Fix: Power Surge on USB Port

The error message “Power Surge on Hub Port” or “USB Device has exceeded the power limits of its hub port” is usually displayed when you plug a device into the USB port of your computer. It can also occur when you have already plugged in a device, and it stops working all of a sudden and displays this message.

In normal circumstances, USB devices are only allowed to draw a maximum of 500 milliamps per connection from the computer system or from a USB hub. If a device draws more power than this, an error message is displayed to inform you of the current condition, and the connection is terminated. This brief draw of power by the USB device is detected by the OS, and actions are taken accordingly.

So, does this mean that your device is faulty? Or is there a problem with the USB ports on your computer? The answer can be both. We will go through the workarounds one by one and see if we can successfully troubleshoot the issue at hand.

Solution 1: Run Hardware Troubleshooter

Hardware Troubleshooter is a utility present in the Windows operating system. It detects problems with your existing hardware and tries to resolve them after following a series of steps. We can try running the hardware troubleshooter and check if this does the trick.

  1. Press Windows + R, type “control” in the dialog box, and press Enter.
  2. Now, on the top right side of the screen, click on View By and select Large Icons from the list of options available.

  1. Now, select the option of Troubleshooting from the Control Panel.

  1. Now, on the left side of the window, select the “View all” option to list all the troubleshooting packs available on your computer.

  1. Now, select “Hardware and Devices” from the list of options available and click it.

  1. Now, select Next in the new window that pops up in front of you.
  2. Now, Windows will start searching for hardware problems and fix them if it finds any. This process can take some time as all of your hardware is being checked. Be patient and let the process complete successfully.
  3. Windows might prompt you to restart your PC in order to fix problems. Don’t delay the request, save your work and press “Apply this Fix”.

Solution 2: Reinstall USB Drivers

Another workaround that worked for the majority of users was reinstalling the USB or USB hub drivers. Reinstalling the drivers will refresh the interface through which the hardware and software communicate with the operating system. We will first uninstall the drivers one by one until you see your device disconnected. Then we will scan for hardware changes, and the default drivers will be installed automatically.

  1. Press Windows + R, type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialog box, and press Enter.
  2. Once in the Device Manager, open the category of “Universal Serial Bus controllers”. Now, select the hub or the USB controllers, right-click it, and select “Uninstall device”. If the mouse stops working, and the keyboard works, then press the Alt key and choose the Action tab -> Scan for Hardware Changes. Otherwise, reboot the PC so it can rescan and install the drivers again.

  1. Right-click on any empty space and select “Scan for hardware changes”. The USB drivers will now automatically be installed on your computer.

If the above methods work only for a short period of time and the error messages come again, you need to check if there is a problem with the hardware you are connecting to your computer.

Solution 3: Check Individual Hardware

If both the above methods don’t work, you need to check if there is a short circuit in any of your connected devices. It is possible that the mouse or the camera you are plugging in is either having problems with the internal connection or it is not suited for your USB drive.

To do this, you need to reinstall the drivers as explained in Solution 2. Once you have reinstalled all the required drivers, plug in all the devices one by one and see which device causes the error message to pop.

If you identify a device, try plugging it into the back ports of your PC. The back ports usually have more power and deliver more energy to the device. If this doesn’t work, you should try plugging it into another computer. If the behavior is the same, it probably means there is some problem with the hardware itself.

Try checking the hardware or, if you have a warranty, claim it with your local store.

Solution 4: Check Power Supply and USB Connections

If there isn’t any problem with the device, it probably means that the problem lies with either the power supply, the USB connection, or the root USB connection. If you have a spare power supply, try plugging it into your system and see if this does the trick.

Sometimes, if you are using a fully built computer, it is vital that you have at least 600 watts of power supply. If you are using a lower supply, maybe it is a sign that you have to upgrade your power supply.

Furthermore, you should also check the USB connections and see if they are soldered properly inside the PC. If they aren’t, they can be the reason for the error message. After checking thoroughly, if you cannot determine the cause, check the devices again for any problems. It is also possible that the port you are using is fried and cannot be used.

Tips:

  • If you are using an old mouse or keyboard, get it checked for any faults.
  • If you have an older version of BIOS, you should upgrade it to the latest version.
  • You can also use a USB extension to connect to the device instead of plugging it directly into the port.
  • You can also uncheck the option to “Let the computer turn off this device to save power” from the properties of the USB connection.
  • If you are using a custom-made computer, it is possible that there are some modules not plugged in correctly or there is some short-circuitry in the motherboard. Make sure you are thorough in your check.
  • If your computer is working perfectly and you are annoyed with the error message, you can disable the notification message settings.

Note:

All of these solutions will usually work if you have a minor problem or some incorrect configurations. If there are serious problems, they will have to be solved by a technician.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.