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Fix USB Stick Keeps Disconnecting & Reconnecting

Having trouble with your USB stick constantly disconnecting and reconnecting? Let’s explore some solutions to fix this frustrating issue.

Basic Troubleshooting and Reconnection Tips

To fix a USB stick that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting, first try updating the device drivers for the USB hardware. Navigate to the Device Manager in the Control Panel of your Windows 10 PC to do this. If that doesn’t work, try rebooting your computer to see if that resolves the issue.

If the problem persists, try connecting the USB stick to a different USB port on your computer. Sometimes, the issue may be with the specific port you are using. You can also try using a different USB flash drive to see if the problem is with the drive itself.

Another troubleshooting tip is to check the USB stick for any physical damage. If the USB stick appears to be damaged, it may be the reason for the constant disconnecting and reconnecting.

Update and Reinstall USB Drivers

To fix a USB stick that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting, you may need to update and reinstall the USB drivers on your computer. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Update USB Drivers:
Go to Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting it. Look for the USB hardware category, right-click on each device, and select “Update driver.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

2. Reinstall USB Drivers:
If updating doesn’t work, you can try reinstalling the USB drivers. In Device Manager, right-click on the USB device, select “Uninstall device,” and then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver upon reboot.

3. Check for Windows Updates:
Make sure your Windows 10 is up to date by checking for any available updates in the Settings menu. Sometimes, an outdated system can cause USB connectivity issues.

By updating or reinstalling the USB drivers on your computer, you should be able to fix the problem of your USB stick constantly disconnecting and reconnecting. If the issue persists, you may want to consider testing the USB stick on another computer or replacing it altogether.

Modify Power Management Settings

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager from the menu.

2. Locate the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and expand it.

3. Right-click on each USB Root Hub and select Properties.

4. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

5. Click OK and repeat this process for all USB Root Hubs.

6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Disable USB Selective Suspend

To disable USB Selective Suspend, go to the Control Panel on your computer. Search for “Power Options” and click on it. From there, choose the option to change plan settings for your current power plan.

Next, click on “Change advanced power settings.” Look for the “USB settings” option and expand it. You should see an option for “USB selective suspend setting.” Change this setting to Disabled.

Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save your changes. This should prevent your USB stick from disconnecting and reconnecting due to the selective suspend feature. Remember to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Run SFC and Hardware Troubleshooter

  • Run System File Checker (SFC) to scan and repair corrupted system files:
    • Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for it in the start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting Run as administrator.
    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to start the scanning process.
    • Wait for the process to complete and follow any on-screen instructions to fix the corrupted files.
  • Run Hardware Troubleshooter to automatically detect and fix hardware issues:
    • Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
    • Go to Update & Security and then Troubleshoot.
    • Select Hardware and Devices and click on Run the troubleshooter.
    • Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

Recover and Restore Lost Files

Step 1: Plug the USB stick into a different USB port on your computer to rule out any issues with the current port.

Step 2: Check the USB stick for any physical damage. If there are any signs of damage, it may be causing the disconnecting and reconnecting issue.

Step 3: Use a different USB cable to connect the USB stick to your computer. Sometimes the issue can be with the cable itself.

Step 4: If the USB stick is still disconnecting and reconnecting, try accessing it through the Control Panel on Windows.

Step 5: Right-click on the USB stick in the Control Panel and select “Properties.”

Step 6: Go to the “Tools” tab and click on “Check now” under Error-checking to scan the USB stick for any errors.

Step 7: If there are any lost files on the USB stick, you can use data recovery software to retrieve them. Make sure to save the recovered files to a different location to avoid overwriting any existing data.

Format and Reset USB Flash Drive

To fix a USB stick that keeps disconnecting and reconnecting, you may need to format and reset the USB flash drive. This can help resolve any issues with the device driver or connection.

To format the USB flash drive, insert it into your personal computer and open the Control Panel in Microsoft Windows. Right-click on the USB drive in the context menu and select “Format.”

Choose the file system you want to use (such as FAT32 or NTFS) and click “Start” to begin formatting. Be aware that formatting will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

If formatting doesn’t solve the issue, you can also try resetting the USB flash drive. To do this, unplug the drive from your computer and plug it back in after a few seconds. This can sometimes reset the connection and resolve any connectivity issues.

F.A.Qs

Why does my USB device keep disconnecting?

Your USB device keeps disconnecting due to potential issues such as insufficient power supply, faulty USB port, or USB flash drive errors.

How do I fix USB connected disconnected?

To fix USB connected/disconnected issues, you can enable USB debugging on your device. Simply go to the settings and turn on USB debugging, then allow USB debugging. This should help stabilize the connection.

Why does my USB randomly stop working?

Your USB may randomly stop working due to various factors such as incompatible devices, outdated drivers, damaged ports or cables, and other technical issues.

Why does my USB tethering keep disconnecting?

Your USB tethering may keep disconnecting due to potential conflicts with third-party firewall or antivirus software. Try uninstalling it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.

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