Solved: How do I fix the Generic USB Hub not showing in Windows Device Manager?

Problem Symptom

Windows users reported external HD not showing after plugin it into the laptop. The USB ports stop working on Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, and the Generic USB Hub device driver is not showing in Device Manager in Windows. Try the below-recommended solutions to resolve the USB ports’ stop working issue.

I’ve attached an external HD to my laptop and although I hear it connecting when I plug it in nothing happens, it does not show on my list of devices on my laptop and when I check the Device Manager I have no Generic USB Hub. I have tried it on a second laptop and it works fine but that has the Generic Hub. Both laptops are running the latest version of Windows 10, I would like to know how I can get the Generic Hub to work on the other laptop, I have tried various things from Google and YouTube but without success.

I’ve been searching my computer for what’s wrong with my computer, and I see that my Generic USB device is not showing on Device Manager on my laptop. Therefore, I believe that Generic USB Hub is not on my laptop, and I pretty much think this is the problem. Is there a way I can retain the Generic USB Hub to make sure that is why my USB ports are responding? How can you download or upload Generic USB Hub on
my laptop?

I connect a mouse and it does not work, I check the device manager, and the generic USB Hub driver does not appear, I test all the USB ports and if they work with USB 3.0, external disks. As I would for

I’ve been having issues with my USB ports and thought it may have been related to an issue I’ve had for some time now. This issue shows up as ‘Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)’ in the device manager. To resolve this problem, I’ve attempted a few fixes found online. I have tried hardware troubleshooting, power plan editing, and turning off a fast startup, all with no results. Some fixes online involve a device called ‘Generic USB Hub’, but that device does not appear in my device manager. Is there a reason it isn’t appearing or does it need to be installed? If it needs to be installed, how would I go about doing that?

Content Summary

Pre-check
Solution 1: Enable USB ports
Solution 2: Show Hidden Non-present devices
Solution 3: Disable USB selective suspend settings in Power Options
Solution 4: Scan for hardware changes
Solution 5: Install Generic USB Hub drivers
Solution 6: Uninstall and reinstall Generic USB Hub drivers
Solution 7: Update Generic USB Hub drivers manually
Solution 8: Run USB Troubleshooter
Solution 9: Contact manufacturer
Reference

Pre-check

• Restart computer.
• Connect USB drive directly to PC.

Solution 1: Enable USB ports

Enable USB Drives and Mass Storage Devices using Registry

Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open a Run box.

Step 2: Type regedit and press Enter to open up the Registry Editor. Click Yes to grant administrative privileges when prompted by the UAC (User Account Control).

Step 3: Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR

Step 4: Double-click on the Start in the right pane.

Step 5: Change the value to 3 to enable USB Ports.

Step 6: Click the OK button and close the Registry Editor.

Enable USB device in Device Manager

Check in the Device Manager to enable the disabled USB port by right-click on the selected one and select Enable device from the context menu.

Solution 2: Show hidden non-present devices using Command Prompt

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box next to the Start button.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt to choose Run as administrator. A UAC or User Account Control Box will show up, click Yes.

Step 3: Type the following command and press the Enter key: SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1

Step 4: Type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open up Device Manager. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

Step 5: Click on the View menu and select the Show hidden devices option to display additional devices.

Solution 3: Disable USB selective suspend settings in Power Options

Step 1: Type Control Panel in the search box then enter to open Control panel.

Step 2: Click on Power Options.

Step 3: Click on the Change plan settings link next to the plan option you’re having now.

Step 4: Click the Change advanced power settings link.

Step 5: Expand the USB settings > USB selective suspend settings.

Step 6: Select the Disable option.

Solution 4: Scan for hardware changes

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box next to the Start button.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt to choose Run as administrator. A UAC or User Account Control Box will show up, click Yes.

Step 3: Type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open up Device Manager. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

Step 4: Click on the Action menu and select the Scan for hardware changes option to display additional devices.

Solution 5: Install Generic USB Hub drivers

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box next to the Start button.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt to choose Run as administrator. A UAC or User Account Control Box will show up, click Yes.

Step 3: Type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open up Device Manager. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

Step 4: Double-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand the category.

Step 5: Right-click on the Generic USB Hub device (it may display as Unknown device), then click the Update driver option from the context menu.

Step 6: Choose the Browse my computer for driver software option.

Step 7: Click on the Browse button, then navigate to C:\Windows\winsxs when it asks for the driver location.

Step 8: Click on the Install button to install the Windows generic file.

Step 9: Restart the PC after the installation completed.

Solution 6: Uninstall and reinstall Generic USB Hub drivers

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box next to the Start button.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt to choose Run as administrator. A UAC or User Account Control Box will show up, click Yes.

Step 3: Type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open up Device Manager. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

Step 4: Double-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand the category.

Step 5: Right-click on the Generic USB Hub device (it may display as Unknown device), then click the Uninstall driver option from the context menu.

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish uninstallation. If you see the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox, select it and then continue to uninstall the device.

Step 7: Restart your computer, Windows will automatically scan for hardware changes and reinstall all the USB Root Hubs that you have uninstalled.

Note: If you’re having issues with USB Root Hub, you can right-click the affected USB Root Hub, and click Uninstall to remove it. Aftert hat restart the computer, Windows will automatically scan for hardware changes and reinstall all the USB Root Hubs that you have uninstalled.

Solution 7: Update Generic USB Hub drivers manually

Step 1: Type cmd in the search box next to the Start button.

Step 2: Right-click on Command Prompt to choose Run as administrator. A UAC or User Account Control Box will show up, click Yes.

Step 3: Type devmgmt.msc and then press Enter to open up Device Manager. Click Yes if prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).

Step 4: Double-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand the category.

Step 5: Right-click on the Generic USB Hub device (it may display as Unknown device), then click the Update driver option from the context menu.

Step 6: Choose the Search automatically for update driver software option.

Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish updating.

Step 8: Restart your PC.

Solution 8: Execute Windows USB Troubleshooter

Windows USB Troubleshooter Fix It tool from Microsoft will diagnose and fix Windows USB problems automatically. If the USB device is not being recognized, Windows USB Troubleshooter will remove the upper and lower filters for portable devices. It will also check if Windows Updates have been configured correctly.

Once the Windows USB Troubleshooter executed, it will scan the system for potential problem areas and then present with a detailed report. You can opt to let it automatically fix all problem or you can choose to decide which of the presented issues you’d like the tool to fix.

Solution 9: Contact manufacturer

Reference

• Microsoft Community > Generic USB Hub Device Missing
• HP Customer Support – Knowledge Base > HP PCs – Troubleshooting USB Connections (Windows 10, 8)
• HP Community > Notebook Software and How To Questions > El generic USb hub driver no is present in divice manager
• Microsoft Support > Troubleshoot common USB problems