Many Samsung users have been dealing with a frustrating issue where they repeatedly get notifications that a “USB Connector Connected/Disconnected.” This can happen frequently, sometimes even when no USB device is plugged in. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what causes this notification to pop up constantly and steps you can try to resolve it once and for all. From diagnosing software and hardware issues to adjusting power settings, we’ll cover all the key troubleshooting techniques. The goal is to provide a comprehensive resource so you can stop seeing the “USB Connector Connected/Disconnected” message over and over.
Below we’ve outlined the structure of this article to make it easy to navigate to the solutions you need:
Possible Causes
There are a few common reasons why the “USB connector disconnected” notification may repeatedly pop up on your device:
Damaged USB Port/Cable: One possibility is that either the USB port on your phone or the cable itself has become damaged from repeated use and connection/disconnection (Source). Debris buildup in the port or frayed/broken pins inside the USB cable can interrupt the connection. Replacing the cable or cleaning out the port may resolve this.
Software Issue: Sometimes a software bug or glitch causes the OS to incorrectly detect the USB connection as disconnecting and reconnecting. Updating to the latest OS version or factory resetting your device could potentially fix the problem if it is software-related (Source).
USB Power Management Settings: The USB power management and connectivity settings on your device could also be a factor. If settings like “Fast cable charging” are enabled, this can cause the OS to repeatedly reset the USB connection. Disabling fast charging and tweaking other power management settings relating to USB connectivity may stop the bothersome notifications (Source).
USB Port/Cable Damage
One common cause of the “USB device disconnected” error is physical damage to the USB port or cable. Repeatedly plugging and unplugging USB devices can cause the port to wear out over time and lose connectivity. Frequent plugging and unplugging of USB devices can potentially cause wear and tear on the USB ports, leading to eventual damage, according to reports on Quora.
Debris such as dust, dirt, and lint can also build up inside the USB port, interfering with the connection. Trying to force a USB device into a blocked port may damage the connector pins. Likewise, a damaged or faulty USB cable, with bent pins or frayed wires, can prevent proper contact between the device and computer.
If a specific USB port is giving disconnection issues while others work fine, the problem likely lies with that port’s hardware. Trying different cables and devices can help determine if the issue stems from a damaged cable or port. Visually inspect ports and cables for damage. Clean out any debris carefully using compressed air. Swap in a known good cable or port if available for testing.
Software Issues
Software problems are a common cause of USB devices disconnecting and reconnecting repeatedly. Two specific software issues that can lead to this behavior are driver conflicts and power management software.
If you have multiple drivers installed for the same device, they can conflict with each other and cause connectivity problems. Try uninstalling old USB drivers and letting Windows reinstall the most up-to-date versions automatically. You can also use Device Manager to check for problem drivers marked with a yellow exclamation point and reinstall them.
Power management software that handles USB power saving settings can also interfere with stable USB connections. Utility programs like some anti-virus suites may enable aggressive power savings that disrupt USB devices. Try configuring or disabling any USB power settings in other software. The Windows own power management settings can also be adjusted to prevent overly aggressive power saving.[1]
Power Settings
The disconnect issue may be caused by power management settings for USB devices in Windows. Two settings to check are the selective suspend setting and USB selective suspend.
The selective suspend setting allows Windows to turn off power to unused USB devices to conserve energy. If this is enabled, it can cause connected USB devices to disconnect intermittently. To disable it:
- Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
- Click “Change plan settings” for your current power plan
- Click “Change advanced power settings”
- Expand “USB settings” and disable “USB selective suspend setting”
You can also disable just USB selective suspend by going to Device Manager, expanding the Universal Serial Bus controllers section, right clicking each USB device, going to Power Management and unchecking “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Adjusting these settings prevents Windows from selectively suspending USB ports and devices, which should stop the random disconnections.
Updating Drivers
One potential cause of the “USB device keeps disconnecting and reconnecting” issue is outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers. To fix this:
Get the latest drivers for your USB ports and devices. You can visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website to find the newest chipset drivers. For other devices like a USB hub, mouse, or external hard drive, get updated drivers from the device manufacturer’s website. Installing the newest drivers can resolve conflicts and improve compatibility.
You may also need to reinstall the USB drivers in Device Manager. To do this, open Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click each USB device and select Uninstall. Then restart your PC and Windows will automatically reinstall the standard USB drivers. This can clear up any corrupted drivers that may be causing connection issues.
Be sure to restart your computer after updating or reinstalling drivers. This allows changes to take full effect. If the disconnecting and reconnecting continues, a driver update may not be the solution in your case [1].
Changing Power Settings
One potential solution is to adjust your power settings in Windows to prevent your USB devices from disconnecting. Here are some tweaks you can make:
Disable selective suspend: Selective suspend is a feature that cuts power to USB ports when not in use to save power. This can sometimes cause connectivity issues. Go to Device Manager, find your USB hub, head to Properties > Power Management and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Change power management: You can also adjust power management settings for your USB ports. Go to Device Manager, find the USB hub, click Properties > Power Management. Change “USB selective suspend setting” to Disabled.
Prevent PC from sleeping: If your PC goes to sleep, this can cause your USB devices to disconnect. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Edit Plan Settings. Change “Put the computer to sleep” to Never.
With these tweaks to your power settings, your USB devices should remain connected even when your computer is idle.[1]
Cleaning the USB Port
One of the most common solutions for a disconnected USB notification is to clean out the USB port. Dust, lint, and other debris can build up inside the port over time, preventing a solid connection with the cable or accessory.
Use short bursts of compressed air to safely blow out any particles stuck in the port. Canned air dusters designed for cleaning electronics work well for this task. Spray the compressed air into the port for one to two seconds at a time to loosen any built-up debris (Source 1, Source 2).
Avoid using any liquids or moisture to clean the port, which could damage the internal components. Do not insert any sharp objects or metal tools either, as these could scratch or bend the port’s contacts.
If visible debris remains stuck even after using compressed air, use a soft bristle toothbrush or blunt wooden toothpick to gently dislodge it. Take care not to press too hard or bend any of the port’s internal contacts. Remove any final particles with another quick round of compressed air.
Cleaning the port periodically helps prevent buildup that can interfere with the connection. If the disconnected notification persists after a thorough cleaning, there may be an underlying hardware issue.
Testing with Another Cable/Device
One of the easiest ways to troubleshoot a USB disconnecting issue is to test your device with different USB cables and on different machines. Try using a different high-quality USB cable that you know works properly. Low quality or damaged cables are a common cause of connectivity issues. If using a different cable resolves the problem, it’s likely your original USB cable was defective.
You can also try connecting your USB device to a different computer or laptop. If the disconnecting issue persists on multiple machines, the problem is likely with the device itself. But if the device functions normally when connected to a different computer, then the issue lies with the original machine’s USB ports, drivers, or settings.
By swapping cables and machines during testing, you can isolate whether the USB disconnects are being caused by a faulty cable, problems with the device, or something related to that particular computer’s USB configuration. This is an important troubleshooting step before digging deeper into software and hardware issues.
When to Seek Repair
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps like updating drivers, changing power settings, cleaning the port, and testing different cables and devices, but the disconnection issue persists, it’s time to seek professional repair.
Visible physical damage like a broken, bent, or loose USB port is also a sign you need repair. Dropping your device or inserting the cable forcefully can damage the port. Inspect the port closely for any signs of damage.
Repeated unexpected disconnections, even after trying different cables and devices, likely indicate an underlying hardware problem. The USB port may be worn out or damaged internally where you can’t see. Frequent disconnects can also signal issues with the USB controller chip.
In these cases, take your device to a professional repair shop. Trained technicians have the skills and tools to diagnose and fix USB port issues. They can perform a USB port replacement or other component-level repairs. This is preferable to replacing the entire motherboard, which costs more. Visit Cellphonerepair.com to find a reputable repair shop near you.
