Windows 10: USB Port Recognizes Flash Drives and External Hard Drives, but Only Provides Charge to...

I have two USB ports on my laptop HP, running Windows 11 and I can easily use my mouse and keyboard on it, as well as my external harddrive and various flash drives in either port without issue. Including using my USB extender with several harddrives and flash drives at once without issue. However, the second I try to connect any other devices ex. iPhone, Kindle Paperwhite, etc. to my computer, the devices receive charge, but Windows doesn't recognize them. These were recognized less than a month ago. With my iPhone, I know I have to accept the prompt to allow access. As for my Kindle Pape

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USB port only recognizes external hard drive.

One of my usb ports only recognizes 1 external hard drive. The hard drive is powered by the usb port and works in every other port. The usb port fails to recognize any other device I plug in (The last USB device you connect malfunctioned). The port does
however still charge devices. I have attempted every fix: reloading drivers, formatting and reinstalling windows, re flashing my bios, etc. This problem originally started upon trying to update windows with the external drive.

 

External hard drive connected by USB port

I have this external hard drive that has been designated as F and also a removable flash drive as E. Both use USB ports and have been working. Now the computer sees neither after rebooting twice. Tried to switch the ports and drives also. Any suggestions?

 

Toshiba external hard drive not recognized

Hi Philip,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that the external hard drive is not recognized by the PC. I appreciate your efforts in trying to resolve the issue.
It would be great if you can answer these questions to assist you in a better way.

• Did you try connecting the Hardrive to different USB Port?
  
• Does the Hardrive get detected if you try connecting it to a different PC?
  
• Are you aware of any changes made to the computer recently?
  

I suggest you refer and follow the steps mentioned in the KB article and check if that resolves the issueError:
“USB Device not recognized” when you try to access a USB external hard drive

Note: Ignore method 2 & 5 from the above article.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Zaki