4 Port USB Problem Stopped Working

[ellellell1]

Hi Everyone

I have recently discovered that my 4 USB port splitter has stopped working suddenly. It is about 4 years old and I am pretty sure it only supports USB devices up to 2.0

I am not exactly sure what caused it to stop working suddenly but I have two possible ideas.

A few days ago when I had it plugged in, the notification area displayed a message saying "This device can perform faster if connected to a 2.0 port". I am guessing this may have mucked up my USB device because my 4 Port USB is plugged into my computer via 3.0 USB and devices connected to it are all 2.0

Also I seem to have noticed quite a lot of USB drivers when I open device manager under "Universal Serial Bus controllers' and I am wondering if I need to disable one of them to allow my USB 4 port to work? (This is what happened with my sound utility)

I know that is should probably be plugged in to one of my other USB 2.0 ports on my computer but nothing happens there either. I think it needs to be reconised by the computer then it needs to install a driver called "MTT USB 2.0 Hub" or something.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Ranger4]

Disconnect one of the USB devices you have connected to your 4 port splitter, remove the 4 port from the computer & plug the USB device directly into the USB port, thereby by passing the 4 port device. If it now works then the 4 port is probably faulty.

 

[ellellell1]

Yes, that works. You are probably right it is quite old after all. Although when I was mucking around with the drivers yesterday it suddenly recognised it but then it disappeared. I also have a USB fan and when I plugged it into the 4 port usb splitter I tested all of the 4 ports and all of them worked.

 

[Berton]

A lot depends upon how much power the USB devices draw, the USB ports on the computer are somewhat limited. I use a 4-port self-powered Hub just for that reason.

 

[Ranger4]

Yes, that works. You are probably right it is quite old after all. Although when I was mucking around with the drivers yesterday it suddenly recognised it but then it disappeared. I also have a USB fan and when I plugged it into the 4 port usb splitter I tested all of the 4 ports and all of them worked.

The fan may work as it's only drawing power. Other USB device may or may not use power but they rely on other circuits through the USB connection that the fan would not use.

Berton's suggestion of a powered USB hub might be worth considering, if your USB devices need power from the USB to work.

 

[ellellell1]

Okay, Thanks i will look into that. I'm just wondering why it would have stopped working. It worked perfectly well before

 

[Ranger4]

Okay, Thanks i will look into that. I'm just wondering why it would have stopped working. It worked perfectly well before

Just about everything we buy & use eventually fails. It could have failed due to a broken wire inside, a bad connection or many other reasons.