Laptop does not recognize USB flash drives or transfer cable

hunter1801 · 08 May 2019

My laptop does not recognize USB flash drives, external drives, or my data/transfer cable. Problem discovered when I needed to move files from this laptop to another and nothing worked. USB mouse (wired or wireless) works though.

When I plug in a flash drive, it detects it, but lists it under "Other devices" in Device Manager. Device Manager will show all USB drives and the transfer cable under the Other Devices menu. When I right click the item to view the error message, it says "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)"

If I try to Update Driver, it tells me it is unable to find or install any drivers (Windows is unable to find any drivers for your device).

OS: Windows 10 (latest updates installed)
Laptop: Dell

Try3 · 09 May 2019

I have not heard of such a problem before but I'd suggest running SFC
SFC - TenForumsTutorials

or running a Repair install
Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials

Other than those, all I can think is that there is a Bios problem - have you checked your PC maker for any updated Bios?
- Go to www.dell.com/support/home/product-support/servicetag then enter your Dell service tag and proceed to the Drivers & downloads section [and add that to your Favorites so you can get back there easily in the future]
- You should check for other hardware updates at the same time on the PC maker's site [not simply asking device manager to check for updates].

Dell normally provide a hardware testing utility so you could try running that if the problem persists.

Denis

zbook · 09 May 2019

1) See if placing the computer in clean boot has any impact:

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts

2) Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

3) There is a log collector used in another forum.
Run the BETA log collector and upload the results into this thread:
BSOD - Posting Instructions

hunter1801 · 09 May 2019

I installed the most recent BIOS and that did not solve it. Also used Dell's driver/download tool and they found a couple drivers that were out of date. That didn't solve it either.

I'll try the clean boot and repair tools you suggested tomorrow.

When I run Dell's diagnostic tool, I can test the USB drives specifically and it just tells me that it is "Misconfigured". It does not give me an option to fix or troubleshoot it though.

Try3 · 09 May 2019

If you are under warranty you could try contacting Dell support to ask them to explain what action to take for a "Misconfigured" USB. But I have found them to be quite useless in the past.

I should have mentioned before, the Device manager 'Other devices' section is for devices Windows has been unable to identify.

Did this problem start at some particular stage?

Denis

zbook · 10 May 2019

Run the Microsoft USB troublesooter:

How to fix common USB problems on Windows 10 | Windows Central

Try3 · 10 May 2019

And you could try
1 Device manager, Other devices - uninstall each one of them. [This step is just to help ensure no debris affects the main step]
2 Device manager, USB controllers - uninstall each one of them.
3 Restart the computer. Windows will then automatically redetect then reinstall the USB controllers.

If the problem persists then go to the Dell site, use your Dell Service tag to identify the latest chipset drivers for your computer and reinstall them.

Denis