Prevent Windows from Turning Off USB Devices
Can cause problems with your peripherals
To save power, Windows automatically shuts down the power to USB ports. It surely saves power, but what if it is causing you problems with your auxiliary devices or if you simply need a USB device that is always powered?
Power management is also a common cause of USB-connected device issues; if Windows is able to shut down your USB controller, it sometimes won’t be able to properly power it back up again, which will prevent some USB devices (especially scanners, cameras and some phones like Blackberry) from working.
Prevent Windows from Turning Off USB Devices
To prevent Windows from “managing” power to your USB controller or devices, follow these steps:
Open Device Manager by typingdevice managerin theStart>Searchpanel.
The Device Manager window will open. Expand theUniversal Serial Bus controllersbranch, then double-click theUSB Root Hub device, and choose thePower Managementtab.
Turn off theAllow the computer to turn off this device to save powerbyuncheckingthe box then click the OK button:
Repeat the step on each USB root hub or do it only for USB ports that you want to be permanently powered on. If you experience lost USB connections or power from a USB port to your auxiliary device, try the steps above then idle the device and wait for a few minutes to confirm that the problem has gone away.
Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio
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