Upgrading hardware by installing more RAM boosts a system’s performance. If your system lags when gaming or doing heavy tasks, you can upgrade RAM. If the hardware upgrade process is performed incorrectly, it can result in multiple issues, such as system instability and boot problems. Some users found that the USB ports were not working after installing RAM. This article lists some fixes for this issue.
Fix USB ports not working after installing RAM in Windows 11/10
Use the following fixes if the USB ports are not working after installing RAM in Windows 11/10:
- Preliminary fixes
- Perform a hard reset
- Clear CMOS
- Ensure that the RAM sticks are installed properly
- Reinstall the USB Controller driver
- Update BIOS
- Contact support
All these fixes are explained in detail below:
1] Preliminary fixes
Before proceeding with advanced troubleshooting methods, perform these preliminary fixes and see if they help.
- Ensure that the RAM is compatible: When upgrading hardware, it is mandatory to read the hardware compatibility. If the RAM is not compatible with your motherboard, you will encounter several issues. Refer to the user manual of your motherboard to know the specifications of compatible RAM.
- Check for physical damage: Sometimes, users damage other components of their motherboard while installing new hardware. Check for physical damage. Open the computer case and remove all RAM sticks. Now, monitor the RAM slots carefully.
2] Perform a hard reset
Perform a hard reset. Follow these steps:
- Turn off your laptop or PC.
- Disconnect the charger and power cord from your laptop and PC, respectively. Remove all peripherals.
- Remove the battery from your laptop.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- Connect the power cord or charger and turn on your system.
3] Clear CMOS
The next fix is to clear the CMOS. This step will also reset your BIOS to the factory default settings. Therefore, before proceeding, note down all your BIOS settings, so you can revert them later.
Turn off your system and disconnect the power cord. Wait for a few minutes. Now, open the computer case and locate a silver coin-shaped battery. It is the CMOS battery. Remove the battery from the socket. Wait for a few minutes and reinsert the battery. Turn on your system.
If this does not help, you can try installing a new CMOS battery.
4] Ensure that the RAM sticks are installed properly
Ensure that the RAM sticks are installed properly. Some motherboards follow a specific pattern for RAM installation. For example, if your motherboard has 4 RAM slots and you are installing 2 RAM sticks, the pattern may be 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 1-3, 2-4, etc. That’s why it is always suggested to read the motherboard manual before upgrading hardware.
5] Reinstall the USB Controller driver
If the issue persists, reinstall the USB controller driver. Since the USB ports are not working, you can use a PS/2 keyboard (if your computer has a PS/2 port). If the PS/2 port is not available, remove the new RAM sticks and install the old RAM sticks. Skip this fix if you are unable to use your mouse or keyboard.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers branch.
- Right-click on the USB host controller driver and select Uninstall device.
- Uninstall all available USB host controller drivers.
Restart your computer. Windows will automatically install the missing drivers on restart.
6] Update BIOS
After installing new hardware, it is better to update your BIOS to the latest version. A BIOS update is highly recommended if you upgrade crucial hardware components, such as the CPU, RAM, and GPU. Update your BIOS to the latest version. You can download the BIOS firmware from the official website of your computer manufacturer.
To check the currently installed BIOS version, open System Information and select System Summary. You will see the current BIOS version on the right side.
7] Contact support
If the issue persists, you need to contact support. If your laptop is under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer for free service. However, if the warranty has expired, you can take your system to any professional computer repair shop.
More suggestions: USB ports are not working in Windows 11
Why have my USB ports stopped working?
There can be many reasons why your USB ports have stopped working. The most common reason is the outdated or corrupted USB Controller drivers. Uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers can help resolve the issue. Sometimes, the USB cable is faulty. In some cases, it may be a hardware fault.
How do I fix the USB ports not working in BIOS?
Older computers often lack support for USB ports in their BIOS. That’s why these computers have PS/2 ports. If you have an older computer, connect your keyboard or mouse to the PS/2 port to use it in BIOS. If you use a gaming keyboard, it may not work in BIOS because gaming keyboards have different modes. If the gaming configuration mode is active on the gaming keyboard, it will not work in BIOS.
Read next: Keyboard or Mouse not working in BIOS.
