USB-C Port Not Working: 9 Causes & Instant Fixes

Written by Al Shariar Apon in Gadgets

Your USB-C port on your MacBook or Windows PC isn’t working. You get an error message that says “Accessory malfunctioned”, or the USB-C port is just not detected by your machine.

The worst part is you have absolutely NO idea what to do. You don’t want to pay a cent to fix the problem, but the last thing you want to do is make the situation worse.

Follow these 9 simple steps to eliminate the potential causes for USB-C port issues and get the USB-C port on your laptop or PC working again.

Table of Contents

1. Your USB Driver Outdated or Corrupted

Your USB-C port may not work correctly if the USB is corrupted and outdated. It may occur for various reasons, such as accidental power failure, improper operation, etc.

How To Fix

Manually reinstalling the USB driver appears the most appropriate solution for this problem. Alternatively, you can easily use Driver Easy to handle the driver updating task without hassles.

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2. Problem with PCs Power Management

In order to save power, your computer may prevent the USB C from working. Generally, when there is less voltage, the PC tries to save as much power as possible.

How To Fix

In order to fix this problem, changing the power management settings is necessary. Here is the process to do it:

  • Open the Windows search box.
  • Type “Choose a power plan” on the box
  • Choose the “Ultimate” or “High Performance” option.
  • Now tap on “Change plan settings.”
  • Next, select the “Change advanced power settings” option
  • Tap on the USB settings two times, followed by the “USB selective suspend setting.”
  • Finally, select Apply and then OK

3. You Have Turned Off the Notifications

Sometimes, you may have mistakenly turned off the notifications, preventing you from connecting the USB-C port to your PC.

How To Fix

Simply turning on the notification setting can help you solve this problem. You can follow this link to open the notification directly.

4. Insufficient PC Charging

When there is inadequate PC charging, it may prevent the USB-C from working smoothly on your Windows.

How To Fix

This problem generally happens for using incompatible cable or charger with the PC. It is always better to use the original charger and cable that is provided while purchasing the PC.

If the problem persists, take off the laptop battery and press the power switch for 1 minute. The capacitors will be discharged fully because of this.

Now, keep the laptop off over time. Turn on the PC in the morning. Check if the USB-C port is working currently or not.

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5. Old version Windows

Though this problem is not usual, you may fix the issue by updating your current Windows. Generally, there are many bugs and other issues in an old version of Windows that can be eliminated using a new version of Windows.

How To Fix

  • At first, open the Windows search box
  • Write “Check for updates” on the search box
  • Tap on the option when it appears
  • Finally, download and install the available update

6. Dust inside the USB-C Port

If your laptop USB-C Port has remained uncleaned for several weeks or months, dirt, residues, or even oil may get inside it and prevents the port from working.

How To Fix

At first, use some Rubbing Alcohol to wet a cotton swab and put it inside the USB port. Put the swab gently inside the port and try to clean as much dirt as possible.

Now get a compressed air can or blower, aim its nozzle at the port area, and activate the can. After turning it on, it will blow high-pressure air to extract various dirt and residues from the port.

Make sure you aim the nozzle in different angles instead of straightly to avoid pushing dirt further inside the USB port. Otherwise, the situation will get worse.

Alternatively, you can easily use a Contact Cleaner to get rid of dust, particles, and oily substances from the USB-C port. Remember to switch off the PC and unplug the power cable before working on it. Letting the PC cool down is also better.

7. Damaged USB-C port

If you plug in and out USB devices in your USB-C port more often, it will cause damage to the port in the long run. Also, this happens when you put excessive pressure on plug-in USB devices.

This will break down or damage the pads or solder pins inside the USB-C port. Generally, this problem shows many early signs, such as failing to connect a USB device at the first attempt. You may need to try several times to connect it.

How To Fix

Solving this problem requires you to replace the USB-C port. If you have enough computer knowledge, you can set up a new USB-C port of your own.

Just purchase a USB-C port from a nearby hardware store, remove the damaged port, and replace it with the new one.

Make sure you choose the ideal size and model since some PC units may have slightly different ports. You can bring the damaged port while buying the new one to get the accurate one.

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8. Broken USB Device

Sometimes, you may mistakenly think your USB-C port is not working, but the problem is with the USB device. Your USB device might be broken, damaged, or have other internal issues.

How To Fix

Consider inserting another USB device inside the USB-C port. If it works, the other one might be damaged. You can get a new USB cable to connect your USB device to the USB-C. Plus, replacing the USB port of the device might be necessary if the cable has any issues.

9. Jammed Operating System

Sometimes, your PC’s operating system may jam up due to many temporary files from long-term usage. The hardware might be failing to be compatible with the USB-C cable.

How To Fix

An easy-going solution to this problem is switching off the computer and restarting it. This will remove any temporary files and scan files to make the system work smoothly. It will easily help the PC detect the USB device without facing any difficulty.

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FAQ

Does iPhone have USB-C ports?

If you’re using an iPhone, most likely it does not have USB-C ports. Instead, the iPhone uses a Lightning port for charging and data transfer.

What Is The Difference Between Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C?

Thunderbolt 3 is a new type of port that was released in 2017. It is more powerful than USB-C and can transfer data faster. USB-C is the most common port used in devices today.

Is USB-C supposed to wiggle?

Yes, it is designed to wiggle. It is called “keyed”, which means it has a locking mechanism. When it is plugged in, it locks the connector to the device. This prevents the cable from being pulled out by accident. It also helps in keeping it stable in the device.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have solved the problem of the USB-C port is not working. If the issue still pops up, hand it over to a nearby computer shop to fix it.

Sources:

Al Shariar Apon

I am a tech enthusiast and love gadgets like Elon musk. When I was very young, I used to love to read books that were about building robots and crazy inventions. My WireTechy Blog helps you to identify problems and give you better solutions.

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