If you’ve ever encountered the Power Surge at USB port error named “Unknown USB device needs more power than the Port can Supply” error, you know how frustrating it can be. This error message typically appears when you connect a USB device that requires more power than the USB port can provide.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix this error and get your USB device working properly. In this article, we’ll explore some common solutions to this error message, so you can quickly and easily get your USB device up and running again.
Solution I:
Follow these Steps:
The “Unknown USB device needs more power than the Port can Supply” error message typically appears when you connect a USB device that requires more power than the USB port can provide. Here are some steps you can take to fix this error:
- Check the USB device: Firstly, ensure that the USB device is not damaged or faulty. You can try connecting the same device to another computer to see if it works properly.
- Connect the USB device to a different port: Try connecting the USB device to a different USB port on your computer, preferably one that has higher power output.
- Use a powered USB hub: If you have multiple USB devices that need power, consider using a powered USB hub to connect them to your computer. This will ensure that all your devices receive sufficient power.
- Check your computer’s power settings: Ensure that your computer’s power settings are not set to conserve power, which can cause USB ports to provide lower power output.
- Update USB drivers: If the above steps do not work, try updating your USB drivers. You can do this by going to your computer manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest USB drivers for your computer.
- Update BIOS: In rare cases, updating the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) on your computer can resolve USB power issues. However, this should only be attempted if you are confident in your technical skills and have experience with updating BIOS.
If none of the above steps work, see the second solution below,
Solution II:
This error message is commonly seen when using a bus-powered USB hub, which draws power for all its ports from a single upstream cable from the host. The USB system recognizes this type of hub and limits the amount of power that can be allocated to downstream ports to prevent overloading the hub upstream port (host downstream). This means that bus-powered hubs are only allowed to allocate a fraction of the power available from normal ports or self-powered hubs.
To address this issue, the USB system has a two-step mechanism in place. First, USB devices are only allowed to draw 100/150 mA from VBUS to respond with device descriptors, which provide information on how much current the device is expected to use under full-functional mode, including its maximum power usage. If the system determines that the port cannot supply the required power, it will display a warning message and reject the device.
This can be inconvenient for users as even if other ports on the hub are not in use, a high-power device may not be admitted. To avoid this, some manufacturers have created “semi-self-powered” hubs that can be bus-powered but do not report this in their descriptors, tricking the host system into thinking that it is a normal self-powered hub.
To prevent this error message, users can either use a self-powered hub or opt for these bootleg hubs, but there is a risk of losing the VBUS voltage level if the host port cannot supply enough power to drive the devices.
Read also: USB Surge Protection
Solution III:
Before we move to solution 3 we must investigate the reason for the error, here we go:
What Causes the Error “Unknown USB Device Needs More Power than the Port Can Supply” and How to Fix It?
The error message “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply” can be a frustrating one, as it can prevent you from using the USB device that is causing the error. There are a few reasons why this error might occur, and there are also a few things you can do to try to fix it.
What Causes the Error?
There are a few reasons why the error “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply” might occur. One possibility is that the USB device is simply drawing too much power for the port to provide. This can happen with devices like external hard drives, printers, and some audio devices. Another possibility is that the USB port itself is damaged or malfunctioning. This can happen if the port is bent or if there is dirt or debris in the port. Finally, it’s also possible that the USB controller on your PC is outdated or not working properly.
How to Fix the Error
If you’re getting the error “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply,” there are a few things you can try to fix it.
- Try plugging the USB device into a different USB port: If the problem is with the USB port, then plugging the device into a different port should fix the problem.
- Try updating the USB controller drivers: You can download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
- Try using a powered USB hub: A powered USB hub has its own power supply, so it can provide more power to USB devices that need it.
- Replace the USB controller: If the USB controller is damaged, you will need to replace it
Preventing the Error from Happening Again
Once you’ve fixed the error “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply,” there are a few things you can do to prevent it from happening again.
- Avoid plugging high-power devices into low-power USB ports. If you have a device that draws a lot of power, make sure to plug it into a high-power USB port.
- Keep your USB ports clean. Dirt and debris can build up in USB ports and prevent them from working properly. Make sure to clean your USB ports regularly with a soft cloth.
- Update your drivers regularly. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of problems, including USB errors. Make sure to update your drivers regularly to keep your PC running smoothly.
Conclusion
The error “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply” can be a frustrating one, but it’s usually not a difficult problem to fix. By following the tips in this article, you should be able to get your USB devices working properly again in no time.
Additional Information
- Here are some additional tips for preventing the error “Unknown USB device needs more power than the port can supply”:
- Use a surge protector to protect your PC from power surges.
- Avoid using cheap or low-quality USB cables and good quality USB cables.
- If you’re still having problems, you can contact the manufacturer of your PC or the USB device for help.
I hope this article has been helpful.