Do you want to download and install a USB 3 driver for Windows 10 and 11? Here’s how to install USB 3.0 drivers.
Whether transferring data from your USB takes ages or you face issues with the USB 3.0 driver as posted on Reddit or face issues like “A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USB or Hard disk driver. IF you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with the driver on it, please insert it now”, you can fix the issue by updating drivers.
However, if you use an old PC with USB 2.0 ports but the motherboard supports USB 3.0, you can upgrade the ports and enjoy faster data transfer. If it is this easy, why don’t people follow it? Well, it is because most users are unaware of this and don’t know how to get dedicated drivers.
There are two best ways to install USB 3.0 drivers on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. This post will describe both methods.
My motherboard supports USB 3.0, so why are there USB 2.0 ports?
To save costs and make the device more affordable, manufacturers ship it with USB 2.0. As the motherboard supports USB 3.0, you can get additional ports, install the dedicated drivers, and be good to go.
Why do I need USB 3.0 drivers?
If you have a USB 3.0 port but not the driver, the latest ports will work similarly to USB 2.0. Also, the USB might not be detected, and the port might stop working. Device drivers are the catalysts between the motherboard and physical ports. If they are not properly working or installed, you may be unable to transfer data.
What are USB 3.0 drivers, and how are they different from USB 2.0?
USB 3.0 is the third major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, which boosts data transfer speed. Nowadays, all the latest devices have USB 3.0.
Differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0
1. Usually, the USB 2.0 port is black, whereas it is blue for the USB 3.0 port.
2. The USB 2.0 port has only 4 pins, while the USB 3.0 port has 9.
3. Unlike USB 3.0, USB 2.0 has no SS (SupperSpeed) marking on the cable.
How To Check If The PC Is Configured With A USB 3.0 Driver?
A blue port doesn’t always mean the motherboard is integrated with USB 3.0. To confirm, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows + X > Device Manager
2. Navigate to Universal Serial Bus controllers
3. Double-click to expand it
4. If you see USB 3.0, you know your PC has it.
However, if you see a yellow exclamation mark against USB 3.0 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controllers, it means that either the USB 3.0 driver is not installed or it is corrupted. To install and update it, read further.
How To Install USB 3.0 Drivers – Windows 10
The USB 3.0 drivers can be installed either manually or automatically. While the manual method is time-consuming and risky and requires technical knowledge, the automatic process is simple and risk-free. Moreover, it can identify system configuration, Windows version number, bit, and device details.
Install USB 3.0 Driver Through Device Manager
If the USB 3.0 driver is corrupted, you can reinstall it by following the steps below:
1. Press Windows + X > Select Device Manager from the list.
2. Go to the Universal Serial Bus controllers category and double-click it to see the list of hardware installed.
3. Look for USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) > right click > Uninstall Device.
Note : If there are multiple USB 3.0 devices, uninstall them individually.
4. Confirm the action > restart Windows. Upon reboot, the driver will be reinstalled.
Reinstall Specific Device Driver
If you have issues with a specific USB 3.0 device, reinstall that driver only. To do so, open Device Manager, connect the device you are having issues with, and you will not be able to see it under the Universal Serial Bus controllers list. Right-click > Uninstall device > reboot system to reinstall the driver.
Read This- How to Download And Update Lenovo USB Drivers
2 Best Ways to Update USB 3.0 Driver Update
Method 1: Manually install USB 3.0 Drivers Windows 10
Before following the steps explained below, visit the official site of your PC brand or motherboard manufacturers’ websites and download the correct driver update for USB 3.0 drivers. Once the driver is downloaded, follow the instructions to install the USB 3.0 driver update.
1. Press Win + X > select Device Manager.
2. Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers and look for the USB 3.0 device. Right-click it > select Update Driver.
3. This will open a new window; select Browse my computer for driver software.
4. Click the Browse button and head to where you downloaded and saved the USB 3.0 driver. Load it > OK> Next.
5. Wait for Windows to install the driver.
6. Restart the PC to apply the changes. Now, try connecting to USB 3.0. You should be fine.
Note : If the driver file is in .exe format, you can run it directly and install the USB 3.0 drivers. However, if it is in zip format, uncompress it and install the driver.
Method 2: Automatically Install USB 3.0 Drivers for Windows 10 (Recommended)
If the above steps are time-consuming and require too much work, try Advanced Driver Updater, the automatic way to find outdated drivers and update them. Using it in no time, you can fix various driver-related issues like
To use it, follow the steps below:
1. Download and install Advanced Driver Updater
2. Launch the driver updating tool and click Start Scan Now.
3. Wait for the scan to finish
4. Once done, look for the USB 3.0 driver update and click the Update driver option. If you are using the trial version, you must do as explained. However, you can update all outdated drivers using the paid version by clicking the Update All button.
5. After the installation, reboot the system to apply changes and let the new USB drivers take effect.
Note : Advanced Driver Updater completely backs up the old drivers before updating drivers. This means that if you encounter problems, you can restore them.
Advanced Driver Updater comes with an option to exclude incompatible drivers and skip the update.
You can also schedule driver updates using the Scheduler feature provided by Advanced Driver Updater.
Please note that USB 3.0 Drivers depend heavily on the port’s manufacturer. Sometimes, these drivers are available for direct download from the vendor’s website, but that is not recommended, considering these are direct ports that affect the functioning of your motherboard. Still, if you plan to download the drivers directly, go through the Device Manager and check the manufacturer to authenticate the drivers.
FIX USB 3.0 DRIVER UPDATE
We hope these steps will help you reinstall and update the USB 3.0 drivers. Usually, connectivity issues with USB 3.0 occur due to Windows updates, corrupt driver updates, or the power management settings. Using the above steps can fix them. However, if you are still facing any issues, follow these additional methods.
Fix Corrupted Driver Using Microsoft’s USB Diagnostic Tool
Microsoft has specifically designed a diagnostic tool to fix issues with USB 3.0. To run it, you need to download it from the official support website. Once you have it, run the tool and let it diagnose issues with USB 3.0. If any problem is identified, the tool will try to fix it. Restart the PC after the process is done, and then try to use the device.
Customize Windows 10 USB Power Settings
If the diagnostic tool does not help, try changing the Windows power settings, as it might interfere with the USB ports and connected devices.
- Open Device Manager.
- Double-click Universal Serial Bus controllers > right-click USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) > Properties.
- Click the Power Management tab > check the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and restart the PC.
Now, try to use the USB. If this does not work, then update Windows.
These steps will help fix any issues you are experiencing with USB 3.0. If you find the information helpful, leave us a comment.
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