[SOLVED] Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)

Why Does It Say Unknown USB Device Descriptor Request Failed

Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) is a Windows Device Manager error under the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section. The current device status is demonstrated as "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43). A request for the USB device descriptor failed."

The device descriptor (USB_DEVICE_DESCRIPTOR) is the root of the descriptor tree and contains basic device information. idVendor and idProduct, which are the unique members for the Windows operating system to identify the connected device and determine which device driver must be loaded. Here are some potential reasons that might cause this unknown USB issue in Windows 11 or 10:

• Corrupted or outdated USB drivers. Following a Windows update, mismatched drivers can clash.
• USB power management issues. Power hiccups show up when USB devices draw more than the port can handle. 
• Fast Startup conflict. That happens because the system skips part of the boot process. So the computer does not fully load the needed driver components. 
• Faulty USB ports or cables. When hardware wears down, the connection between devices often fails.
• Damaged USB device firmware. Flash drives, external HDDs, Android phones, or cameras may have corrupted firmware.

Anyway, we don't care about the tech-savvy's jargon but only want to know how to fix the device descriptor when the request failed.

How to Fix Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) in Windows 11/10

The driver issues take the most responsibility for an unknown USB device on HP, Lenovo, Dell, and many other computers. As you're concerned, the device descriptor request failed error is a generic unknown USB problem, so it's reasonable to suspect a driver issue at present. The USB device mentioned here can be used as a flash drive, pen drive, Android, digital camera, or any digital gadget that is supposed to be used on a Windows machine.

In the next part, we mainly show you the common troubleshooting methods for the "device descriptor request failed" error in Windows 10 or Windows 11. As a matter of fact, Windows 7 and Windows XP users are also having the same problem. Never mind applying the solutions to your own Windows operating system. They're all OS-version compatible.

Method 1. How to Fix USB Device Descriptor Request Failed with Some Quick Fixes

In case an unknown USB device (device descriptor request failed) error happens because the USB port is not working or you need to fix a corrupted flash drive, the following three fixes are significant to try before going to further troubleshooting.

• Fix 1. Try plugging in a working USB drive to check whether the USB port is working or damaged. 
• Fix 2. Plug your USB into a different PC to check whether the USB drive is working or damaged.
• Fix 3. Check if the USB device shows up in Disk Management. As long as the data matters, download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover data from the inaccessible USB device in advance. This software can help users read and recover data from unknown or unallocated USB flash drives.

Step 1. Choose the USB drive to scan

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and choose your USB drive where you lost important files. Click "Scan for lost data" to start.

Step 2. Check and preview USB drive data

When the scanning is finished, you can quickly locate a specific type of file by using the Filter feature as well as the Search option.

Step 3. Restore flash drive data

After checking and finding lost USB drive files, click "Recover" to restore them. You shall save the found files to a safe location on your PC rather than to your USB drive.

💡Tip: You can restore data on the local disks, external hard drives, and also the cloud storage.

You can share this USB recovery software on social media and help more users fix the "USB device descriptor request failed" error without losing data!

This USB recovery tool is trusted by many users; check the following real experience to learn more:

Due to the uncertainty of the exact factor that causes your USB drive to malfunction in this way, the demonstrated solutions are not all supposed to take effect. Hence, take some patience to implement each solution until the problem is solved. And here's a video that might be helpful to resolve this USB flash drive unknown error.

 

Method 2. Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter in Windows 11/10

A built-in troubleshooter in Windows can check USB problems like wrong drivers or stuck services. Even though Microsoft made it harder to find in recent updates, it handles initial connection breakdowns - especially when devices fail to send basic data correctly.

When the USB not recognized problem shows up out of nowhere and nothing physical was touched, this approach works well.

⭐For Windows 10 users:

Step 1. Press Win+R, type Control Panel and hit Enter.

Step 2. Inside the Control Panel in the search box type troubleshooter and select "Troubleshooting".

Step 3. After that, select "Configure a device" under Hardware and Sound and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 4. Click on "Apply" this fix if any problem is found. 

⭐For Windows 11 users:

For Windows 11 users, you cannot find the hardware troubleshooter in the settings, but you can run this USB repair tool in another way.

Step 1. Hit the Windows search box.

Step 2. Start by typing cmd, and click "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Start by typing msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic into the box. Hit Enter after that. The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter will appear next. This opens the tool needed for checking device issues.

If the unknown USB device error is triggered by hardware issues, it will no longer appear after you try the above steps. If not, you need to move on to the next method to find a fix.

Method 3. Uninstall USB Drivers to Fix an Unknown USB Device

Windows may not accurately read the device descriptor if USB drivers are corrupted due to Windows updates, improper shutdowns, or prolonged device reuse. The system must rebuild the complete USB controller stack when USB drivers are reinstalled.

Step 1. Open Device Manager (right-click on the Windows logo and click "Device Manager").

Step 2. Now find and expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Now right-click on USB drivers and click "Uninstall." Do it for all USB drivers one by one.

Step 3. Restart your PC, and then Windows will reinstall the device automatically.

Some people would find that uninstalling and reinstalling the driver only works once. The next time they plug in the drive, the device descriptor request failed appears again. According to an experienced user who has been suffering from the problem for a long time, but finally found the cause of why this method does not work and how to make it work.

Method 4. Disable Fast Startup to Fix Unknown USB Flash Drive

If the USB flash drive is still shown as Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) after trying basic troubleshooting methods, Windows Fast Startup could be the hidden cause. Fast Startup uses a hybrid shutdown mode to speed up boot time, but it may prevent USB drivers from being fully re-initialized, resulting in USB detection issues. Disabling Fast Startup forces Windows to perform a complete shutdown and reload all hardware drivers, which can help the system recognize the USB flash drive properly. Follow the steps below to turn off Fast Startup.

Step 1. Press Win+R, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.

Step 2. Click on "Hardware and Sound".

Step 3. Click on "Power Options"。

Step 4. Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".

Step 5. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended). Then click on the "Save changes" button.

Method 5. Turn on Plug and Play in Windows Services

If Windows still fails to recognize the USB flash drive, the issue may be related to the Plug and Play (PnP) service, which is responsible for detecting and configuring hardware devices automatically. When this service is disabled or not functioning properly, newly connected USB devices may appear as unknown or fail to load the correct drivers. Restarting or re-enabling the Plug and Play service can refresh the hardware detection process and help Windows correctly identify the USB device. Follow the steps below to check and reset the Plug and Play service in Windows.

Step 1. Press Win+R, and type services.msc and hit Enter.

Step 2. In Windows Services, find the name Plug and Play. Double-click on it to open the Properties window.

Step 3. If the Startup type is currently "Manual" and the Service status is "Running", try to turn it to "Disabled" and "Stopped", save the changes, and later change the "Disabled" and "Stopped" to "Manual" and "Running" again. Click OK and Apply.

Step 4. If the startup type is currently disabled and the Service status is stopped, switch to "Manual" and "Running". Click "OK" and "Apply".

Restart your PC and see if the unknown USB device problem has been resolved in Windows 10. If it doesn't work, try to perform a system restore to get rid of this issue. 

Method 6. Restore Your PC To Previous Recovery Points

If all previous methods fail to resolve the unknown USB device issue, it may be caused by recent system changes, driver updates, or software conflicts. In this case, restoring your PC to a previous recovery point allows Windows to roll back to a state when the USB ports and devices were working correctly, effectively undoing any changes that might have triggered the problem. This method can help recover both system stability and proper USB functionality. Follow the steps below based on your Windows version to perform a system restore.

⭐For Windows 10 users:

Step 1. Press Win+R, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.

Step 2. Now, find and open the Recovery option.

Step 3. Select System Restore, follow the on-screen guide, and wait until all the recovery points are shown.

Step 4. Restore your PC from the right recovery point.

⭐For Windows 11 users:

Step 1. Search for "Create a restore point" in the Windows search box, and open the settings.

Step 2. If you have created a restore point before, you can choose "System Restore" to restore your PC.

Share this method on social media and help other USB users fix this USB unknown issue!

How to Prevent the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) Issue

To minimize the chances of encountering the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) error in the future, follow these practical tips:

• Use Properly Ejected USB Devices. To avoid corruption or driver problems, always safely eject your USB devices before disconnecting them.
• Keep Windows Updated. Frequent updates guarantee that system components and USB drivers work with the newest hardware.
• Update USB Drivers. Use Device Manager or the manufacturer's website to check for USB controller and device driver updates.
• Avoid Faulty USB Ports or Hubs. Instead of using unreliable hubs or extensions, connect devices straight to the primary USB ports on your computer.
• Use Quality USB Devices. Descriptor errors are more likely to occur on drives that are damaged or of poor quality.
• Disable Fast Startup if Needed. As was already indicated, USB recognition may occasionally be hampered by this Windows function.
• Perform Regular System Maintenance. Run disk checks, clean up temporary files, and scan for malware to maintain system stability.

USB Unknown Device Descriptor Failed FAQs

1. How do I fix unknown USB device (set address failed)?

First, restart your computer and disconnect the USB device. After trying a new USB port or cable, use Device Manager to update or reinstall USB drivers. For USB controllers, turning off power management and Fast Startup can also be beneficial.

2. What causes an unknown USB device (device descriptor request failed) on Windows 11?

Power management problems, out-of-date Windows updates, damaged USB drivers, or defective USB devices are typically the causes of this error. Proper device setup may occasionally be hampered by quick starting, broken connections, or unreliable USB ports.

3. Can I resolve unknown USB device port reset failed?

Yes. Reconnecting the device, switching USB ports, and restarting your computer often works. You can also uninstall the USB controller in Device Manager and reboot. Updating chipset drivers or disabling USB power saving may permanently fix the issue.