USB 3.0 card reader fall back to USB 2.0 speed on windows 10

I have 2 desktops (with completely different configurations) and 2 USB3.0 card readers - Lexar Professional and Transcend card readers, paired with Lexar 1000x SD card.

The weird problem is that sometimes, the transfer of my RAW images will dip to usb2.0 speeds (around 30+MB/s). Sometimes, it takes a restart. other times, it takes an eject and re-plugging in to get back the USB 3.0 speeds. It happens on both card readers, and on either desktop - so I'm thinking it must be an OS related issue.

There are no special drivers required (none provided also if you're on win 10) and it's automatically installed by Win 10.

In addition, it happens regardless of whether it's on Intel's native usb3.0 ports or the 3rd party controller.

Has anyone else had that issue? How did it get resolved?

here's the normal speed it should hit with my card/reader combo:

Haven't seen the same exact issue as yours but generally I find using a Self-Powered USB 3.0 Hub plugged into USB 3.0 ports on a computer to be the most reliable rather than relying upon the computer's ports to provide sufficient power and maintaining that constant power. For working with my clients I keep both Self-Powered USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Hubs. In theory and most practical use USB 3.0 ports can fall back to providing USB 2.0 function. However, some older Thumb drives may not work in USB 3.0 ports as well as some older printers, etc.

Berton said:

Haven't seen the same exact issue as yours but generally I find using a Self-Powered USB 3.0 Hub plugged into USB 3.0 ports on a computer to be the most reliable rather than relying upon the computer's ports to provide sufficient power and maintaining that constant power. For working with my clients I keep both Self-Powered USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Hubs. In theory and most practical use USB 3.0 ports can fall back to providing USB 2.0 function. However, some older Thumb drives may not work in USB 3.0 ports as well as some older printers, etc.

theoretically speaking, shouldn't the motherboard's built-in USB ports be more reliable compared to self-powered USB hubs since there is no "intermediary" per-se? power shouldn't be an issue since it will tap on the PSU directly (and I have no lack of it, using a 850w seasonic)

Since you didn't state the card reader model #'s and your system specs show nothing, We don't know your configuration. We need to have detail info on those items (ie: Mother board Manufacture and model number, etc) before we can really try to help you.

tententwenty said:

power shouldn't be an issue since it will tap on the PSU directly (and I have no lack of it, using a 850w seasonic)

Each type USB port has its own power limitation and it is not a function of the size of the power supply.

tententwenty said:

- so I'm thinking it must be an OS related issue

I'm pretty certain it is an OS issue but I don't think there's anything you can do about it short of hacking the registry every time you plug in something into a USB 3 port.

Cheers,

I'm pretty certain it is an OS issue but I don't think there's anything you can do about it short of hacking the registry every time you plug in something into a USB 3 port.

Could be but keep in mind that most BIOSes support USB 2.0 natively [Legacy] while USB 3.0 needs drivers loading with Windows to get the support.

Hi,

Berton said:

Could be but keep in mind that most BIOSes support USB 2.0 natively [Legacy] while USB 3.0 needs drivers loading with Windows to get the support.

Sure.

Never boot up with a USB 3.0 device plugged in as Windows may flag it as USB 2.0 capable most of the time but not necessarily recognize it as USB 3.0 capable.

Never plug a USB 2.0 device into a USB 3.0 port either as there's a good chance that when a USB 3.0 device is plugged in later it will run at USB 2.0 speed.

W10 gets easily confused when it comes to USB 3.0 devices and when in doubt it will use USB 2.0 speed to be safe.

A good free little tool to see what's going on is USBTreeView by Uwe Sieber.

Cheers,

fdegrove said:

Hi,



Sure.

Never boot up with a USB 3.0 device plugged in as Windows may flag it as USB 2.0 capable most of the time but not necessarily recognize it as USB 3.0 capable.

Never plug a USB 2.0 device into a USB 3.0 port either as there's a good chance that when a USB 3.0 device is plugged in later it will run at USB 2.0 speed.

W10 gets easily confused when it comes to USB 3.0 devices and when in doubt it will use USB 2.0 speed to be safe.

A good free little tool to see what's going on is USBTreeView by Uwe Sieber.

Cheers,

This all depends on the Mother board that is in use. My new PC that is a Gigabyte MB, has native USB 3.0/3.1 support. I didn't have to download any drivers after installing W10.

And as far as plugging A USB 2.0 device in into a USB 3.0 port, it really makes no difference. The device controls the speed of the Port (not the software). Your statement " Never plug a USB 2.0 device into a USB 3.0 port either as there's a good chance that when a USB 3.0 device is plugged in later it will run at USB 2.0 speed " I have never seen that condition ! And as far as Windows 10 getting confused and using USB 2.0 is another fallacy. I've watched all of my 3.0 ports off and on with "USBVIEW", and have never seen that problem !

But thanks for the info on "USBTreeView" by far a better tool than USBVIEW !

I just wish the OP would post his configuration so that we can address his problem !

Below is a USB3.0 to USB 3.1 perfomance copying files via File Explorer

Hi guys,

as to the Os getting confused, can I do anything to sort things out?

Here are my specifications:

Intel i5-2500k 3.3Ghz @ 4.7Ghz (1.4v) & CoolerMaster V6 Air Cooler
Gigabyte Z77-D3H v1.0
4 x 4Gb DDR1600 in Dual Channel
Gigabyte GTX1060 1Gb (Monitor running @ 4k resolution)
2 x 512Gb Samsung 850 Evo SSDs (1 for OS/Programs, 1 for
Footage)2 x 3Tb Seagate 7200rpm HDDs (Exported & Archived Media)