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. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Clearing the Address Resolution Protocol Cache

Corrupt or unwanted Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache entries can cause connectivity errors. Here is how to flush ...

Discover More

Displaying the Volume Icon in the Taskbar

Having access to the volume slider in the Taskbar is handy. Learn how to display or hide the volume icon in the Taskbar.

Discover More

Enabling Speech to Text Dictation

With Dictation feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can quickly say what you want and have Windows 10 ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Better Wallpaper Quality

When you set an image for your wallpaper Windows 10 compresses the quality of the image. You can improve the quality of ...

Discover More

Disabling Automatic Reboot after a Windows Update

It may not always be a good thing to have Windows automatically restart your computer after an update. This tip tells you ...

Discover More

Changing Time Settings

As you no doubt know, Windows has a built-in clock that is used for a variety of purposes. This tip covers the various ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.