Disabling USB Selective Suspending

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated December 6, 2021)

With Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a feature referred to as USB Selective Suspending. USB Selective Suspending allows Windows to suspend a USB port that the system identifies as being idle or unused. While the port might be suspended, it will be activated when called upon by a system request.

While it is a helpful feature, originally intended to help minimize power consumption on portable devices, there are times that it might help to turn the feature off. Such instances might be when you use a USB device that is not compatible with USB Selective Suspending. Or, perhaps, a USB port is stuck in a suspended state. Whatever reason you might have, it is simple to deactivate USB Selective Suspending.

  1. Press the Windows keys and type (without quotes) "Control Panel" and then press Enter. Windows opens the Control Panel.
  2. In the drop-down next to "View By," select Ă'Large Icons." Windows displays all the settings options in the Control Panel window.
  3. Click on the Ă'Power OptionsĂ" setting. The Control Panel then displays the Windows Power Plan settings page.
  4. Choose the Ă'Change Plan SettingsĂ" link next to the currently selected plan. (The currently selected plan has a radio button selected next to it.) Windows opens the "Change Settings For The Plan: (name of selected plan)" page.
  5. Select and click on the "Change Advanced Power Settings" link.
  6. With the Advanced Power Settings page open, select and expand the "USB Settings" menu.
  7. Select the "Disabled" option from the expanded menu.
  8. Click Apply followed by OK to save the changes you entered.
  9. Close all windows you have open and then restart your machine.

With the feature disabled, Windows will no longer suspend USB ports.

 This tip (12508) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

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