How To Fix USB-C Problems in Windows PC

If you are one of them who repeatedly face USB-C problems on your Windows PC, then you are at the right place! This post will discuss all possible fixes for different USB-C problems. Hopefully, the suggestions will resolve your USB-C problems.

Fix USB-C Problems in the Windows PC

Here are some possible USB-C notifications you might receive if there are any USB-C issues in your Windows system.

USB4 device functionality might be limited
USB device not recognized
Slow USB charger connected, or PC is not Charging
USB device functionality might be limited, or Thunderbolt device functionality might be limited
Display connection might be limited, or MHL device functionality might be limited.
Use the different USB port
USB device might need more power
Unsupported USB-C Audio Adapter

We will provide you with all the possible fixes for the above-mentioned USB-C problems, so read the post till the end. You will also need admin permission to execute some of these steps.

1] USB4 Device Functionality Might Be Limited

If you are getting the USB4 device, functionality might be limited notification; first, you must ensure that your system supports the USB4 device you are connecting to.

Possible Causes

You are using a cable that doesn’t support USB4.
Your device supports USB4, but it’s plugged into a port on your PC that doesn’t support USB4. Maybe the attached device has limited functionality because it’s not utilized.
You are connecting the USB4 device to a non-supported USB4 dock.

Solutions

Ensure your PC supports USB4 to get the best result from the connected USB4 device.
Connect your USB4 device right away to your PC or only to USB4-supported
Make sure to use a certified USB4 cable

2] USB Device Not Recognised

The last USB device you connected to your PC malfunctioned, and Windows didn’t recognize its error. It is a common issue most people face! Let’s understand the possible cause and solutions for this issue.

Possible Causes

Maybe the USB device you connected to reported an issue
There may be a problem with the device driver.

Solutions

To get started, find the error code on your Windows PC and note it.
Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager
In Device Manager, find the device which should be marked with a yellow exclamation symbol.
Now choose the device, right-click, and select Properties. The error code will now display under the Device status.

Once you have the error code, we will need to troubleshoot based on that.

3] Slow USB Charger Connected, or PC Is Not Charging

If you are facing a slow USB charger connection or your PC is not charging issue, then to fix it, you must use the charger and cable coming with your device. Let’s understand more details about the possible causes and solutions for this issue.

Possible Causes

The charger might have connected via an external dock or hub.
The charger is not compatible with your system, does not have enough power efficiency to charge your PC, or is not connected to a charging port on your PC.
Dust or dirt inside the USB port will result in an improper connection between the USB-C port and cable.
The charging cable is not power efficient enough for your PC.

Solutions

Always make sure to use the charger and cable that comes with your PC
Make sure you connect your charger to your PC’s USB-C charging port.
Try to use a can of compressed air to clean the USB-C port available on your PC.

4] USB Device Functionality Might Be Limited, or Thunderbolt Device Functionality Might Be Limited

If you get the notification error that USB device functionality might be limited or Thunderbolt device functionality might be limited, then make sure your PC supports the device you are connecting to. Let’s understand more possible causes of this error and their respective solutions.

Possible Causes

The device you connected to has new features for USB-C features that don’t support your PC.
Because of the new features for USB-C that the device you connected to the cable doesn’t support.
The device is not well-connected to the correct USB-C port on your PC
The device uses an external hub to connect your PC
Maybe too many alternative mode devices are connected to your PC.

Solutions

Confirm whether your PC supports the same USB-C features as the connected device.
Check whether the cable supports the same USB-C features as the connected device or not.
Ensure the device is connected to the USB-C port on your system, which supports the appropriate alternate mode.

5] Display Connection Might Be Limited, or MHL Device Functionality Might Be Limited

If you are getting the error notification that the display connection might be limited or MHL device functionality might be limited, check whether your PC supports the display port device you are connecting to. Let’s understand the possible causes of this error and solutions.

Possible Causes

Your connected device has new features for USB-C, which doesn’t support your PC
The device you connected to has new features for USB-C that the cable doesn’t support.
The connected device is not connected to the appropriate USB-C port on your system.
Your device is using an external dock to connect to your system.
Too many other Alternative mode devices are connected to your system.

Solutions

Check and ensure that the device is connected directly to your pc rather than from any other external power source.
Ensure your system supports the same USB-C features as the connected device.
Check whether your cable supports the same USB-C features as the connected device. If it doesn’t support, change it immediately for the best result.
Ensure the connected device to the USB-C port on your system supports the accurate Alternate Mode.

6] Use Different USB Port

Most of the time, users face use different USB Port error notifications. Let’s know why this error occurs and its solutions.

Possible Causes

The device is connected to your PC using an external hub.
Your device is not connected to the appropriate USB-C port on your PC.

Solutions

Always connect your device directly to your PC
Make sure the connected device to the USB-C port on your PC supports the device’s features.

7] USB Device Might Need More Power

USB device might need more power error clearly says that your PC might not provide sufficient energy power to the USB device. In such cases, you need to connect your device to external power or try using a different PC. Let’s know more possible causes of this error and related solutions.

Possible Causes

Your PC can’t supply the necessary power to your connected device because your system does not support that device.
The low system battery of your PC temporarily limits the power it can provide to the device.
The device connected to your system requires more power than your PC can supply.
Your PC offers more power to other devices and limits the power it provides to the device to which you are connected.

Solutions

Plug your PC into any external power source and try to avoid running your system with the help of battery power.
If your USB device can be powered externally, plug it into an external power source.
Disconnect any unused USB devices connected to your PC so your required device will get a sufficient power supply.

8] Unsupported USB-C Audio Adapter

If you are getting the error notification of an unsupported USB-C audio adapter, try connecting a USB-C digital audio adapter instead. Let’s know more about the possible cause of this error and the solution.

Possible Cause

Your PC doesn’t support the audio adapter which you connected

Solution

If you have a USB-C analog audio adaptor connected to your PC, then unplug it and try to connect a good-quality USB-C digital audio adapter.

Conclusion

If you are still following the post, you can better understand the USB-C problems you might face in Windows systems and their solutions. Hopefully, you can resolve any USB-C problem you might face in the future. If you have any question, feels free to ask us in the comment section.

How Do I Test My USB-C Port?

You can test your USB-C port by connecting the device to your system USB-C port and confirming whether the device receives power from your system or not. You can also connect the device to a USB-C-enabled system and confirm whether the device is charging the system or not.