Change Windows USB Power Management Settings

This guide shows you how to stop Windows from turning off your USB devices to save power. It covers the classic Device Manager method, the Power Options control panel, and how to fix devices that still disconnect randomly.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC (Windows 10 or 11, though the steps are similar in older versions)
• Administrator access to change system settings
• Your USB device plugged in (mouse, keyboard, external drive, etc.)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Device Manager (per device)

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section. You’ll see entries like “USB Root Hub” and “Generic USB Hub.”
3. Right-click the first USB Root Hub (or the device that’s causing trouble) and choose Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab.
5. Uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
6. Click OK to save the change.
7. Repeat steps 3–6 for every USB Root Hub and Generic USB Hub listed. Also check the properties of your specific device (e.g., “USB Input Device”) if it has a Power Management tab.

Method 2: Power Options (global setting)

1. Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Click Hardware and Sound, then Power Options.
3. Next to your selected power plan, click Change plan settings.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. In the Power Options dialog, scroll down and expand USB settings, then USB selective suspend setting.
6. Set it to Disabled for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” (if you’re on a laptop). On a desktop, you’ll only see one option.
7. Click Apply and OK.

Method 3: For external drives (extra step)

1. Open Device Manager again.
2. Expand Disk drives.
3. Right-click your external drive and choose Properties.
4. Go to the Policies tab.
5. Select Better performance instead of “Quick removal.” This prevents Windows from disconnecting the drive to save power.
6. Click OK. (Note: you should safely eject the drive before unplugging it when using this setting.)

Common Mistakes

• Only changing one hub: There are often multiple USB hubs in Device Manager. If you only change one, another may still cut power. Check all of them.
• Ignoring the specific device: Some devices (like wireless adapters) have their own Power Management tab. Always check the device itself, not just the hub.
• Forgetting to restart: Some changes don’t take effect until you restart your PC or at least unplug and replug the USB device.
• Setting selective suspend to Disabled when you don’t need to: This can drain laptop batteries faster. Only disable it if you’re having problems.
• Not checking USB 3.0 vs 2.0 ports: If you’re using a USB 3.0 device in a USB 2.0 port, power management may behave differently. Try a different port.

Tips

• If you have a laptop, consider keeping selective suspend enabled on battery to save power, and only disable it when plugged in.
• For wireless mice and keyboards, the receiver often has its own power settings. Check the receiver’s properties in Device Manager.
• Use the powercfg /devicequery wake_armed command in Command Prompt (as admin) to see which devices are allowed to wake your computer.
• If a specific USB port is problematic, try a different port. Some ports share a hub and may be more prone to power saving.
• Keep your USB drivers updated. Outdated drivers can cause power management issues.

Troubleshooting

Device still disconnects after changing settings:

• Unplug the device, restart your PC, then plug it back in.
• Check if the issue happens on a different USB port (preferably a rear port on a desktop).
• Update the chipset drivers from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website.
• If it’s an external drive, try a different USB cable. Some cables are power-only and don’t carry data properly.

Can’t find the Power Management tab:

• Some devices (like simple flash drives) don’t expose this tab. In that case, use the global USB selective suspend setting in Power Options.
• Make sure you’re looking at the right device. Right-click and select “Properties” – the tab should appear.

Settings revert after reboot:

• Windows may reset power settings if the device driver is reinstalled. Check for driver updates and avoid using “Reset all devices” in Device Manager.
• Some BIOS/UEFI settings also control USB power. Check your firmware settings for “USB Power” or “XHCI” options.

Device works but wakes the computer randomly:

• In Device Manager, double-click the device, go to Power Management, and uncheck “Allow this device to wake the computer.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows turn off my USB devices?

Windows has a power-saving feature called USB selective suspend. It puts idle USB devices into a low-power state to save electricity, especially on laptops. This is usually fine, but some devices don’t wake up properly, causing disconnects.

Will disabling USB power management damage my devices?

No. It just keeps the device fully powered at all times. The only downsides are slightly higher power consumption and, on laptops, reduced battery life.

Should I disable USB selective suspend for all devices?

Not necessarily. Only disable it for devices that are causing problems. Disabling it globally can reduce battery life on laptops.

Why is the Power Management tab missing from my USB device?

Some devices, especially simple ones like flash drives, don’t support power management and therefore don’t have the tab. For those, use the global Power Options setting instead.

Does this fix USB disconnects during gaming?

Often, yes. Random disconnects of mice, keyboards, or headsets during gaming are frequently caused by power management. Disabling it for the relevant USB hubs usually resolves the issue.

Can I set power management per USB port?

Yes, each USB hub in Device Manager corresponds to a group of ports. You can change settings per hub, but not per individual port within a hub. If you need per-port control, you may need to use a powered USB hub.

Related

• Fix Data Source References Not Valid in Excel
• iPhone Charging on Hold: What It Means & Fixes
• How to Change Line Spacing in Microsoft Word