Are you tired of dealing with unresponsive USB ports on your Windows 10 computer? Do you find yourself constantly unplugging and replugging devices just to get them to work again? You’re not alone. Many users have reported issues with USB ports going to sleep or entering a low-power state, causing devices to malfunction or disconnect. But fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to dive into the world of Windows 10 settings and registry hacks to help you keep your USB ports awake and ready for action.
Understanding Power Management in Windows 10
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s essential to understand how Windows 10 handles power management. The operating system is designed to be power-efficient, which means it’s always looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and prolong battery life. One way it does this is by putting devices into a low-power state when they’re not in use. This is known as “Selective Suspend,” and it’s enabled by default for USB devices.
Selective Suspend allows Windows 10 to suspend power to individual USB devices when they’re not being used, which can help reduce overall power consumption. However, this feature can sometimes cause issues, especially if you’re using devices that require a constant power supply, such as external hard drives or keyboards.
Why Do USB Ports Go to Sleep?
There are several reasons why your USB ports might be going to sleep:
- Power management settings: Windows 10’s power management settings are configured to put devices into a low-power state after a certain period of inactivity.
- Device drivers: Faulty or outdated device drivers can cause USB devices to malfunction or disconnect.
- Hardware issues: Faulty or malfunctioning USB ports can cause devices to disconnect or enter a low-power state.
- Power-saving features: Features like USB Selective Suspend and Power Saving can cause USB ports to go to sleep.
Method 1: Disable Selective Suspend for USB Devices
One of the easiest ways to prevent USB ports from going to sleep is to disable Selective Suspend for USB devices. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.
- Right-click on each USB device and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, uncheck the box next to “Selective Suspend.”
- Click OK to save the changes.
Disable Selective Suspend for All USB Devices at Once
If you have multiple USB devices and don’t want to disable Selective Suspend individually, you can use the following registry hack:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. |
| 2 | Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. |
| 3 | Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\usbcriptors |
| 4 | Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it “DisableSelectiveSuspend.” |
| 5 | Set the value to 1 and click OK. |
Method 2: Adjust Power Management Settings
Another way to prevent USB ports from going to sleep is to adjust Windows 10’s power management settings. Here’s how:
Change the Power Plan
- Press the Windows key + X and select Power Options.
- Click on the “Choose what the power buttons do” link on the left side.
- Click on the “Change plan settings” link next to your current power plan.
- Click on the “Change advanced power settings” link.
- In the Power Options window, expand the “USB settings” section.
- Uncheck the box next to “USB selective suspend setting.”
- Click OK to save the changes.
Disable Power Saving for USB Devices
You can also disable power saving for individual USB devices:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.
- Right-click on a USB device and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, uncheck the box next to “Power Saving.”
- Click OK to save the changes.
Method 3: Update Device Drivers
Faulty or outdated device drivers can cause USB devices to malfunction or disconnect. Here’s how to update your device drivers:
Update Device Drivers Using the Device Manager
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.
- Right-click on a USB device and select Update driver.
- Click “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
- Follow the prompts to install any available updates.
Update Device Drivers Using the Manufacturer’s Website
Alternatively, you can update your device drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest drivers:
- Visit the manufacturer’s website and navigate to the Support or Downloads section.
- Search for the latest drivers for your USB device.
- Download the drivers and follow the installation instructions.
Method 4: Disable Power Management for the USB Root Hub
The USB Root Hub is a critical component of the USB subsystem. Disabling power management for the USB Root Hub can help prevent USB ports from going to sleep:
Disable Power Management for the USB Root Hub
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.
- Right-click on the USB Root Hub and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, uncheck the box next to “Power Management.”
- Click OK to save the changes.
Conclusion
USB ports going to sleep can be frustrating, but there are several ways to prevent it from happening. By disabling Selective Suspend, adjusting power management settings, updating device drivers, and disabling power management for the USB Root Hub, you can keep your USB ports awake and ready for action. Remember to always be cautious when editing the registry and to create a system restore point before making any changes. With these methods, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a seamless USB experience on your Windows 10 computer.
How do I know if my USB ports are going to sleep?
You can check if your USB ports are going to sleep by observing the behavior of your devices connected to them. If you notice that your devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, or mice, are not functioning properly or are disconnecting randomly, it may be due to the USB ports going to sleep. Additionally, you can check the Device Manager to see if the USB ports are listed as “USB Root Hub” and if they have a power management tab.
In the power management tab, you can check if the option “Selective suspend” is enabled. If it is, it means that Windows 10 is allowing the USB ports to go to sleep to conserve power. You can also check the Windows Event Viewer to see if there are any errors or warnings related to the USB ports going to sleep.
Why do my USB ports keep going to sleep?
USB ports going to sleep is a power-saving feature in Windows 10. When the operating system detects that a USB device is not in use, it may put the USB port into a low-power state to conserve power. This feature is designed to prolong battery life in laptops and other portable devices. However, it can sometimes cause issues with devices that require a constant power supply, such as external hard drives or USB hubs.
To prevent USB ports from going to sleep, you can adjust the power management settings for the USB root hub. You can also disable the “Selective suspend” feature or adjust the power settings for the specific device that is connected to the USB port. Additionally, you can install the latest drivers for the USB controller or chipset to improve the performance and stability of the USB ports.
How do I stop my USB ports from going to sleep in Windows 10?
To stop USB ports from going to sleep in Windows 10, you can adjust the power management settings for the USB root hub. To do this, open the Device Manager, expand the “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” section, and right-click on the “USB Root Hub” device. Select “Properties” and then click on the “Power Management” tab. Uncheck the box next to “Selective suspend” to disable the power-saving feature.
Alternatively, you can also adjust the power settings for the specific device that is connected to the USB port. To do this, go to the “Device Manager”, expand the section related to the device (e.g. “Keyboards” or “Mice and other pointing devices”), right-click on the device, and select “Properties”. In the “Properties” window, click on the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the box next to “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Will stopping my USB ports from going to sleep affect my laptop’s battery life?
Yes, stopping your USB ports from going to sleep can affect your laptop’s battery life. The power-saving feature is designed to conserve power when the laptop is running on battery power. By disabling this feature, you may notice a decrease in battery life. However, the impact on battery life will depend on the specific devices connected to the USB ports and how often they are used.
If you need to keep your devices connected to the USB ports active at all times, you may need to consider using a separate power source for them, such as an external power bank or a powered USB hub. Alternatively, you can adjust the power settings for the laptop to optimize battery life.
Can I stop individual USB ports from going to sleep?
Yes, you can stop individual USB ports from going to sleep by adjusting the power management settings for each port separately. To do this, you need to identify the specific USB port that you want to keep active and then adjust the power settings for that port.
You can do this by opening the Device Manager, expanding the “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” section, and right-clicking on the “USB Root Hub” device associated with the specific USB port. Select “Properties” and then click on the “Power Management” tab. Uncheck the box next to “Selective suspend” to disable the power-saving feature for that specific USB port.
Will updating my USB drivers stop my USB ports from going to sleep?
Updating your USB drivers may not directly stop your USB ports from going to sleep, but it can improve the performance and stability of the USB ports. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues with the USB ports, including causing them to go to sleep randomly.
Installing the latest drivers for the USB controller or chipset can resolve issues related to power management and improve the overall performance of the USB ports. However, to stop the USB ports from going to sleep, you still need to adjust the power management settings as described above.
Are there any third-party tools that can stop my USB ports from going to sleep?
Yes, there are third-party tools available that can stop your USB ports from going to sleep. These tools can adjust the power management settings for the USB ports and prevent them from going into a low-power state. Some popular tools include USBDeview, USB PowerShell, and PowerSwitch.
These tools can provide additional features and options for managing USB devices and power management settings. However, be cautious when using third-party tools and make sure to download them from reputable sources to avoid any potential security risks.