Weird USB issues (multiple PCs)

[TheMechEngineer]

I've noticed this issue on multiple computers and was wondering if anyone else has had similar problems.

 

Whether it's my laptop, my desktop or someone else's computer, the USB ports seem to act real finnicky.

I might plug a USB flash drive into one port and the computer has no idea it's there, and in another port it works fine.

 

Similar story for other computers. If someone's USB mouse doesn't work, I just switch it over to another port and it works fine. I also fixed someone's WiFi by plugging their USB WiFi receiver into a different port.

 

What's going on with these damn things? Each USB port has a mind of it's own.

[Furbodo]

Plugs have a rated number of inserts (hehe). The others just weren't used as often my guess. Remember those old White/red/yellow cables for the gamecube? Those wore out too.

[TheMechEngineer]

Plugs have a rated number of inserts (hehe). The others just weren't used as often my guess. Remember those old White/red/yellow cables for the gamecube? Those wore out too.

 

It's actually occuring most often on newer computers. Having a USB device like a mouse plugged into one port might work fine for weeks on end, then all of a sudden the computer has no idea it's there and it won't work again until it's in a different port.

[Furbodo]

It's actually occuring most often on newer computers. Having a USB device like a mouse plugged into one port might work fine for weeks on end, then all of a sudden the computer has no idea it's there and it won't work again until it's in a different port.

Could be an issue with Plug n Pray (Play). If you are someone that never shuts down their laptop, than that's it. Can't tell you how many times I've restarted my machine just so my USB port would sense my drive/mouse/controller. Computers don't like sleep for extended periods of time.

[danomicar]

Yeah i have a similar issue with my laptop and its fairly new. I feel like the quality of USB connectors built has decreased over time. You could always do the classic n64 cartridge trick, sometimes it works for me lol.

[0x1e]

Plugs have a rated number of inserts (hehe). The others just weren't used as often my guess. Remember those old White/red/yellow cables for the gamecube? Those wore out too.

That's why they advertise Gold plated connectors. Apparently they last longer.

I personally have never had problems with USB connectors, apart from them completely breaking from years of use.

I remember one time I pulled the USB stick out of my front panel usb and the inside of the USB came with it. All that was left behind was an empty box.