Windows 11 typically installs USB 3.0 drivers by default. If USB 3.0 devices aren’t working, however, the USB 3.0 drivers may be missing or corrupt. A fresh install could fix the problem. Here’s how to install USB 3.0 drivers on Windows 11.

What to Know

  • Open Device Manager and expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right-click USB Root Hub (USB 3.0), then select Uninstall device.Select Action in Device Manager and tap Scan for hardware changes.

How to Install USB 3.0 Drivers on Windows 11

Follow these steps to install USB 3.0 drivers on Windows 11.

  • Open the Windows Start menu and perform a Windows Search for Device Manager. Device Manager should appear as the first result. Select it.
  • Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category in Device Manager.
  • If it is visible, right-click USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and then click Uninstall device. If it’s not visible, proceed to the next step.
  • Some PCs will display multiples USB 3.0 hubs. Uninstall every entry shown before proceeding.
  • Uninstalling the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) will cause all currently connected USB 3.0 devices to stop working.
  • Open the Action menu in Device Manager and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows 11 will automatically search for devices, including the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and install drivers.
  • If successful, the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) will reappear in Device Manager. Reboot your PC if it does not appear.

How to Install USB 3.0 Drivers With Windows Update

The steps above will install USB 3.0 drivers on Windows 11 but won’t update them. That could be a problem if your USB 3.0 driver is faulty. While you can update drivers through Device Manager, Windows Update is the better choice.

Open the Windows Start menu and perform a Windows Search for Device Manager. Device Manager should appear as the first result. Select it.

Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category in Device Manager.

If it is visible, right-click USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and then click Uninstall device. If it’s not visible, proceed to the next step.

Some PCs will display multiples USB 3.0 hubs. Uninstall every entry shown before proceeding.

Uninstalling the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) will cause all currently connected USB 3.0 devices to stop working.

Open the Action menu in Device Manager and select Scan for hardware changes. Windows 11 will automatically search for devices, including the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and install drivers.

If successful, the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) will reappear in Device Manager. Reboot your PC if it does not appear.

  • Open the Windows Start menu and select the Settings app.
  • Select Windows Update from the left-hand menu.
  • Tap Advanced options.
  • Select Optional updates.
  • Expand Driver updates and select the drivers shown. Then tap Download & Install. Download and installation may take some time, but you can continue to use your PC while this happens in the background.

How to Manually Install USB 3.0 Drivers on Windows 11

The steps in this guide will install USB 3.0 drivers on most PCs, but you may face issues if Windows 11 doesn’t recognize the make and model of your PC. You’ll need to track the drivers down and manually install them.

Open the Windows Start menu and select the Settings app.

Select Windows Update from the left-hand menu.

Tap Advanced options.

Select Optional updates.

Expand Driver updates and select the drivers shown. Then tap Download & Install. Download and installation may take some time, but you can continue to use your PC while this happens in the background.

Your PC manufacturer’s support website will often provide these drivers. Support sites differ between manufacturers, so we can’t provide step-by-step instructions. However, you’ll generally need your PC’s model number or serial number to search for your PC. This can be found on a label printed on your desktop or laptop.

If drivers aren’t available through your PC manufacturer, or the PC is a custom build, you can try downloading drivers directly from the manufacturer of your PC’s motherboard. Download a Windows system information tool and launch it. Note the brand and model number of the motherboard manufacturer, head to the manufacturer’s support site, and search for the motherboard model number. This may lead you to USB drivers you can download and install.

  • How do I update USB drivers in Windows 10?
  • To update your USB drivers in Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for Updates. Windows will search for available updates, including driver updates. Alternatively, navigate to Device Manager and click Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Right-click the device you’re having an issue with and select Update Driver.
  • How do I reinstall a USB driver?
  • To reinstall a USB driver, navigate to Device Manager, right-click the name of the device you’re having an issue with, and select Uninstall. Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
  • How do I install motherboard drivers with USB?
  • An easy way to install motherboard drivers via USB is to navigate to your motherboard manufacturer’s website, then download the drivers directly to a USB drive. Connect the USB drive to your Windows PC and install the drivers by opening the driver files and following the on-screen instructions.
  • How do I uninstall USB drivers?
  • To uninstall USB drivers, navigate to Device Manager, click the View menu, and enable Show Hidden Devices. Find the type of device you’re dealing with, then expand the menu, right-click your device, and select Uninstall. In the confirmation dialog, click Delete the driver software for this device > OK.

To update your USB drivers in Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for Updates. Windows will search for available updates, including driver updates. Alternatively, navigate to Device Manager and click Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Right-click the device you’re having an issue with and select Update Driver.

To reinstall a USB driver, navigate to Device Manager, right-click the name of the device you’re having an issue with, and select Uninstall. Restart your PC, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

An easy way to install motherboard drivers via USB is to navigate to your motherboard manufacturer’s website, then download the drivers directly to a USB drive. Connect the USB drive to your Windows PC and install the drivers by opening the driver files and following the on-screen instructions.

To uninstall USB drivers, navigate to Device Manager, click the View menu, and enable Show Hidden Devices. Find the type of device you’re dealing with, then expand the menu, right-click your device, and select Uninstall. In the confirmation dialog, click Delete the driver software for this device > OK.

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