Technology · Hardware

Fix an unrecognized USB device

Troubleshoot flash drives, accessories and USB ports safely.

1. Disconnect the device, restart the computer and test a different USB port without a hub.
2. Try the device on another computer to separate a device failure from a port or driver problem.
3. Open the operating system’s device or disk manager to see whether the hardware appears without a drive letter.
4. Back up readable data immediately if the device behaves intermittently; avoid formatting a drive that contains needed files.

Follow the official instructions for your device or service. Back up important data before changing settings or attempting repairs.