Are you experiencing USB devices unexpectedly disconnecting or not waking up properly on your Windows 11 PC? This frustrating problem often stems from the USB Selective Suspend feature, which is designed to save power but sometimes causes more harm than good. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what USB Selective Suspend is, why it might be causing issues, and how to fix it — step-by-step and with tips that anyone can follow.
What is USB Selective Suspend in Windows 11?
USB Selective Suspend is a power management feature in Windows 11 that allows your computer to put individual USB ports or devices into a low-power state when they’re not actively in use. This helps extend battery life on laptops and reduce power consumption on desktops.
While it sounds great in theory, this feature sometimes causes problems such as:
- USB devices disconnecting unexpectedly
- External drives or peripherals failing to wake up
- Mouse or keyboard lag or freezing
- USB devices not being recognized after sleep or hibernation
If you’re facing any of these issues, disabling USB Selective Suspend can often resolve them.
How to Fix USB Selective Suspend Issues in Windows 11: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Open Power Options
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
controland press Enter to open the Control Panel. - Click on Hardware and Sound.
- Select Power Options.
Step 2: Edit Your Power Plan Settings
- Locate your selected power plan (it will usually be “Balanced” or “Power Saver”) and click Change plan settings next to it.
- Click on Change advanced power settings.
Step 3: Disable USB Selective Suspend
- In the Power Options dialog box, scroll down to USB settings and expand it.
- Expand USB selective suspend setting.
- You will see two options: On battery and Plugged in (if you’re using a laptop).
- Set both options to Disabled.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
After applying your settings, reboot your PC. This ensures the changes take effect and helps reset USB drivers if needed.
Additional Tips for USB Issues on Windows 11
- Update USB Drivers: Outdated drivers can cause hardware conflicts. Go to Device Manager (Windows + X > Device Manager), expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” right-click each item, and select “Update driver.”
- Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, Microsoft fixes USB bugs in new updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any available updates.
- Use Different USB Port: If a specific USB port behaves poorly, try plugging your device into another port.
- Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter: Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, and run the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter to detect and fix device issues.
Why Not Disable USB Selective Suspend Permanently?
While disabling USB Selective Suspend can fix device issues, it also increases power consumption — especially important for laptop users relying on battery life. If you only notice problems occasionally, consider toggling it off temporarily to troubleshoot or check for driver updates that might fix the underlying cause without disabling the feature.
Final Thoughts
USB Selective Suspend is a useful feature, but when it causes disconnects or device malfunctions, it can be a big headache. By following these simple steps in Windows 11, you can regain control, enjoy stable USB performance, and understand when to balance power savings with usability.
If this guide helped solve your USB issues or you have questions, feel free to share your experience below. Happy computing!
