A power Surge on USB port error message usually appears when a USB device does not get connected to a Windows system. Although the situation is not very concerning, encountering it every time you try to connect a device using the USB ports, can be annoying and puzzling.
The complete error message for these scenarios goes like “Power surge on the USB port – Unknown USB Device needs more power than the port can supply.” If you expand the error message, it will ask you to disconnect the device from the system.
The causes and solutions behind this scenario can be varied.
Why Does Power Surge On USB Port Occur in Windows 10?
Now, there can be several causes behind this error message including:
- Outdated or corrupted drivers
- Limited voltage in the USB port
- Corrupted system files
What To Do If a ‘Power Surge On USB Port’ Error Message Appears on Windows 10?
Now, before implementing the fixes, we recommend you disconnect the USB device from the system and insert it back in. Check whether the problem gets resolved or not. If the error message persists then try the fixes below.
Fix 1: Run the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter
First of all, we will be taking the use of Windows Hardware Troubleshooter to get rid of any problems related to the hardware. Thus, to run the Troubleshooter, follow the steps cited below.
- Press the Windows and R keys together to launch the Run window. In the Run window, type cmd within the box.
- Now, press Shift, Ctrl, and Enter key together to launch the Command Prompt. This will open it as an administrator.
- Within the Command Prompt, type the following command and press the Enter button.
- msdt.exe/id devicediagnostic
- In doing so, you will be prompted with some instructions that will appear on your system screen. Follow them accordingly to start the troubleshooting. Once it gets completed, check if the problem is resolved or not. If it doesn’t, move to the next fix.
Fix 2: Install your USB Controller Drivers Again
As mentioned earlier, there are chances that you are confronting this issue due to incorrect or corrupted USB controller drivers on your system. If such is the case, then we recommend you to reinstall the USB controller drivers. In doing so, the hardware interface will get refreshed. You can perform this effective fix by following the steps provided below.
- Unplug the USB device (if any) connected to the system.
- Now, press the Windows and X keys together to launch the quick access menu on your system.
- Click on Device Manager and open it.
- In it, look for Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Once you get to locate it, click on it to expand the section. Right-click on the USB controllers individually and select Uninstall device from the drop-down.
- After implementing these steps, restart your system and wait for some time so that the USB controller software can be reinstalled in your system.
- Reconnect the USB device to the port and check if the error got fixed using this method or not.
Fix 3: Update all the USB Control Drivers
There are chances that you are facing this issue due to an outdated USB controller driver. If such is the case then make sure to update each of it manually. For that,
- Plug the USB device into your system and check if the power is turned on or not.
- Go to Start and then type device manager within the search bar of it. Click on “Device Manager” that appears on the search result.
- Now, look for the USB device from the list. You should also check the list for Unknown Devices or “Universal Serial Bus Controller”. It appears with a warning symbol beside it.
- Now, right-click on your USB device and then choose “Update Driver Software” from the drop-down menu list.
- Click on “Browse my computer for driver software” and then go to the location mentioned below
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Arcus Technology\Drivers, Libraries, Source\Performax USB v4.01
- Mark the box beside “Include Subfolders” and click on Next. Doing this should install the USB drivers into your system without any problems.
Fix 4: Make Use of the USB Hub
If the problem persists, even after following the above fixes, then we recommend you to check if an adequate amount of voltage is being transferred to the USB ports or not.
Thus, make sure to check the USB device in a different system and see if the same error shows up. If it doesn’t, then that means your device is ok and maybe it’s time for you to use a USB hub.
Usually, it comes with a power source and helps to provide a port adequate amount of power if it is not sufficient enough. To use the USB hub, just make sure to connect it to a USB port and then connect the USB device to it. After doing so, check whether the problem resolves or not.
Fix 5: Run an SFC Scan
There are also chances that you are facing this issue due to any corrupted file within the system. Thus, if such is the case, then make sure to run an SFC scan. To do so, follow the steps provided below.
- Go to Start and type cmd within the search box.
Click on Command Prompt from the search results and then right-click on it. - Select the “Run as administrator” option.
- Once you see the Command Prompt, type the command given below and press the Enter button
- sfc/scannow
- In doing so, windows will perform an SFC scan on your system and check for any corrupted files simultaneously. If it finds any corrupted files, it will remove them automatically.
- Check if the problem resolves after the SFC scan or not.
Fix 6: Change the Settings of the Power Plan
You can get rid of the problem temporarily with a tweak with the Power Plan Settings. Hence, try performing the steps given below and check if the problem resolves for you or not.
- Turn on your system and press the Windows and R keys together to bring up the Run window.
- Within the Run box, type “powercfg.cpl” and then hit the Enter button. This will open the Power options.
- From Power options, go to the “Show additional plans” option and click on it.
- Use the Radio button to choose the High-performance Power plan box. After doing so, check whether the problem resolves or not
Fix 7: Additional solutions
Apart from the solutions mentioned above, you can also try some basic troubleshooting which involves the following two methods.
- Do as the Windows prompts. Unplug all the USB devices from the system and then use the system touchpad to click on the Reset button appearing on the pop-up error message box. This will reset the system and after that restart it and check if the error is fixed.
- Also, check if the USB device you are using is defective or corrupted. This is because there are chances that you are facing this error message due to the same.
