performance", I haven´t experienced a random disconnection. I will let you folks know if it does happen again.
Thanks!
Tiny
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 2nd, 2021 03:00
It just happened again, twice. The first time while I was just using my computer, not accessing any of my three devices connected, then again while I was accessing my USB connected.
I am going to try the suggestions by DangDump, and then if those don´t work, I suppose the next step is to open a service ticket with Dell.
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 2nd, 2021 04:00
I just went into Device manager and uninstalled:
- Universal Serial Bus controllers
- USB Connector Managers
Restarted my laptop, and they are magically back. Let´s see if that does anything.
DangDump
53 Posts
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June 2nd, 2021 19:00
Well, there are 4 solutions. So if solution 1 doesn't work, the other will work.
DangDump
53 Posts
0
June 2nd, 2021 20:00
Warming: Back up your data before start. I was not responsible for any data loss. If you lost your data, MiniTool Power Data Recovery or Recuva to help (full crack).
DangDump
53 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2021 00:00
It's fine. Since I'm an IT professional, I can solve this. I meet this problem 2 years before, and then my friends - who are an IT professional too, help me. I'm very lucky to have this! And all the solutions I send you, it checked, error fixed with Grammarly (because I'm from Vietnam, so it is sometimes hard to just write a letter for my friends) so you can understand. Good luck, Tiny!
Tiny_Tech
59 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2021 00:00
I think that the flash drive disconnection problem may be finally solved, thanks to everyone´s input (I certainly am not going to take any credit for solving this). I am going to wait a bit, and if the random disconnecting seems to have stopped, I´m going to post a summary of everything I have read, learned, and tried, in the hopes that this may benefit others. Thanks!