5 Fixes: USB File Transfer Not Working in Windows 11

Why Is My USB File Transfer Not Working?

Several reasons could contribute to USB file transfer issues. Here are some common causes:

• Faulty USB Port or Cable
• Driver Problems
• File System Compatibility
• Corrupted Files
• USB Power Management
• Antivirus or Security Software
• System Updates

Test the USB drive on another computer to determine if the issue is specific to your Windows 11 system. By systematically checking and addressing these potential causes, you can troubleshoot and resolve USB file transfer issues on your Windows 11 system.

After understanding the reason, let's next take a look at how to fix USB file transfer not working on Windows 11 below.

👉Bonus Tip: Backup USB to Prevent Data Loss

5 Ways to Fix USB File Transfer Not Working in Windows 11

This section will provide detailed 5 methods to teach you to solve USB file transfer not working in Windows 11.

1.Examine Your Device and USB Port

Prior to attempting any extensive solutions for USB port issues on your computer, conduct a thorough inspection for potential damage.

This involves disconnecting the USB device, examining the cables and the USB port, and then reconnecting the device. If a cable is found to be damaged, consider replacing it. In cases where dust is present in the USB port, use canned air to remove it.

After assessing for damage and clearing the USB port of any debris, reconnect the device and check whether this resolves USB file transfer not working on Windows 11.

2. Experiment with an Alternate USB Port

If you are certain that your device is in good working condition, the issue may lie with the specific USB port you are currently using.

To address this, a straightforward solution is to disconnect the USB drive from its current port and insert it into a different one. If Windows 11 recognizes the device and it functions seamlessly in the new port, you can focus on troubleshooting the initial port.

In the meantime, continue utilizing the alternative port to proceed with your tasks.

3. Substitute the USB Device

If the USB port appears to be operational, the issue might lie with the device you are currently using. If Windows fails to recognize it, you may need to temporarily replace the device with an alternative.

For instance, a USB hard drive will only be acknowledged if the drive itself is functional. Before considering a replacement, test the device on another PC (if available) to confirm its functionality.

Regrettably, pinpointing the exact reason for a USB device malfunction can be challenging. Consult the user manual for the device or explore potential support options from the manufacturer for further investigation.

4. Update USB Drivers

To enhance USB functionality, it's crucial to verify that your USB drivers are current. Follow these steps for a swift update or reinstallation of USB drivers to solve USB file transfer not working on Windows 10:

Step 1. Access the Start menu by pressing the Start button or the Windows key.

Step 2. Type device manager and choose the top result.

Step 3. Navigate through the Device Manager tree menu, expanding the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.

Step 4. Right-click on each entry and choose Uninstall device.

Reboot your PC, allowing Windows to automatically reinstall the latest drivers for the device during the restart.

5. Adjust Power Management Configuration

USB devices typically require a substantial amount of power. However, when operating on battery power, the available power may be limited due to specific power management settings. For instance, a USB drive may experience insufficient power when a laptop is running on its battery.

To address this issue, you can modify your power management settings with the following steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. In the Run dialog, type devmgmt.msc and click OK.

Step 3. Scroll down and expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section in Device Manager.

Step 4. Right-click on USB Root Hub and choose Properties.

Step 5. Within the USB Root Hub Properties window, select the Power Management tab.

Step 6. Uncheck the option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" and click OK to solve USB file transfer not working on Windows 11.

Bonus Tip: Backup USB to Prevent Data Loss

The rise of USB flash drives eases file transfer worries, but concerns about potential data loss persist. To address this, USB automatic backup freeware, like AOMEI Backupper Standard, is essential for enhanced data protection in USB storage.

This free home-use solution enables effortless regular backups with daily, weekly, or monthly scheduling. The program also compresses backup images for efficient disk space use. Download AOMEI Backupper Standard to secure your USB drive—it's also reliable external hard drive backup software.

▶Reliable and Free Compatibility: First and foremost, the auto backup program must be reliable and free, supporting various Windows operating systems like Windows 7/8/10/11/XP/Vista.
▶Professional Backup Features: Additionally, a professional auto backup tool should perform both scheduled and incremental backups.
▶Critical Feature & Missed Backup Recovery: Most importantly, it should execute missed backups during the next system startup, acknowledging the intermittent connection of USB drives.

AOMEI Backupper

Best free USB backup software for personal use.

Download Freeware
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

AOMEI Backupper Standard offers the capability to back up an entire disk or individual partitions. If your USB drive contains more than two partitions (including two partitions), it is advisable to utilize disk backup for comprehensive protection. However, in the specific case where the USB drive in the following example has only one partition, a partition backup is recommended.

Step 1. Insert your USB flash drive, ensuring its detection by Windows. Install and open AOMEI Backupper Standard, then navigate to Backup-> Partition Backup.

Step 2. Select the USB drive partition for backup by clicking Add Partition or Volume.

Step 3. Opt for the destination path, typically your PC, to backup the USB stick in most instances.

Step 4. Utilize the Schedule Backup feature and configure the desired backup frequency. Opt for the "USB plugin" mode to enable automatic backup of the flash drive upon connection.

Step 5. Initiate the backup process by clicking Start Backup after completing your configuration.

Notes:✎...
Options: This section allows you to compress or split the backup image during the backup process.
Backup Scheme: Manage backup images on the destination storage as needed with this option. To access this feature, consider upgrading to AOMEI Backupper Professional.
In case you accidentally delete crucial files and wish to restore them from the entire disk/partition images, you can execute a selective files restore (paid feature).

Summary

This article provides detailed 5 ways to teach you to fix USB file transfer not working in Windows 11. Finally we recommend you to use AOMEI Backupper to backup your USB data to prevent data loss. It provides a range of features to alleviate concerns about file loss. Effortlessly recover deleted, lost, or damaged files from backup images using this USB flash drive automatic backup software. Additionally, it offers a disk clone feature, making it an excellent USB clone tool.

AOMEI Backupper Professional includes embedded command-line backup, facilitating unattended tasks. Moreover, the advanced edition is beneficial for managing USB backup image storage, automatically deleting old backups to optimize disk space.