Fix USB-C problems

USB-C overview

With a USB-C connection, you can charge your Windows 10 PC, and you can also connect to other USB Type-C devices such as mobile phones, docking stations, display adapters, and other devices that have a USB-C port.

Unfortunately, some combinations of hardware and software may cause problems. If this happens, you may get a notification that there’s something wrong with the USB-C connection. We’ve provided some tips below to help you fix things. And if you want to change whether you see notifications about USB issues, here’s how:

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > USB.

Select or clear the Notify me if there are issues connecting to USB devices box.

Note: If you’re having trouble downloading photos, see Import photos and videos from phone to PC.

Here are some USB-C notifications you might receive if there’s a problem:

You might be able to fix your USB device

Your USB device ran into a problem. Follow these steps to try to fix it. (Error code ____)

Try these solutions

Find the error code on your Windows 10 PC (or phone) and then note it.

For the error code you see, follow the troubleshooting steps described in Error codes in Device Manager in Windows.

Note: This applies to all the error codes shown in Device Manager except error Code 28 (drivers for the device aren’t installed).

The USB device that you connected to reported a problem, or there’s a problem with the device driver.

Select the Start button, then in the search box on the taskbar, type device manager and select Device Manager from the list of results.

In Device Manager, find the device. It should be marked with a yellow exclamation point symbol.

Choose the device, press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Properties. The error code is displayed under Device status.

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open action center. The notification appears in action center with the error code listed there.

Slow USB charger connected

To speed up charging, use the charger and cable that came with your device.

Try these solutions

Use the charger and cable included with your PC (or phone).

Make sure you’re connecting your charger to the USB-C charging port on your PC (or phone).

Use a can of compressed air to clean the USB-C port on your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t compatible with your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t powerful enough to charge your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t connected to a charging port on your PC (or phone).

The charging cable isn’t powerful enough for the charger, PC, or phone.

Dust or dirt inside the USB port on your device prevented the charger from being inserted correctly.

The charger is connected through an external hub or dock.

A PC (or phone) with USB Type-C connectors has larger power limits. If the connector supports USB Power Delivery, it can charge even faster at greater power levels.

To charge faster, your PC (or phone), charger, and cable must all support the industry standards. Your charger and cable must also support the power levels your PC (or phone) requires for the faster charging. For example, if your PC requires 12V and 3A for the fastest charging, a 5V, 3A charger won’t give you the fastest charging.

Chargers that don’t have a standard USB Type-C connector might use a proprietary, nonstandard connector that your PC (or phone) doesn’t support.

PC (or phone) isn’t charging

To speed up charging, use the charger and cable that came with your device.

Try these solutions

Use the charger and cable included with your PC (or phone).

Make sure you’re connecting your charger to the USB-C charging port on your PC (or phone).

Use a can of compressed air to clean the USB-C port on your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t compatible with your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t powerful enough to charge your PC (or phone).

The charger isn’t connected to a charging port on your PC (or phone).

The charging cable doesn’t meet the power requirements for the charger, PC, or phone.

Dust or dirt inside the USB port on your device might be preventing the charger from being inserted correctly.

The charger is connected to your PC (or phone) through an external hub or dock.

A PC (or phone) with USB Type-C connectors has larger power limits. If the connector supports USB Power Delivery, it can charge even faster at greater power levels.

To charge faster, your PC (or phone), charger, and cable must all support the industry standards. Your charger and cable must also support the power levels your PC (or phone) requires for the faster charging. For example, if your PC requires 12V and 3A for the fastest charging, a 5V, 3A charger won’t give you the fastest charging.

Chargers that don’t have a standard USB Type-C connector might use a proprietary, nonstandard connector that your PC (or phone) doesn’t support.

The USB device might not work

Try connecting it to a PC.

Try these solutions

Make sure your Windows 10 phone has all the latest updates for Windows. To check for the latest updates, on Start , swipe over to the All apps list, and then select Settings > Update & security > Phone update > Check for updates. This lets you check for the latest updates for Windows and the latest device drivers. For more info, see Windows 10 Updates.

If your Windows 10 phone is already running the latest version of Windows 10 Mobile, try to connect your device to a Windows 10 PC instead.

There’s a driver in the device you connected to that isn’t supported in the version of Windows 10 Mobile your phone is running. For information about the supported devices, see Universal Serial Bus (USB).

USB or Thunderbolt device functionality might be limited

Make sure the device you’re connecting to is supported and that you’re using the right cable.

Try these solutions

Make sure your PC (or phone) supports the same USB-C features as the connected device.

Make sure the cable supports the same USB-C features as the connected device.

Make sure the device or dongle is connected directly to your PC (or phone).

Make sure the device or dongle is connected to the USB-C port on your PC (or phone) that supports the correct Alternate Mode. For example, if you’re connecting a Thunderbolt Alternate Mode device, make sure you connect to the USB-C port that supports Thunderbolt.

The device or dongle you connected to has new features for USB-C that your PC (or phone) doesn’t support.

The device you connected to has new features for USB-C that the cable doesn’t support.

The device or dongle isn’t connected to the correct USB-C port on your PC (or phone).

The device or dongle is using an external hub or dock to connect to your PC (or phone).

Too many other Alternate Mode devices or dongles are connected to your PC (or phone).

USB Type-C has a new feature called Alternate Modes. If your USB-C cable has this feature, you can connect to non-USB devices that support the same Alternate Mode. For example, if your USB-C cable has the Thunderbolt Alternate Mode, you can connect to Thunderbolt devices. There’s no setting to turn on—your device automatically uses the appropriate mode if it’s supported.

The Alternate Mode feature must be supported on the PC or phone’s hardware and software, and the connected device or dongle. You might also need a specific USB-C cable.

Display connection might be limited

DisplayPort/MHL connection might not work. Try using a different cable.

Try these solutions

Make sure your PC (or phone), the external display, and the cable all support DisplayPort or MHL alternate modes.

Make sure the device or dongle is connected directly to your PC (or phone).

Make sure the device or dongle is connected to the USB-C port on your PC (or phone) that supports the correct Alternate Mode. For example, a DisplayPort Alternate Mode adapter should be connected to the USB-C port on your PC (or phone) that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

The device or dongle you connected to has new features for USB-C that your PC (or phone) doesn’t support.

The device you connected to has new features for USB-C that the cable doesn’t support.

The device or dongle isn’t connected to the correct USB-C port on your PC (or phone).

The device or dongle is connected to your PC (or phone) using an external hub or dock.

There are too many other devices or dongles connected to your PC (or phone) that use a USB-C connection.

Notes: USB Type-C has a new feature called Alternate Modes which allows you to use non-USB connections with the USB-C cable and connection. There’s no setting to turn on—your device automatically uses the appropriate mode if it’s supported. Here are the display Alternate Modes that your cable may support:

The DisplayPort Alternate Mode lets you project video and play audio on an external display that supports DisplayPort.

The MHL Alternate Mode lets you project video and play audio on an external display that supports MHL.

The HDMI Alternate Mode lets you project video and play audio on an external display that supports HDMI.

These two PCs (mobile devices) can’t communicate

Try connecting one of them to a mobile device (PC).

Try this solution

Connect your Windows 10 PC to a Windows 10 phone instead.

These types of connections aren’t currently supported:

Connecting two Windows 10 PCs together with a USB-C connection.

Connecting two Windows 10 phones together with a USB-C connection.

Use different USB port

This USB port doesn’t support DisplayPort or Thunderbolt or MHL. Plug the USB device into a different USB port on your PC.

The USB device might have limited functionality when connected to this port. Plug the USB device into a different USB port on your PC.

Try these solutions

Make sure the device or dongle is connected directly to your PC (or phone).

Make sure the device or dongle is connected to the USB-C port on your PC (or phone) that supports the features of the device or dongle. For example, if you’re connecting a Thunderbolt device, make sure it’s connected to the USB-C port on your PC (or phone) that supports Thunderbolt.

The device or dongle isn’t connected to the correct USB-C port on your PC (or phone).

The device or dongle is connected to your PC (or phone) using an external hub or dock.

USB device might not be working properly

Your PC (or phone) might not provide enough power to the USB device. Plug a power adapter into your USB device, or try to use a different PC (or phone).

Try these solutions

If the USB device can be powered externally, plug it into an external power source.

Plug your PC (or phone) into an external power source and don’t run it on battery power.

Disconnect any unused USB devices that are connected to your PC.

Your PC (or phone) can’t power the device you connected to because that device isn’t supported.

Your PC (or phone) has a low battery, so it has temporarily limited the amount of power it can provide to the device.

Your PC (or phone) is providing power to other devices, so it has temporarily limited the power it provides to the device you just connected to.

The device you connected to requires more power than the PC (or phone) can provide.

Unsupported USB audio adapter

Connect a USB-C digital audio adapter instead.

Try this solution

If you have a USB-C analog audio adapter connected to your PC, unplug it, then connect a USB-C digital audio adapter instead.

Your PC doesn’t support the audio adapter you connected to.

Note: There are two types of USB-C audio adapters: analog and digital. Most PCs only support USB-C digital audio adapters, which contain hardware that converts digital audio data from your PC to an analog signal that your headphones or speakers can play. USB-C digital audio adapters are often more expensive than analog audio adapters.

How to Fix USB Printing Isssues in Windows 10/Mac

Sue Wayne

Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

A computer recognizes some printer through plug-and-play capabilities, but there are instances where it fails to detect the printer. Since these are usually equipped with a USB-connected plug, all you need to do is insert it in a USB port. As a consequence, the device fails to pick up a printing request, pending the document in the printing tray. However, this issue can be solved easily with various methods.

OVERVIEW OF PRINTER

If you get the printer not connected error, certain fixes will help you be able to print again. Multiple scenarios cause this issue. One may be a faulty USB cable that prevents the printer to be detected by the computer. It could also be that the driver for the device is missing or corrupted. Malware may also block the system from recognizing the printer as a plugged peripheral device.

Whether the printer isn’t detected by attaching the cable or over the network, here are some fixes you can try to solve the issue.

HOW TO FIX IN WINDOWS 10

1. CHECK CONNECTION OF PRINTER

a. Restart the printer

Click the printer’s power off to shut it down, and then press to power on again. Wait a few moments to complete the process.

b. Check the printer’s connection issue

Perform a physical inspection of the printer’s USB cable to see if there are any cuts or breaks. Make sure that it is connected correctly and firmly. You can also check USB ports for any damages, and clean it with a soft brush indicated for cleaning computer parts. The dirt inside the USB port can accumulate and affect the function of these slots.

If you have a wireless printer, check the manufacturer’s manual and follow the steps to reconnecting the printer to the Bluetooth or network. The process may vary from one manufacturer to another, so make sure to have the manual handy in cases like this. Also, you can check out the company’s website since they usually have product manuals that can be downloaded online.

c. Check network connectivity

If your printer relies on the wireless network, it will never work when the network is down or having issues. Check your internet connection and troubleshoot if the need arises, and then try reconnecting the printer again.

2. UPDATE DRIVERS

Outdated printer drivers can cause the «printer not connected» error. Keep your drivers up to date to avoid these issues from arising. You can choose to update automatically or manually.

MANUALLY:

Go to your printer manufacturer’s website and search for the specific driver of your printer model. You can use their site’s search bar to do so. Since printer drivers are brand-specific, you cannot download just about any printer driver. Make sure that the driver you download is compatible with your Windows version, and is also up-to-date so as not to cause the said error.

AUTOMATICALLY:

You can use third-party software to detect your printer and Windows version, and it will find the specific driver for you.

3.USE TROUBLESHOOT

Try the troubleshooting tool to scan and fix your printer.

a. LaunchВ Control PanelВ by typing in the search bar and clicking the top result.

b. SelectВ Devices and Printers.

c. Find the specific printer and right-click it. ChooseВ Troubleshoot.

d. The system will then automatically diagnose the printer; follow the wizard should Windows attempt to fix the problem.

4. RESTART PRINT SPOOLER SERVICE

Print Spooler Service handles print jobs and interactions within the system and printer. If the error is found in the service, you can restart it and try printing again.

a. PressВ Win + RВ to launchВ Run.

b. Key inВ services.mscВ and chooseВ OK.

c. FindВ Print SpoolerВ on the list of services and right-click on it. ChooseВ Stop. After a few seconds, right-click again and selectВ StartВ to restart the service.

. If the service isn’t running, right-click again, and selectВ Start.

e. Restart your PC and try printing again.

HOW TO FIX IN MAC

1. CHECK PC TO PRINTER CONNECTIVITY

The first thing to check when you receive a printer not connected error is to see whether the printer is included in the devices list. If it is, you can proceed with the following methods to fix the error.

2. PRINTER USB CONNECTIVITY

a. Press theВ PowerВ button for a few seconds to turn it off, and wait for five seconds.

b. Unplug the printer’s USB cable usually located at the back of the device.

c. Turn the printer on by pressing theВ PowerВ button. The printer may start printing the queued documents, so wait for it to complete.

d. After a few moments, reconnect the printer to the Mac by plugging the USB cable to the corresponding port. Ensure that the USB cable is inserted firmly and in place. If the printer begins to print the queued documents, wait for it to complete before proceeding.

e. Try printing again. If the issue persists, follow the next method.

3. WIRELESS PRINTER CONNECTIVITY

a. Switch the printer off by pressing theВ PowerВ button until the indicator turns off.

b. Try restarting the printer by powering it on. If this does not work, try restarting your router to reset the network. Remember to close all network tasks. To restart, simply unplug the router from the power source and plug it again.

c. Wait for the router to connect to the internet. When you notice the indicator turned on, you can proceed to the next step.

d. Reboot your Mac. As soon as it restarts, click theВ AppleВ logo and selectВ System Preferences.

e. SelectВ Printers and ScannersВ and find the printer name on the list.

f. If the printer shows up on the list of connected printers, it means that you can start printing wirelessly again. Otherwise, the network may be having issues that prevent the system from printing.

4. RESET THE PRINTER

a. Make sure that the device is inactive before continuing.

b. Switch the printer on and unplug the cable completely, both the USB connection on the device and the plug to the power socket. Wait for at least a minute.

c. Reconnect the cable and plug it to the power source.

d. Turn it on by clicking theВ PowerВ button. Retry printing again.

5. DELETE THE OTHER PRINTERS FROM THE LIST

If multiple printers of the same name are listed as a connected device on Mac, remove all the unnecessary ones (extra printer entries of the same printer) except the one that showsВ Idle. This is usually indicated with a green button below its name.

a. OpenPrinters and ScannersВ to see the list of connected devices.

b. Remove the extra entries (multiple entries of the same printer on the list) by selecting and deleting one by one. Remove by clicking the minus button as shown in the image.

c. Set the Idle printer as the default printer.

d. Try printing again.

6. Clear Printing Queue and Add Printer Again

a. Check the network connection before proceeding.

b. Go toВ Printers and ScannersВ and open the list of connected printers. Delete the current printer by clicking on the minus button at the bottom right of the screen.

c. Re-add it by clicking the plus button, select the device from the list that turns up and chooseВ Add.

d. SelectВ UseВ or theВ Print Using

e. Select Airprint or by choosing the available printer.

f. If the printer isВ Idle, try printing again.

7. Reconfigure or Reset the Printing System

a. On the list of printers found inВ Printers and Scanners, right-click on the space of the printers list and selectВ the Reset printing system.

b. Key in the administrator’s account (Username and password). SelectВ OK.

c. The list will then be refreshed and emptied. Add a printer by clicking the plus button at the bottom left of the screen.

d. Retry printing.

CONCLUSION

Printers are essential in everyday lives, and fixing an issue such as printer offline or not connected might necessitate advanced troubleshooting. Having a professional check your printer will be better for a fast and efficient resolution of the issue.

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