Fix: The Last USB Device You Connected to this Computer Malfunctioned

The error message “Last USB Device You Connected to this computer Malfunctioned” indicates that the USB device you have connected has failed to make a communication with the computer. This often happens due to faulty USB ports. However, it might not always be the case, as other causes can also contribute to this error, such as corrupted or outdated drivers, power management issues, and temporary glitches in the system’s USB ports.

Before proceeding to the solutions, it is recommended that you restart your computer. Restarting the computer eliminates the glitches that might be preventing your USB device from communicating with the computer.

1. Disable the USB Selective Suspend Setting

USB selective suspend is a feature in Windows that allows the computer to suspend power to inactive USB ports. If you disable this feature, inactive ports will remain active, enabling your USB devices to maintain stable communication with the computer and reducing the likelihood of connection errors. This solution is crucial in resolving connection issues caused by repeated disconnects or failure to be recognized.

1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run Window.
2. Type control and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
   
3. In the Control Panel, change the View by setting from Category to Large icons.
   
4. Click on Power Options.
5. In the Power Options window, select the power plan you are using, then click Change Plan settings.
6. Click Change Advanced Power Settings.
   
7. In the Advanced Settings window, expand the USB Settings by clicking the plus sign (+).
8. Expand the USB Selective Suspend Settings.
   
9. Select Disabled from the drop-down menu.
10. Click Apply and then click OK to save the changes. This should resolve the issue.

2. Use a Different USB Port

In many instances, the issue occurs when one of your USB ports stops functioning. This is especially common with older systems. If the problem continues, follow these steps:

1. Unplug the device from the current USB port.
2. Plug the device into a different USB port on your computer.

Switching to another USB port often resolves the error. If this doesn’t fix the issue, try the other solutions provided.

3. Reinstall USB Device Drivers

If you’ve tested all your USB ports and the problem persists, the issue could be due to corrupted or outdated USB drivers. Reinstalling the drivers will not only update them but also reset the USB ports, eliminating any glitches or software conflicts caused by other programs that might be resulting in the malfunction.

1. Press the Win key and type Device Manager.
2. Hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
   
3. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers, right-click the USB drivers one by one, and select Update driver.
4. Then, select Search automatically for drivers.
   
5. If the driver is found, update it. Otherwise, right-click on it and select Uninstall device.
6. Click Yes to confirm.
   
7. Once done, restart your computer to reinstall the driver.
8. Now check if this resolved the issue.

4. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Running the hardware troubleshooter will automatically detect and resolve the issue in the connected USB devices. Sometimes, this error can result from the issues residing in the USB devices. Therefore, by running the hardware and devices troubleshooter, you check for corrupted or outdated drivers and identify configuration problems that may be preventing the USB device from functioning correctly.

1. Press the Windows key to open the Start Menu.
2. In the Start Menu, type Command Prompt.
   Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
   
3. Once the Command Prompt is open, type the following command and press Enter:

   msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

   

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
   
5. After the troubleshooter completes, check if the issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, you can unplug the power supply for a few seconds to reset the USB ports, eliminating glitches that may be preventing them from functioning properly.