Hi Bill,
This can happen due to various reasons. To resolve this issue, please use the following methods in the order in which they are listed.
Method 1: Use Device Manager to scan for hardware changes
Use Device Manager to scan for hardware changes. After your computer scans for hardware changes, it might recognize the USB device that is connected to the USB port so that you can use the device.
To scan for hardware changes, follow these steps:
- Click Start, and then click Run.
Note If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then use the Start Search box. - Type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK. Device Manager opens.
- In Device Manager, click your computer so that it is highlighted.
- Click Action, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
- Check the USB device to see whether it is working.
If scanning for hardware changes fixed the problem, you are finished. If this method did not fix the problem, go to Method 2.
Method 2: Restart the computer
If scanning for new hardware did not fix the problem, try restarting the computer. After the computer has restarted, check the USB device to see whether it is working.
If restarting the computer fixed the problem, you are finished. If this method did not fix the problem, go to Method 3.
Method 3: Disable and re-enable the USB controller
Use Device Manager to disable and re-enable all the USB controllers. This lets the controllers recover the USB port from its unresponsive condition. The USB controllers represent the USB ports in Device Manager.
To disable and re-enable the USB controllers, follow these steps:
- Click Start, and then click Run.
Note If you are running Windows Vista, click Start, and then use the Start Search box. - Type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK. Device Manager opens.
- Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
Note You might have to scroll down the list to find this item. - Right-click the first USB controller under Universal Serial Bus controllers, and then click Uninstall to remove it.
- Repeat step 4 for each USB controller that is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers.
- Restart the computer. After the computer starts, Windows will automatically scan for hardware changes and reinstall all the USB controllers that you uninstalled.
- Check the USB device to see whether it is working.
If the USB port recognizes the device and if you can use the device, you are finished.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Lokesh