Flash drives/external hard drives not working

Hello, I've recently built a PC for the first time (parts list here). I have two Samsung Bar flash drives and two M.2 NVME drives encased in Orico NVME enclosures that I use as external hard drives. When I plug any of the devices in, it freezes and Windows gives me a "The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned" notification. It's a bit intermittent; sometimes I can browse around for a few seconds before it freezes, other times it freezes immediately.

I've tried various different cords (for the external drives) and plugging them into different ports (USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, and type-C. Front ports and back ports too) and they all result in the same issue. I've searched around and can't really find much info about this type of issue. I recall finding a related post somewhere that said to try resetting the motherboard BIOS, which I tried; it didn't fix it.

This only happens on my PC. I tested the drives on my laptop and they work fine there. I tried reformatting one of the NVME drives and it didn't fix the issue. I ran CrystalDiskMark and CrystalDiskInfo and I don't see any abnormalities.

Side note: When I first built my PC, I was able to transfer files onto my flash drives and external hard drives just fine. This issue happened a few weeks later. In that time, I did change a few parts (i.e. adding more case fans, swapping the GPU from an RX 6700XT to an RTX 2080TI), although I'm not sure if it's related. I haven't noticed this issue happening until weeks after I finished adding new parts in.

I am using Windows 10 Home v10.0.19045 Build 19045.

Can you return the hardware to it's original state,that is the RX 6700 and disconnect the extra fans ?
If so,does the problem remain?
If not,then only replace the GPU and check again.
Also look through Reliability History for entries,in particular any red flagged.

joeandmarg0 said:

Can you return the hardware to it's original state,that is the RX 6700 and disconnect the extra fans ?
If so,does the problem remain?
If not,then only replace the GPU and check again.
Also look through Reliability History for entries,in particular any red flagged.

Ok, so here's some stuff I tried:

• I tried unplugging as many devices and cords as possible, leaving just one monitor and a mouse- that didn't fix it.
• I disconnected the extra case fans and removed the 2080TI- that didn't fix it (Side note, I don't have the RX 6700 anymore; I only ever used it once or twice. I mostly used integrated graphics while I waited for the 2080TI to arrive).
• Then I tried reseating some motherboard cables. Turns out that the 24 pin power cable was loose. After reconnecting it, I was able to get an NVME drive to work (temporarily). I successfully ran CrystalDiskMark on it once, so I tried it a second time, then it froze again. I tried reseating the motherboard cables again, but it's still not working.

So we've made some progress. Before, I wasn't able to even get CrystalDiskMark to start, now I can get it running at least halfway before freezing. I'm not sure what else to check.

Also, I checked Reliability history and found this error. The date seems to match the time when the drive froze:


(Sorry for the double post, I would've edited my previous reply but it's in moderator queue)

In the Search box,type in ---dxdiag --- and in the Display page,note the Driver version in use and any comments regarding the display performance.
Go to the GPU maker's site only and download the latest available driver for that GPU then uninstall the present driver and install the new one.
See if that helps.
What was the result of reverting to the original setup?

joeandmarg0 said:

What was the result of reverting to the original setup?

Scroll up two replies and you'll see. One of my messages had to be approved by a moderator, so it was hidden for a while.

joeandmarg0 said:

In the Search box,type in ---dxdiag --- and in the Display page,note the Driver version in use and any comments regarding the display performance.
Go to the GPU maker's site only and download the latest available driver for that GPU then uninstall the present driver and install the new one.
See if that helps.

I ran the driver updater in GeForce Experience. It updated the graphics and audio drivers, but it didn't fix it. I'm having the same issue before where I was able to run CrystalDiskMark once but it freezes on the second time I use it.

Here are the results from dxdiag:

In post 3 you say the 24 pin cable was loose.How did that happen?
Is it a firm fit now and are the pjns and sockets undamaged?
Shut down the PC and disconnect all peripherals except for monitor,mouse and keyboard,then restart.
In Powershell [admin],type in ---dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth ---and when finished,type in ---sfc /scannow ---and run until a clean report is given.This should ensure the operating system is healthy.
Plug in one usb flash drive and see if the problem returns.
If so,then ---Device Manager>Universal serial bus controllers and expand it.
Select ---usb root hub ---then RIGHT click it and choose ---Properties ---and uncheck ---allow this computer to turn off this device to save power --option.You can always reverse this action if it is ineffective.
The loose power cable is of grave concern.

joeandmarg0 said:

If so,then ---Device Manager>Universal serial bus controllers and expand it.
Select ---usb root hub ---then RIGHT click it and choose ---Properties ---and uncheck ---allow this computer to turn off this device to save power --option.You can always reverse this action if it is ineffective.
The loose power cable is of grave concern.

I finally fixed it. I went into Device Manager and unchecked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" for the USB root hub and that fixed it. I was able to run CrystalDiskMark on the drives. I stress tested it by plugging in all four devices in and transferring a large amount of files. So far so good.

On a related note, it seems odd that Windows is able to arbitrarily turn devices like off like this. I've had issues in the past where Windows kept turning off the wifi on my laptop. It's surprising that I didn't think to check the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" setting for the USB root hub earlier.

joeandmarg0 said:

In post 3 you say the 24 pin cable was loose.How did that happen?
Is it a firm fit now and are the pjns and sockets undamaged?

Pins and sockets are fine. I've disassembled and reassembled this PC several times in the past few weeks. I guess I didn't put the 24 pin socket in securely last time I reassembled it.

dalchina said:

Hi, presumably you've also run through all of these steps:
Fixed: The Last USB Device Malfunctioned Windows 10 Error - MiniTool Partition Wizard

Yes, in case you were wondering, I tried all of those things prior to making this post.