How To Make Windows 10 Recognize A USB Device; Issue Already Persisted In Past OS

Devices running Microsoft's new platform Windows 10 at times, do not recognize a USB device and this issue already existed during Windows 98. Unfortunately, it seems to continue with Windows 10. Microsoft News gave a workaround to make the platform recognize the USB.

Restart can be wonderful, just like Moss and Roy said on The IT Crowd TV show. When the computer restarts and the USB is plugged back to the device, it may already work.

It might help to try another port, a non-Windows 10 OS or another computer and see if the USB works. If it does, it might be helpful to transfer important files to a different device. If not, then the  USB is the one that has a problem, said Toshiba support.

The plug-and-play USB device needs codes called "drivers" so it can interact with the computer. Hence, the user can give it a try if the device prompts for the installation of a driver. Otherwise, the user can check Printers under Control Panel and see if it lists an unidentified or unknown USB or device. If there is, the user can go to its Properties and do driver update. This thing may require rebooting the device.

To get the device driver, the user can alternatively go to the website of the USB manufacturer to get the driver.

Another thing is that the device may be reading other inserted USB device, so it might help unplugging them to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Lastly, opening the Device Manager and expanding USB Serial Bus controllers can also help. When there, the user can right click on the USB Root Hub, Properties then Power Management tab and uncheck on the option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." This can be done with every entry if there are more than one listed USB Root Hubs. Then, Windows 10 may recognize the USB device.