How do I enable USB ports?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

To enable USB ports on your computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen and type “device manager” or “devmgmt.msc” in the search box. Press Enter or click on the Device Manager option that appears in the search results.

2. The Device Manager window will open, displaying a list of all the hardware devices connected to your computer. Look for the category called “Universal Serial Bus controllers” and click on the arrow next to it to expand the list.

3. You will now see a list of USB ports on your computer. Right-click on each USB port one by one and select the “Enable” option. This should re-enable the USB port if it was previously disabled.

4. If the above step doesn’t solve the issue, you can try uninstalling the USB ports. Right-click on each USB port again and this time select the “Uninstall” option. Confirm any prompts that appear. After uninstalling, restart your computer.

5. Upon restarting, the USB ports will be automatically reinstalled by the operating system. This process may take a few moments, so be patient.

6. Once your computer has finished reinstalling the USB ports, check if they are now enabled. You can do this by connecting a USB device such as a flash drive or external hard drive to one of the ports and see if it is recognized by your computer.

7. If the USB ports are still not working, there may be an issue with the drivers or hardware. In such cases, you can try updating the drivers for the USB ports. Right-click on each USB port in the Device Manager and select the “Update driver” option. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers.

8. If updating the drivers doesn’t help, you can try resetting the BIOS settings to their default values. This process varies depending on your computer’s manufacturer, so it’s best to consult the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.

9. Another troubleshooting step you can try is to check for any physical damage to the USB ports or the USB cable you are using. Sometimes, a loose or damaged connection can cause the ports to not work properly. In such cases, try using a different USB cable or connecting the device to a different USB port.

10. If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is possible that there is a hardware problem with the USB ports. In such cases, it may be necessary to contact a computer technician or the manufacturer’s support for further assistance.

Remember, these steps may vary slightly depending on your operating system version and computer manufacturer. It’s always a good idea to backup your important data before making any changes to your computer’s settings.