How to Fix USB Port Issues
When your USB ports suddenly stop working, the problem can always be tracked down to either a hardware or software failure. Some of these problems are the same across both Windows and Mac, while others are unique to just one or the other. If restarting doesn’t do the trick, then you’ll want to move on to more complicated fixes. If you see anything stuck inside, shut your computer down and gently remove the obstruction with a thin plastic or wooden implement like a toothpick. In some cases, a product like canned air can be useful in blowing obstructions out of a USB port. Just be careful not to shove the obstruction further in. If you feel a great deal of movement when you gently wiggle the USB connector, that indicates it may be bent or broken off the board. And while it is sometimes possible to fix this type of problem, you’re probably better off taking it to a professional. Plug the USB device into a few of the ports on both the front and back of your computer. If the device doesn’t work in any of the ports, there’s likely a problem with its hardware. If your device starts working when plugged into different ports, then the first port probably has a physical problem that needs to be fixed. If your USB device springs to life the moment you plug it into your backup computer, then you know for sure that you’re dealing with a USB port problem. If your other device works just fine, then you’ll know that your ports are in good working order. In this case, you may need to fix or replace the device that failed to connect. Scan for hardware changes by right-clicking the name of your computer, and then clicking on scan for hardware changes. When the scan to complete and then check your USB device to see if it works. Another option is to disable and re-enable the USB controller. In the device manager, click the arrow next to the little USB cable so that it points down instead of to the right. Right-click on the first USB controller in the list and select Uninstall device. Repeat for each USB controller you find. Turn your computer off and then back on again. Windows will automatically reinstall the USB controllers, so check to see if your device works.
Resetting the SMC for Macs
Resetting the SMC for iMac, Mac Pro, and Mac Mini
To update macOS on Mojave and later, click the Apple icon at the top left, and choose System Preferences > Software Update. Click Update Now if there’s one available. On macOS on High Sierra and earlier, open the app store. Click Updates on the toolbar. If any updates are available, click on update or update all. Restart your computer and check to see if your USB device works.
