How to Resolve the "Last USB Device Malfunctioned" Error on Windows [Effective Methods]

Have you inserted a USB device into your Windows computer, only to encounter an error message stating "The last USB device did not function properly"? Were you unsure how to proceed? Fear not, as this issue is quite common with any USB device connected to a computer.

We will delve into the error message "The last USB device malfunctioned" and present five solutions to resolve the problem. The article will also recommend utilizing the Data Recovery Wizard tool for retrieving data lost due to USB device issues.

About Error: The Last USB Device Did Not Function Properly

The "Last USB device malfunctioned" error occurs when you attempt to connect a USB storage device to your computer. This error message suggests that the last USB device you connected to your computer encountered a problem or behaved abnormally, resulting in difficulty for your system in detecting the USB drive. Consequently, you won't be able to access the files on the USB drive, as Windows will no longer recognize them.

The "last USB device malfunctioned" error can stem from various causes. One primary reason is a damaged USB port. When this factor is at play, the port becomes unable to read data from any USB device connected to it. Another frequent cause of this error is a corrupted USB drive.

Since the last device connected to your Windows computer became corrupted, it might impact all subsequent USB drives attached之后. In the following section, we'll guide you through resolving these issues and restoring normal functionality to your USB device.

How to Fix the Issue of "Last USB Device Malfunctioned"?

The "last USB device malfunctioned" error is a temporary issue that can be easily rectified with several troubleshooting methods. Upon resolving the problem, you will usually be able to resume using your USB device. This article will explore the following solutions:

1. Method 1: Unplug Your Computer from the Power Source
2. Method 2: Change the USB Port
3. Method 3: Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings
4. Method 4: Repair the USB Root Hub
5. Method 5: Update/Rollback a Device Driver

We will examine each method in the following detailed manner.

Method 1: Disconnect Your Computer from the Power Source

A straightforward solution to the "last USB device malfunctioned" error is to unplug the power supply. This allows the computer to reset and forget the error, enabling it to recognize your USB device correctly when you plug it back in. Here's how to implement this fix: 1. **Disconnect Power**: First, ensure that your computer is turned off or in a safe state to unplug devices. Remove the power cable from the computer or, if using a laptop, disconnect the charger. 2. **Remove USB Devices**: Unplug all USB devices connected to your computer, including the one causing the error. 3. **Wait for a Moment**: Allow a short interval (大约5-10秒) for the computer's USB ports to power down completely. 4. **Reconnect Power**: Plug the power supply back into your computer or reconnect the laptop charger. 5. **Insert USB Device**: Carefully insert the problematic USB device back into an available USB port on your computer. 6. **Boot Up/Reconnect**: Turn on your computer (if it wasn't already on) and wait for it to start up completely. The computer should now detect and function properly with the USB device. If the issue persists, try using a different USB port or connecting the device to another computer to see if the problem lies with the device or the port.

Step 1. Unplug your PC from the power source.

Step 2. After a short while, reconnect the power and then restart your device.

Step 3. Reconnect the USB device to your computer.

Step 4. Check if the computer can now access your USB drive. If this method doesn't work, proceed to the second fix.

Method 2: Change the USB Port

Another solution to the "last USB device malfunctioned error" is to connect your USB drive to a different port. There's a good possibility that the current USB port isn't recognizing the drive. If that's the issue, your computer should detect the USB drive when you plug it into another port.

For a desktop computer, it's recommended to switch to the USB ports at the back, as they tend to be more responsive due to their stronger power supply. In most cases, this solution will work wonders. However, if the issue persists, proceed to method 3.

Method 3: Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings

You might also encounter the USB device malfunction warning due to the Selective Suspend settings. This feature is enabled by default on all Windows operating systems. Disabling this setting can potentially resolve the "last USB device malfunctioned" error. To implement this fix, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Type "power" in the search bar of Settings and click on the first option, which is "Power & Sleep Settings."

Step 2. Click on "Additional Power Settings."

Step 3. Under Balanced (recommended), click on "Change plan settings."

Step 4. In the next window that appears, navigate to "Change advanced power settings."

Step 5. Double-click on "USB settings" to expand the options.

Step 6. Set the option to "Disabled," then click "OK" and "Apply." Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Your USB device should now work normally.

Method 4: Repair the USB Root Hub

Another approach to resolve the "last USB device malfunctioned" error is by repairing the USB root hub. You can do this through the following steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the Start Menu and choose "Device Manager."

Step 2. Navigate to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and expand the category.

Step 3. Right-click on "USB Root Hub" and choose "Properties."

Step 4. Under the "Power Management" tab, click "OK" to save the changes and exit this window. Your computer should now open the USB drive.

Method 5: Update/Rollback a Device Driver In this method, you'll either update the device driver to the latest version or revert to a previous version if you suspect it might be causing issues. 1. **Identify the Device**: First, identify the device for which you want to update or rollback the driver. You can do this by going to "Device Manager" in the Control Panel or by searching for "device manager" in the Windows search bar. 2. **Open Device Manager**: Click on the "Device Manager" option to open it. 3. **Locate the Device**: In the Device Manager window, find and expand the category that corresponds to your device (e.g., Sound, video and game controllers, Display adapters, etc.). 4. **Update the Driver**: - Right-click on the device and select "Update driver." - Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will look for and install the latest driver available. - If the update is not successful or if you want to manually install an updated driver, choose "Browse my computer for driver software" and follow the on-screen instructions. 5. **Rollback the Driver**: - If updating doesn't help or if you want to return to a previous working driver, right-click on the device and select "Properties." - In the Properties window, navigate to the "Driver" tab. - Click on "Roll Back Driver." If a previous version is available, Windows will revert to it. Note that this option may not be available if there's no previous driver to roll back to. 6. **Reboot Your System**: After updating or rolling back the driver, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Remember that updating or rolling back drivers should only be done when necessary, as it can sometimes cause instability if the new or old driver is not compatible with your system.

Another reason for the "the last USB device malfunctioned" error is damaged USB drivers. A solution to this issue is updating the drivers or reverting to a previous version. You can carry out this solution with the following steps:

Step 1. Right-click on the "Start Menu" and choose "Device Manager."

Step 2. Navigate to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and double-click on it.

Navigate to "Universal Serial Bus Controllers"

Step 3. Right-click on the first USB driver and select "Uninstall device." Repeat this step for all the other USB drivers.

Step 4. After completing Step 3, restart your computer. Upon restarting, your computer will automatically reinstall the USB drivers, resolving the "last USB device malfunctioned" error.

Tip: The Best Software for Retrieving Data from a Failing USB Drive

If your USB drive encounters issues, you won't be able to access its contents. In such a scenario, it's advisable to employ data recovery software to retrieve your files. The top choice for recovering data from a malfunctioning USB drive is tools Data Recovery Wizard.

This software enables you to retrieve data that has been lost due to accidental deletion, virus attacks, system crashes, or partition loss. It supports data recovery from various devices, such as USB drives, memory cards, internal hard disks, SD cards, external hard drives, cameras, and more.

The main features of Tools Data Recovery Wizard include the following:

• Partition recovery- This software enables you to recover data from lost or deleted partitions on your computer's hard drive.
• Raw recovery- Data Recovery Wizard allows you to recover data from a hard drive even when it becomes "RAW."
• Format recovery- This software lets you recover data from a formatted HDD, SSD, USB drive, SD card, etc.
• Damaged hard drive recovery- When your hard drive fails to respond and becomes "dead," the tool enables you to securely recover all files from it.
• Repair corrupted photos and videos- Data Recovery Wizard allows you to repair any damaged JPEG, JPG, MP4, or MOV files during the data recovery process.

If you wish to freely retrieve data from a faulty USB drive using Data Recovery Wizard, download the trial version today. Here are the straightforward steps to utilize the software for data recovery: 1. Download and install the trial version of Data Recovery Wizard on your computer. 2. Launch the software and select the malfunctioned USB drive from the list of available storage devices. 3. Choose the file type(s) you wish to recover, or select "All File Types" for a comprehensive scan. 4. Click on "Scan" to initiate the scanning process. The software will search for lost, deleted, or damaged files on the USB drive. 5. Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files to ensure they are the ones you need. 6. Select the desired files and click on "Recover" to save them to a safe location on your computer or another storage device. Remember that the trial version might have limitations on the amount of data you can recover. For unlimited data recovery, consider purchasing the full version of the software.

Final Verdict can be translated into English as "Ultimate Decision" or "Final Judgment."

Encountering the error message "the last USB device malfunctioned" is quite common on Windows systems. This error obstructs your ability to access data on your USB drive. It typically arises due to a damaged USB port or a corrupted USB drive. To resolve this issue, you can try disconnecting the power source, switching to a different USB port, disabling selective suspend settings, repairing the USB root hub, or reverting a device driver update.

If you experience data loss on your USB drive after encountering a USB malfunction error, the most effective way to recover your files is by using the Data Recovery Wizard tool. This software proficiently retrieves files from USB drives, SD cards, hard disks, SSDs, memory cards, and more.

If you've experienced any data loss issues, make sure to download the Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover your files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

常见的“最后一个USB设备出现故障”错误问题包括以下内容。

1. Why Does My USB Device Keep Failing or malfunctioning?

Your device might continuously experience malfunctions due to the following reasons:

• Damaged USB ports.
• Incompatible device.
• Outdated or incorrect USB drivers.
• Corrupt USB drives.

确保解决上述问题，并检查您的USB设备是否正常工作。

2. How do I open a malfunctioning USB?

To resolve a malfunctioning USB drive, you'll need to address the underlying issue causing the error. Some potential methods to fix this are:

• Try a different USB port.
• Unplug the power supply.
• Disable USB selective suspend settings.
• Update or rollback USB drivers.
• Run a hardware troubleshooter.

3. How Do I Fix a Corrupted USB?

The most effective method to fix a corrupted USB drive is by formatting it. You can accomplish this through the following steps: 1. Connect the USB drive to your computer. 2. Open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac. 3. Locate the USB drive in the list of drives or devices. It's usually labeled with its capacity or a generic name like "USB Flash Drive." 4. Right-click on the USB drive and select "Format" from the context menu (Windows) or choose "Erase" (Mac). 5. For Windows, in the Format window: - Choose the file system you want (usually "FAT32," "NTFS," or "exFAT" depending on your needs). - Make sure "Quick Format" is checked. - Click "Start" and confirm the warning prompt to begin the formatting process. For Mac, in the Erase window: - Select a format type (e.g., "MS-DOS (FAT)" for compatibility with both Windows and Mac). - Give the drive a new name if desired. - Click "Erase" and confirm the warning prompt. 6. Wait for the formatting process to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on the size of the USB drive. 7. Once finished, safely eject the USB drive from your computer and reconnect it. It should now be free of corruption and ready for use. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Step 1. Insert the USB drive into your computer.

Step 2. Open File Explorer and click on "This PC."

Step 3. Right-click on the corrupted USB drive from the list of connected drives.

Step 4. Confirm the file system, allocation unit size, and volume label for your drive.

Step 5. Under the "Format options," select the checkbox for "Quick format."

Step 6. Next, click the "Start" button and choose "Yes" to format your USB device. This will erase all data on your USB drive and prepare it for another use.