Three simple troubleshooting tips for USB devices

A mainstay of most offices, there is no doubt that USB drives are an asset.

Whether you need to swiftly share a file or back-up work to prevent data loss during a maintenance issue, USBs help in countless scenarios.

Taking up minimal desk space while offering many gigabytes of memory storage, USB devices certainly have their benefits, but what happens when you insert one into a port on your PC, only to find it can’t be recognised?

Read on for some handy troubleshooting tips.

Try another device in the port

When a USB drive isn’t recognised by your computer, try connecting a different device – such as a mouse, tablet or keyboard – in the same port it was plugged into. If it recognised the equipment you connect, the USB may be the problem.

Insert drive in another port

Most PCs have multiple USB ports. Check if the port has a fault rather than your USB drive by inserting it into another. If your computer recognises it now, you can access the device, but get an IT engineer to examine the port problem when you get chance, to prevent the issue recurring.

Use your USB on another computer

Finally, ask another user in the office to try the USB device and see if they have the same problem. If their machine recognises the device, the error may lie in your PC, not in the USB drive.

While these tips can help you diagnose the root of your USB issue, if problems persist, an IT engineer is required. For dependable support, call us at 127 Solutions.