How to fix Unknown USB Device (Port Reset Failed) Error in Windows 10

Last Updated on: 18th January 2023, 09:44 am

USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices are important storage hubs used commonly for the storage of files. USB devices can easily transport data from one device to another. A USB device has  small size, ease of handling, and large storage capacity. To put it simply, one relies on USB devices to carry their data around

So, you can imagine the magnitude of frustration when you are about to plug in the device to access important data and encounter the USB device request failing error.

To avoid such a situation, fortunately, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem of USB port reset failure.

In this article, we will guide you through some of the most effective solutions for resolving unknown USB Device, port reset failed errors.

Possible Causes of the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error

The warning sign you get when you encounter USB port reset failure appears on Windows 10 screen. Or else to check the detailed reason for the error.

Open Device Manager  > Under universal bus controllers, look at USB Device with a yellow exclamation mark. You can view an additional ‘device request descriptor failed’ message explaining details.

There are several possible causes of the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error in Windows 10 including:

• Outdated or corrupted USB device driver

If the USB device driver is outdated or corrupted, it may not be able to communicate properly with the USB port, resulting in the error message. 

If you are unable to keep your system updated due to a busy work schedule, you can use a driver update tool to automatically update all of your system drivers and resolve any driver-related problems.

• Power management issues

There is a feature in Windows 10 called USB selective suspend setting, which can cause power management issues and error messages.

• Hardware problems

The USB device or the USB port itself may be malfunctioning or damaged, which can cause the error message to appear.

• Corrupted system files

If the system files on your computer are corrupted, they may not be able to properly communicate with the USB device, resulting in the error message.

• Conflicting software

Some software may interfere with the normal operation of the USB device, causing the error message to appear.

• Bad USB Cable

USB cables can wear out over time, and a bad USB cable can cause an error message to appear.

The error depends on various reasons depending on the specific situation. Let’s get to know troubleshooting- “Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error”.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error in Windows 10

If you get an Unknown USB Device (Port Reset Failed) error in Device Manager, probably the PC is unable to recognize the USB drive. In such a case, after finding out the details of the cause of the failure by opening the device manager, try the solutions given below. One of them will fix the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error.

1. Unplug the USB device and restart the computer

Sometimes USB devices are not plugged in properly. Simply unplug the device and try 2-3 times. If the USB is not recognized, restart the computer. By restarting your PC, you might get access to the USB device.

2. Check for updates for the USB device driver and your operating system

Updating the USB device driver might resolve the USB error.

However, Windows updates can also help you resolve hardware-related issues. Once the hardware of the device is updated as per Windows 10, the USB error will not show.

3. Try a different USB port

Sometimes, the USB port itself is not working. In a PC, there are multiple USB ports. Try using another USB port to access the USB drive. If the error is due to port access, you will be able to open the USB drive with another port. If you fail, then you need to check the USB drive with some other PC.

4. Disable USB selective suspend setting in the power options

Windows 10 has a feature called USB disable device option. The option will disable the USB device.

By disabling the option, you can reinstall the USB driver.

5. Run the hardware and devices troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help to identify and resolve issues with hardware and devices. This can be a useful tool for resolving the error message.

6. Run the system file checker to check for corrupted system files

Corrupted system files can cause a variety of issues, including the Unknown USB Device, and Port Reset Failed Error. Running the system file checker can help to identify and resolve these issues.

To Implement it, press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt” (Admin) from the menu

sfc /scannow

This will scan and repair system files on your computer. If the scan finds any issues that it cannot repair, it will display a message indicating that it found them and that you will need to repair them manually.

7. Check for hardware problems with the USB device

Sometimes the USB device itself may be malfunctioning or damaged, and this can cause an error message to appear. Checking the device for hardware problems can help to determine if this is the case.

If all else fails, try using a different USB device: If none of the above steps worked, try using a different USB device to see if the problem is with the device itself.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some of the advanced troubleshooting methods to fix the Unknown USB Device, Port Reset Failed Error. Before using the advanced tricks, make sure, you have already used the simple steps to fix this issues. 

1. Checking for Conflicts in Device Manager

• To check the conflict occurring in accessing USB device through Device Manager, follow the steps given below:
• To open Device Manager, click the Windows+R key and type ‘devmgmt.msc’ in the Run, and then click the ‘OK’ button. Device Manager will open.
• Next, go to the category Universal Serial Bus Controllers. By opening the options, you can locate the USB drive. Also, you can see that the USB device is not recognized. It is tagged with a yellow sign of an ‘Unknown USB Device error.

• Right-click on the USB drive and choose the ‘Uninstall’ option. Once the uninstallation is completed, restart the PC to accept the changes.

In Windows 10, it will reinstall the drivers automatically. However, you can also install Windows Drivers manually.

2. Using the Windows Troubleshooter

Troubleshooting with Windows is always a good option for resolving hardware issues. To sort out the USB device (port reset failed) problem, here’s a two-step solution.

Step 1: Open the command prompt (cmd). Type the given command and press enter.

“msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic0"

Step 2:  A trouble-shooing wizard will open. Now press the “Next” button to start the troubleshooting process. Let the troubleshooter run its course.

3. Reinstalling the USB Controller

To fix the “Unknown USB Device (Port Reset Failed)” error in Windows 10, you can try reinstalling the USB controller. Here are the steps to do this:

• Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
• In Device Manager, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
• Right-click on each USB controller and select Uninstall device. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking OK.
• Once all the USB controllers have been uninstalled, restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the USB controllers.
• Check the error message must have been resolved. Also, check your computer’s BIOS and/or firmware, or check for any recent Windows updates that may have caused the issue.

4. Update Generic USB Hub

To update the Generic USB Hub, go to the ‘Start’ menu, and select the ‘Device Manager’ option. Once the Device Manager opens, browse the available list and expand the option ‘Universal Serial Bus Controllers

• Once more, right-click the ‘Generic USB Hub’ entry and pick on the ‘Update Driver Software option
•  The Update Driver Software Generic USB Hub will pop up. Select the ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ option. By this, you can now locate and install the driver software manually on your computer.
• Select the ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer list option. All the driver software that is compatible with your device will be shown on the list.

• Pick the ‘Generic USB Hub’ item that suits your match and then click the ‘Next’ button. The installation will begin in due course. Wait for its completion.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, it is possible to fix your windows 10 USB port-related issues. The suggested methods discussed above are simple. People do not need any high-tech know-how to resolve USB port errors.

However, you can always contact Driver Restore service. Driver Restore is a widely used Driver Update Software for Windows 10 and other versions. With Driver Restore you can enhance your PC’s stability, efficiency, and Speed.

By downloading Driver Restore, you can easily fix hardware and software issues. The issues like Unknown USB Device and Port Reset Failed Error will be resolved without causing you any trouble. To know more details, visit the Driver Restore website!