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[FIX] The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned

How to Fix "The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned" Error in Windows 11

"USB device not recognized. The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it" is an error message that pops up when there's a problem with your USB device. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the USB device is faulty. This article will show you how to fix this issue.

The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned

What Causes This Error

Unfortunately, the error doesn't provide any additional information to help identify the cause of the supposed malfunction. However, most of the time, this error is triggered by:

  • An Incorrect device driver.
  • A Malfunctioning USB port.
  • The connected device is old, and the operating system doesn't recognize it.

If you're getting "USB device not recognized" error when you connect an external hard drive or USB drive, then it might occur because the driver was not partitioned.

Moreover, you may experience this error if you unplug the USB drive or external hard drive from your PC without ejecting it first. Doing this may also corrupt the data on the drive.

How to Fix This Error

To fix this error, follow the step-by-step instructions provided below. However, before you do that, make sure that the USB device is working correctly by connecting it to another USB port (preferably to a USB port at the back of the PC) or a different computer. Also, if the device comes with a separate cable, swap it for another one to make sure that the cable isn't faulty.

Video on How to Fix "The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned" Error

Table of Contents:

Method 1. Update/Reinstall the USB Root Hub Driver

Right-click Start and select Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start menu button and select Device Manager.

Right-click USB Root Hub and click Update driver

2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers list.

3. Right-click the Generic USB Hub and click Update driver.

Click Search automatically for drivers

4. Select Search automatically for drivers.

5. Alternatively, you can select Browse my computer for drivers and install the correct driver downloaded from the device manufacturer's website.

Right-click the USB Root Hub and click Uninstall device

6. If updating the driver doesn’t fix the issue, right-click the Generic USB Hub and click Uninstall device.

Click Uninstall to delete the driver

7. Click Uninstall to confirm the action.

8. Restart your PC and Windows will automatically download and install the latest available drivers for the uninstalled device.

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Method 2. Repair the USB Root Hub

Right-click Start and click Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start menu button and select Device Manager.

Right-click the USB Root Hub and click Properties

2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers list.

3. Right-click the Generic USB Root Hub and select Properties.

Disable the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option

4. Select the Power Management tab.

5. Unmark the checkbox next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

6. Click OK.

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Method 3. Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in powercfg.cpl and click OK

2. In the Run dialog box, type in powercfg.cpl and click OK.

Click Change plan settings

3. In the Power Options window, click Change plan settings.

Click Change advanced power settings

4. Then, click Change advanced power settings.

Disable selective suspend option

5. Expand the USB settings list.

6. Open the USB selective suspend setting menu and select Disabled.

7. Click Apply and click OK.

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Method 4. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

Type in msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK

2. In the Run dialog box, type in msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and click OK.

Click Next

3. Then, in the Hardware and Device troubleshooter window, click Next.

Click Apply this fix

4. Apply the suggested fixes and close the troubleshooter.

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Method 5. Assign a Letter to the USB Drive

Right-click Start and click Disk Management

1. Right-click the Start menu button and select Disk Management.

Right-click the drive with unallocated space and click New Simple Volume

2. If a USB drive has unallocated space, right-click it and select New Simple Volume.

Click Next

3. In the New Simple Volume Wizard window, click Next.

Select volume size and click Next

4. Set the volume size or leave it at maximum and click Next.

Assign a drive letter

5. Assign a drive letter.

Click Next

6. click Next.

Tick Format this volume with the following settings and click Next

7. If the drive is empty, tick Format this volume with the following settings and click Next. If the drive is not empty, tick the Do not format this volume option and click Next.

Click Finish

8. Click Finish.

Right-click the drive and select Change Drive Letter and Paths

9. If the drive has allocated space, right-click it and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.

Click Add

10. Click Add.

Tick Assign the following drive letter and select the letter you want and click OK

11. Tick Assign the following drive letter and select the letter you want.

12. Click OK.

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About the author:

Rimvydas Iliavicius

Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius.

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