Solved Usb port suddenly dies, no permanent solution.

[Rikuzen]

Hey guys,

So I'm using an ASUS notebook N61Jq to which I've hooked a mouse and a keyboard to. Now very recently, my usb port that I was using for my keyboard stops working suddenly. The only way I've been able to fix this problem is to restart my laptop, but for some reason, I have to hold down the power button because it won't restart by itself. Even if I use this method to try and fix it, my usb port will stop working again after a few minutes.

Is anyone able to tell me why this is happening and what I can do to permanently fix the problem? The laptop is fairly new, so I'm really not sure what's wrong =/

Help would be appreciated

Thanks!

 

[sk0t0s]

have you tried to reinstall the USB drivers?

or try this step that i used on one of my friends lappy..

- Unplug all the cables that are connected to your laptop
- Remove the battery of your laptop
- leave it for 5 min
- Plug everything back and turn your laptop on.

hope it works, Goodluck!

 

[TVeblen]

You might want to check this setting:

Go to your Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus Controllers
Start with the first "USB Root Hub" > Right click > Properties
(If it is the port with the mouse or keyboard you will see it listed here)
Go to the Power Management Tab
And be sure that the setting is not checked to turn off the device to save power.

 

[Rikuzen]

Hello,

I've tried both methods and while they do seem to fix temporarily without having to restart my computer, the problems still keeps arising. When this happens, my laptop starts to make a ringing sound. More help would be appreciated thanks D:

 

[sk0t0s]

Hello Rikuzen, Try to use System Restore to go back to a time when you know it was working properly.

If it doesnt do the job, try to update your chipset

 

[TVeblen]

I've tried both methods and while they do seem to fix temporarily without having to restart my computer, the problems still keeps arising. When this happens, my laptop starts to make a ringing sound. More help would be appreciated thanks D:

Would you call it more of a ringing sound or could it be beeping?
Many motherboards have small electronic speakers on them that emit a 'beep code' that helps technicians in diagnostics. The beeping will (should) have a pattern of long and short beeps, like Morse Code.

Pay close attention to the sound and see if you can notice the pattern. From that code we may be able to see what the motherboard is saying.

 

[Slartybart]

All good suggestions. If you haven't already - check the mouse/kb manufacturer's site for driver updates. I had a laser printer that would not work on Vista or Win7 (XP drivers on the original disc). It took years, but they eventually released Win7 drivers. Different problem I know, but..... any HW can be finicky.

 

[Rikuzen]

Hello,

I've tried all suggestions but they only seem to be a temporary solutions, as the problem keeps coming back. I suppose I should try and get my laptop checked...

EDIT: I should also mention that disabling and enabling my driver was the most effective method of fixing it, but now the device manager either stops working completely when I try to disable/enable that one particular driver, or it gives me a message that says due to hardware changes I have to restart my computer. However once this driver stops working, I can no longer restart my computer properly. I have to hold down the power button and turn it on again.

The problem with that is that unless I restart my laptop again, my laptop will freeze within 15-20 minutes from starting up.

I'm starting to think it's a bigger problem?

 

[alphanumeric]

Open up device manager, then go to Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Go to the properties for the USB Root Hub entries and look under the Power Tab. If you see a device that is drawing a lot of current that could be the problem. USB ports Have an overload protection circuit built into them. When it trips the port is disabled to prevent damaging your motherboard. The only way to reset the port it is to completely remove the power to it. I believe 500ma is the cutoff point. Maybe the mouse is defective and shorting out. If its corded there could be a break in one of the wires in the cord.

 

[Rikuzen]

Thanks for all the help everyone, but it seems that because of this driver problem the rest of the laptop gradually started to break. I'm going try a system restore and if that doesn't work, I'm probably going to have to buy a new laptop, as it's no longer covered by the warranty.

 

[TVeblen]

Does the system still beep? Do you hear a distinct beep pattern?

A good test, to determine if the problem is OS related or hardware related, is to download and burn a 'Live CD' of a Linux program like Ubuntu. This is an operating system that boots and runs entirely from the CD. If the USB ports work while using Ubuntu then you will know that the laptop is OK and you have a problem with Windows.

 

[Rikuzen]

The beeping as stopped. I might have accidentally mistook the sound for something else.

About downloading ubuntu, I just recently performed a system restore, although I decided to only wipe out my C drive, and the problem is still here as though the system restore never happened. This means it's definitely a driver problem and not the usb port being physically broken correct?

Should I still try installing ubuntu?

Thanks, and sorry it's taking so long to figure out how to fix this problem

EDIT: seems like all my usb ports are now dying randomly...
EDIT2: I disabled the usb root hub and for some reason the usb port is working fine now ._. I'm really inexperienced with computers so I have no idea what's going on but the problem seems to be fixed for now... Thanks for all the help!

 

[TVeblen]

I just recently performed a system restore, although I decided to only wipe out my C drive, and the problem is still here as though the system restore never happened. This means it's definitely a driver problem and not the usb port being physically broken correct?

Incorrect. It means it is less likely to be a software or operating system problem (drivers only affect the Operating System) and more likely to be a hardware problem.

Disabling the USB root hub having an effect is a good clue. This would indicate that one or more of the hubs is either defective, or have a corrupted driver. (Yes - completely contradicting what I just said above.)

Running Ubuntu will tell us conclusively whether we are dealing with a hardware problem or a problem with the Operating System and drivers.

But you could try this too: go into device Manager and Uninstall all of the USB Host Controllers and USB Root Hubs and then restarting the computer, allowing Windows to reinstall the drivers again.

See if that helps.

 

[Rikuzen]

I think uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers might have done the trick Thank you for the help!

 

[TVeblen]

Cool!
You gotta like it when it is the easier fix!