How to Install USB 3.0 Drivers on Windows 11 (2024)

> Microsoft

Uninstall USB 3.0 devices from Device Manager to force Windows to reinstall them, or check for drivers using Windows Update

Matthew S. Smith

Writer

Beloit College

Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others.

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Updated on October 10, 2023

Reviewed by

Ryan Perian

Reviewed byRyan Perian

Western Governors University

Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.

lifewire's editorial guidelines

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.

Windows 11 typically installs USB 3.0 drivers by default. HOWEVER, if USB 3.0 devices aren't working, these drivers may be missing or corrupt. A fresh driver install should fix the problem.

How to Install USB 3.0 Drivers on Windows 11

Follow these steps to use Device Manager to install USB 3.0 drivers:

Open Device Manager. One way is to search for it from the Start menu.
Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category by selecting the arrow next to it.
If it's visible, right-click USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) and select 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 and install their drivers.
If successful, the USB Root Hub (USB 3.0) will reappear in Device Manager. Reboot your PC if it does not appear.
See Also
How to Repair Windows 11 and Fix Corrupted Files

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 Start menu and select Settings. If you don't see the link, press Win+i.
Select Windows Update from the left-hand menu.
Select Advanced options.
Choose Optional updates.
Expand Driver updates and select the drivers shown. Then choose Download & install.
This might 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.

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; use a system information tool to look into those details. 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.

Our 8 Favorite Free Driver Updater Tools (September 2024)

FAQ

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.

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