USB 2.0 printer won't work in Win 10/USB 3.0

For a couple of years I've been happily running a Seiko SLP 650 label printer with a USB 2.0 connection to my Win 10 USB 3.0 machine (maybe it's USB 3.1) and after the last update the printer will no longer work. The error message I get says something like 2.0 will not run in this 3.0 environment. Usually I just get "not working" messages but trouble shooting message says incompatible. I thought 3.0 was backward compatible. How can I fix this? Many thanks.

In theory USB 3.0 should be backward compatible but a lot depends upon the age of the printer, I have a client who tried an all-in-one older HP unit plugged into a USB 3.0 port that would lose communication with the computer after about half a page printed, no problem with a USB 2.0 port. I have a couple of older 8GB Thumb drives that can't be recognized in USB 3.0 ports, work fine in USB 2.0.

As for fixing, since it's probably more of a hardware issue one can't do much about it. Might try a USB 2.0 Hub plugged into the USB 3.0 port, cheaper than a new printer or computer.

Interesting advice, but I wonder why the printer functioned under Windows 10 until a recent update.

bobkn said:

Interesting advice, but I wonder why the printer functioned under Windows 10 until a recent update.

This is sure my question. I checked my UEFI/Bios Settings and they are normal.
And TV2's suggestion of unchecking the power management settings has been done.....still a problem.
Many thanks for the good suggestions and thoughts!
I guess Fireberds suggestion of a dedicated usb 2.0 card is probably the best answer. But before I do that I'm going to open up my case and check the motherboard. I'm running an ASUS Z-97A MB which has only 3.0 connectors on the outside but it has a header on the board for 2.0 which I'm guessing is not connected anywhere (probably). But the simplest thing is to just add a 2.0 card. I've got a powered extension cable running to my Canon inkjet 4920 (a 2.0 device) and my Seiko SLP label printer and I'm almost positive I've got that extension cable plugged into the 3.0 jack figuring a 2.0 legacy device would be backward compatible...........but I guess not.

The USB headers on a motherboard are for adding just the sockets to the back of the case, don't need a card. But many motherboards have a short PCIe X1 slot for adding a card which usually is faster than the older PCI cards. The longer PCIe slot is usually X16 for video cards.