You can view this error message in the Device Manager under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers node. For your information, The Unknown USB Device error could also be followed by these messages, instead:
Device Descriptor Request Failed.Port reset failed.Set address failedError code 43.
What is USB Enumeration?
USB Enumeration is the process where a host device detects the connected USB device, determines its type, loads its drivers, and defines its communication speed. The USB Enumeration is important because different USB devices communicate with the host device differently. The USB device Enumeration ensures the host device that the connected USB device has been detected and identified properly, and is ready to use with a specific data transfer speed. If the USB Enumeration process fails, the host device does not recognize the USB device connected to it. In this case, the user encounters the following error message in the Device Manager: In this post, we have explained some troubleshooting methods to fix the issue. But before you try these troubleshooting methods, we suggest you try some quick fixes given below:
Restart your Windows computer.Plug your USB device into another USB port of your computer.Connect your USB device to another computer (if available).Change the USB cable.If you are using an external USB hub, disconnect your USB device from there and connect it directly to your computer’s USB port.
Fix Unknown USB Device, the Device Failed Enumeration error
These are the things that you can try to fix this error.
1] Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Hardware issues are one of the possible causes of this error. Hence, running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter can help you fix the error. Though all the troubleshooters are available in the Settings app in Windows 10, you may not find the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter there. To run this troubleshooter on Windows 10, launch the Command Prompt, copy the following command, and paste it into the Command Prompt. After that press Enter. After the troubleshooting process gets completed, connect your USB device and see if Windows recognizes it or not.
2] Update your device driver
We have explained earlier in this article that outdated drivers may also cause this error. Hence, updating the driver of the affected USB device can fix this issue. You can update your device driver from the Device Manager. The steps for the same are listed below:
3] Uninstall and reinstall the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) driver
You can also try to reinstall the USB 3.0 driver on your system. This will be beneficial in case your USB device is working properly with USB 2.0 ports and displaying the “Device Failed Enumeration error” when you connect it to the USB 3.0 port. We have explained the process below: Now, check if Windows recognizes your USB device on USB 3.0 port or not.
4] Uninstall and reinstall the USB Controllers
Windows communicates with the connected USB devices via USB Controllers. If the USB Controllers get corrupted, your computer will not be able to recognize the USB device. Hence, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the USB Controllers from the Device Manager and see if it helps.
The steps to do so are listed below: Now, connect your USB device and check if it is available in the Device Manager or not.
5] Install the latest chipset drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website
Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest chipset driver. Install the driver on your system and check if it fixes the issue. It should help.
How do I identify an unknown USB device?
You can identify the unknown USB device in the Device Manager of your computer. The method that we are going to show you will help you know the vendor ID and the device ID of the unknown device. If you do not know the vendor or device ID of your device, it may become challenging for you to download the correct drivers for your device.
Follow the steps below: Now, you can download the drivers for the unknown device directly from the manufacturer’s website.
When I plug in a USB device, nothing happens
You may encounter this issue with your USB device. When you plug in a USB device and nothing happens, it means that Windows is not able to recognize it. There are many causes of this error, like: To fix this issue, we suggest you open the Settings app on your computer and check whether there is any update pending or not. If the updates are available, install them and check if the issue is fixed or not. If the issue is not fixed after updating Windows or if your system is up to date and you are experiencing the issue, try the solutions that we have described above in this article. In addition to the solutions listed above, you can do one more thing, disable the Selective Suspend mode of your system and check if this fixes the problem. Hope this helps. Read next: USB-C not working, charging, or recognized.
