How to Fix USB Keeps Disconnecting in Windows 10

Sue Wayne

Apr 10, 2023 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

USB flash drives are a darling to many computer users. They are easy to carry along because of their compact and sleek nature. A small device and yet it can carry the whole computer! Because of this, many users prefer them when transferring files or just saving in more staff. Any slight disturbance, therefore, means a lot of annoyance especially if you are working on an important project. Disconnecting and reconnecting is the worst fear. Check out why your USB flash drive would keep disconnecting while you are in the middle of an important project.

Overview:

When the USB device is plugged in, then it would keep disconnecting and reconnecting. This is the "USB auto disconnect windows 10" problem. Windows would ask you to format the drive as a solution. But the problem would be that all the data in the drive would be lost if you format it. Even then the issue might persist.  Some of the reasons that can cause such a problem are improper ejection of the device, bad sector on the drive, corruption of files, overheating of the device, etc.

Part 1: Why Does My USB Devices Keep Disconnecting?

• Insufficient power supply: This is, probably the number one cause of USB that keeps on disconnecting and reconnecting. Insufficient power supply will deprive your flash drive of the energy it needs to keep going. Check your power supply and if possible, have a power backup mechanism in place.
• Faulty USB port: Whenever your USB flash drive doesn’t stay right in place, it is bound to move timeless of times. Alternatively, your USB port may be corrupt leading to malfunctioning issues. Trying other ports or using a different computer may help save a dime.
• USB flash drive errors: Errors such as bad sectors may bring the stability issues in your USB flash drive. There are possible ways of fixing such via the CHKDSK, which is an inbuilt feature in your computer. If not fixed, you may continue to experience the disconnecting issues or even loss of data.
• Virus Attack: Viruses may attach your Windows operating system, leading to mayhem in the usage of USB flash drive. Apart from causing corruption, they could eat up files and cause destabilization of both your computer and flash drive.

Part 2: The Solution (Step by Step):

The primary thing that should be done is to check if the device is physically damaged or not. If there is some kind of damage, then the device would need to repair, or in the worst case, it would need to replace. You can remove the outer cover of the device and check for breaks in the internal circuitry.

Solution 1: make use of the CHKDSK utility

Using the check disk utility would find errors on the storage device. Press on the windows key as well as the letter Q together. Right-click on the command prompt and choose the option run as administrator. In the new window type’ chkdsk X:/r/f ‘. here the letter X needs to be replaced with the device driver. Press on the enter key. Once the process is completed, remove the drive and insert it again. This might rectify the issue.

Solution 2: Reinstall the driver software

Press the Windows button along with letter Q. type in the device manager in the run dialog box. Double click on the disk drives and this would expand it. Right-click on the driver in question and select uninstall drivers. Click uninstall when prompted to confirm the process. unplug the device and then reconnect it after a few seconds.

Solution 3: Running the SFC scan

The issue might be due to damaged or corrupt system files on the computer. This can be checked and rectified by using the system file checker. Press the Windows button along with the letter Q. open the command prompt and choose the option ‘Run as administrator’. In cmd type in SFC/ scannow then press enter. Once the scan is over, restart the system and reconnect the drive.

Solution 4: Basic troubleshooting methods

Try the device on some other port on the same computer. This is to make sure that the damage to the port is the not reason for the issue. Once this is done, use the device on another computer. If the problem is unique to the system, then the device would work on another computer.

Solution 5: Reinstall Universal Serial Bus Controllers Driver

The issue might be fixed if the USB device drivers are uninstalled and then reinstalled. Press the windows button, the letter X, and M altogether. Expand the ‘Universal serial bus controllers’ in the window that pops out.

Select the device in question. Right-click on the device and then click on uninstall the device. Once the process is completed, the system should be restarted. Windows would automatically reinstall the driver when the system boots up. This way, you can fix your USB devices keep disconnecting.

Solution 6: Turning off USB selective suspend to fix USB stick keeps disconnecting

The USB selective suspend feature allows the hub driver to suspend an individual port without affecting the operation of the other ports on the hub. Selective suspension of USB devices is especially useful in portable computers since it helps conserve battery power. We have an article that elaborates on how to disable USB selective suspend on Windows 10.

1. Press the Windows key and the letter R together. Type in powercfg.cpl in the dialog box

2. On the power option, click change plan settings

3. Click ‘Change advanced power settings’

4. Before clicking OK, select USB settings to disabled USB selective to suspend setting.

5. Restarting the computer and check whether the USB device works or not. Now your USB devices randomly disconnecting issue should have been solved.

Solution 7: Change power management settings for USB root hubs

1. To Open Device Manager, Write devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box then click OK

2. Double click on the ‘universal serial Bus controllers’ and then the first item of the USB root hub.

3. Check the box right next to ‘allow the computer to turn off this device to save power’. Click OK

4. Repeat this for all the USB root hubs in the device manager.

5. Now try to connect the USB device. This might have solved the USB devices keep disconnecting issue.

Part 3: How to Recover Lost Data after Fixing the USB Keeps Disconnecting Issue in Windows 10

Fixing the USB disconnects randomly issue may sometimes scrap off your data completely. But worry no more, you can get back your files with sophisticated tools like Recoverit Data Recovery. This software has no boundaries when it comes to the recovery of lost files. It can recover files from hard drives, SD cards, USB drives among other removable devices.

Recoverit Data Recovery - Best USB Data Recovery Software

• Recovery for different loss scenarios: Recoverit Data Recovery can do formatted data recovery, trash recovery, devices recovery, among other scenarios.
• Recovers over 1000 data types: It doesn’t matter what you’ve lost. This tool supports graphics, documents, videos, audio, and other file types.
• The preview option is a plus: This tool lets you preview any recoverable files before winding up the recovery process.

User guide on How to Recover Lost Data after Fixing the USB Keeps Disconnecting Issue in Windows 10 - Recoverit Data Recovery

Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive

Connect the USB flash drive to your computer and wait for the computer to recognize it. Then select it from the ‘external devices’ option. Next, hit on the ‘Start’ button.

Step 2. Scan the USB flash drive

The system will carry on with scanning the external device. An all-around scan will enable your lost files to be traced after a while. You have the option to pause the scan process and continue as per your wish.

Step 3. Preview and recover

The result of the scan should populate a list of recoverable files. Make use of the preview feature to peruse through your files. Select what you need to recover and then hit on the ‘Recover’ button.

Conclusion

Even though USB device connecting and disconnecting is a notable problem, it can still be fixed. All you need to know is the ideal cause behind your USB flash drive behaving so. This article has highlighted the notable causes of why yourUSB controller keeps disconnecting. Free yourself from such disappointments with the provided solutions. And if all hell breaks loose and you lose your files, you can still recover them using the best recovery software.