Not enough USB controller resources error on Windows 11

USB is now being used in all devices. USB A is leading with most devices based on it. Peripherals like Pen Drives, External Hard disks, and more use a USB port. USB C is coming up to be the next big standard in the computing world due to its high transfer speeds, wider compatibility, and support for external Graphics Processing Units. However, USB 3.0 ports have been reported to be causing the following error to appear on Windows 11/10 whenever a USB device is plugged in:

Not enough USB controller resources, The controller does not have enough resources for this device.

Fix Not enough USB controller resources error in Windows 11/10

In this article, we will be discussing the probable fixes for this issue:

1. Use a lower generation USB port.
2. Use a dock.
3. Disable the xHCI Mode option in BIOS.
4. Reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers.
5. Run USB Troubleshooter.

1] Use a lower generation USB port

This issue mostly occurs when a device is connected to a USB 3.0 port. You can try to plug in your device to a USB 2.0 port and check if that fixes your issues.

You can identify a USB 3.0 port like the one in blue as given in the image above. All other ports are of a lower generation.

2] Use a dock

Using a dock can also solve your issues. Because when too much power on laptops and notebooks are drawn from the USB ports and as a USB 3.0  port draws more power than a USB 2.0 port. Hence, plugging in your USB Device to a USB 2.0 Port should make you get rid of this error.

3] Disable the xHCI Mode option in BIOS

Boot your computer into the BIOS.

Once booted, go to the tab labeled as Advanced.

Under the section of USB Configuration, make sure that the entry for xHCI Pre-boot mode is set to be Disabled.

Save the changes and reboot your computer to Windows 11/10 and check if that fixed your issues.

4] Reinstall the Universal Service Controller drivers

The main drivers that might be a cause for this particular file will be marked with a small yellow exclamation mark icon inside of the Device Manager. If not, look out for sub-entries under Universal Serial Bus controllers entry, then we suggest you Update these drivers and mainly Generic USB Hub driver.

Alternatively, you can Uninstall them and then Reboot your computer and allow Windows to reinstall them automatically.

5] Run USB Troubleshooter

Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter or the Windows USB Troubleshooter and check if it helps. The automated tools check the hardware or USB connection to the computer for any known issues and fix them automatically.

I hope something helps!

Why is my USB switch Not enough resources?

When your USB switch indicates “Not enough resources,” it typically means the devices connected exceed the capacity of a single USB root hub. Even if ports are available, the power or bandwidth may be insufficient. To resolve this, connect fewer devices or use a powered USB hub to distribute the load.

How do I reset my USB controller on Windows?

To reset your USB controller on Windows, press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager.” Expand “Universal Serial Bus Controllers” and right-click each device to select “Uninstall device.” Once done, restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the USB drivers, completing the reset process.