Fix USB Device Descriptor Request Failed Error in Windows 10

if you are a Windows 10 user, then probably you’ll end up facing an annoying type of USB error known as DEVICE DESCRIPTOR REQUEST FAILED Or DEVICE DESCRIPTOR FAILURE, and because of this error, the Operating system is unable to accept or recognize the USB devices and same goes with the SD cards as well, Due to device descriptor request failed error, all your USB devices may immediately stop functioning.

“The last USB device connected to this computer malfunctioned and Windows does not recognise it” from r/Windows10

You don’t have to be concerned about this problem, as our methods will surely help you fix the error. All you need to do is; simply apply all the methods described below properly one by one until the error is gone.

How to Fix USB Device Descriptor Request Failed Error

This USB error can take place on a divergent basis so, you will have to try all methods one after one until the error is gone. Try to plug your device (USB) in a 3.0 USB port rather than a 2.0 port and observe whether it works.

METHOD #1: Reinserting the Power Cable

If this error is because of the power supply, then this method can fix the error in a matter of minutes.

• Detach your power cable from your computer power supply.
• Wait for 60 seconds, and Re-insert the power cable, again to your computer.
• If you are using a laptop, then detach its battery as well.
• Restart your computer/laptop and plug in your USB device into the designated port.

METHOD #2: Reinstall the Unknown USB Device Driver.

In this method, all you need to do is to remove or uninstall all the unknown USB device drivers to fix the Device Descriptor Request failed error.

These USB errors may have caused by the wrong drivers or might have happened by the window updates because windows spontaneously update its windows drivers during its regular windows updates, and there is a possibility that the windows update instance might have installed the faulty driver.

In this error fixation method, you have to uninstall the Unknown USB device Drivers, so that it can get back to its default drivers.

Perform the steps described below to properly fix this USB error.

• • Go to the Device Manager > To open it, just do the right click on the start button on the bottom left side of the windows taskbar and just select the Device Manager “feature”.

• • Now you have to find an UNKNOWN USB DEVICE (USB Device Descriptor Request Failed) which is indicated with a yellow sign. The unknown USB device should be located under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers tab. Open it and do the right click on the unknown USB device option, and then click on uninstall the device.
  • After the device gets uninstalled, you should unplug the USB from the slot and plug it again right into the designated USB port.
  • Right under the device manager main menu, there is an icon for “scan for hardware changes” just click on that and wait for the process, It will automatically reinstall all the unknown USB device drivers (Device descriptor Request Failed) drivers.

This method should solve the error. If not, then please move on to the next potential fix.

METHOD #3: Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings.

Disabling the USB selective suspend settings to fix the error. This method definitely works and has helped to solve the error for a ton of users. Carefully follow the steps to properly perform the below method to fix this USB error.

• Go to the power options. To open power settings, just do the right click on the start button on the bottom left side of the taskbar and just select the power options.
• Step 1 will open up the settings window for power options. In this window, just find the feature named as “additional power settings” and click on it. (This should be present right under the Related Settings).
• Click on the change plan settings of the selected plan on your PC.
• Now Simply, click on the change advanced power settings, which is present in the settings window of the edit plan.
• The last performed step will open up a small window for power options, just find USB Settings in that small window and open it.

• You have to DISABLE all the entries after you expand the USB Selective Suspend Settings. After disabling both entries, just click on APPLY and then on OK.

         

METHOD #4: Turn OFF Fast Startup.

This method of turning off the fast startup is used by a lot of users and there are many reviews, that it works for most of the users for fixing this device descriptor failure or device descriptor request failed error. Windows 10 fails to recognize many external devices due to its fast-rebooting speed. Perform the method described below to fix the USB error.

• First of all, go to your windows control panel. To get access to the control panel, open Cortana, and type CONTROL PANEL. Left-click on the control panel icon to open it.

• On the main screen of the windows control panel, locate the search bar and type in “power options” and hit the enter button on your keyboard, Click on the ‘choose what the power button does’ feature. (present right after the power options icon).

• after you are done with the 2nd step, left-click on the ‘change settings that are currently unavailable’.

• Right under the shutdown settings, unmark the “turn on fast startup” option and After you are done with the process, left-click on the save changes.

• Reboot your PC. After rebooting your PC, see if the error is gone or still persists. If unfortunately, it’s still there then try another potential fix provided below.

METHOD #5: Troubleshoot the Error.

This method is used to fix the device descriptor failure error using the windows troubleshooting tool. This tool is already present in windows and it searches for the problem itself and fixes the issues/errors. This has been claimed by many users that the troubleshooting method has solved the USB error. Carefully perform the below-described steps to fix the errors.

• Go to troubleshoot. To get access to troubleshoot, open Cortana, and type TROUBLESHOOT. Left-click on troubleshooting to open it.

• Click ‘HARDWARE and DEVICES’ present on the small window when you open troubleshoot.

• Windows will automatically look for possible issues. When the process is complete, left click on ‘Apply Repair Automatically’ or ‘Apply this fix’.
• Afterward, Reboot your PC right after you are done applying the fix.

After doing this troubleshooting method, check, if the error is resolved. If not, try the next possible solution listed below.

METHOD #6: Update USB Device’s Drivers.

By updating the drivers, we will try to solve the issue. Outdated device drivers could be the reason behind the problem. Do the process carefully described below to fix the issue.

• Open device manager. To open device manager, just right click on start button and select Device Manager.

• Now you have to find UNKNOWN USB DEVICE (Device Descriptor Request Failed) a yellow sign will be on it as shown in the below-provided image. The Unknown USB Device will be located under the universal serial bus Controllers. Open it and do the right click on the listed Unknown USB device, and then left-click on update driver option.

• Now right-click on ‘Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software’
• After you are done with the above steps, windows will automatically download and install its latest drivers for the USB device. After the diver installation process is done, reboot your computer.

If this process doesn’t work either for the error, try applying the next method.

METHOD #7: Uninstall USB Root Hub Drivers.

In this method, we will be fixing the error, just by uninstalling all the drivers of USB root hub devices. The reinstallation process of drivers will start after the rebooting of your PC. Perform the below steps to complete the process.

• Open the device manager. To open it, right-click on the start button icon on the bottom left side of the taskbar and select Device Manager.

     

• Expand Universal Bus Controllers. Right-click on ‘USB Root Hub’ device and choose ‘Uninstall the device’ option.

• Redo the above-stated process for the leftover ‘USB devices as well.

• Click on the “uninstall” button to uninstall the device driver.

• Reboot your PC.

After you are done doing all the above-stated steps and rebooting your computer, Plug-in your (USB) device in the designated port, Windows will install all the required drivers automatically and fix the existing (device descriptor request failed) error.

You can also have a look at this Quick Video Tutorial, to solve USB not recognized / device descriptor request failed.

By following the above-provided methods and guidelines you’ll surely able to solve the problem, do let us know your feedback in the comment section below.