Power surge on USB port [Error / Pop-up notification]
- We use USB ports regularly, but some users reported a Power surge on USB port message on their PC.
- This error can be easily fixed by following the guides from the dialog window.
- You can also fix the issue by running one of many built-in Windows troubleshooters.
- If you’re getting a Power surge on USB port while using an external hard drive, make sure that the drive has enough power.

We use USB devices on daily basis, but sometimes error messages such as Power surge on USB port can appear while using certain devices.
This message sounds alarming, and in today’s guide we’ll show you how to deal with it properly.
How do I fix a power surge on a USB port?
1. Use Reset option from the error window
- Expend or double-click on the error message to open the complete window.
- Disconnect all the USB peripheral devices from your system.
- Click the Reset button from the screen.
- Reboot the computer and reconnect the device again to see if the error persists.
This is a simple solution, but it might be helpful if the Power surge on USB port message appears with nothing plugged in.
2. Run the troubleshooter
- Open the Settings app and go to the Update & Security section.
- Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left and select Additional troubleshooters.
- Now select the suitable troubleshooter and run it.
This is a general solution, but it might help if you get Power surge on USB port while using your external hard drive.
3. Reinstall the USB Controller Driver
- Disconnect the USB devices from your computer.
- Press Win + X and click Device Manager.
- Click Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand the options.
- Right-click on each driver and click Uninstall device.
- Restart your computer and Windows will reinstall the controller drivers.
- Plug the USB device and see if the error disappeared.
Note: You need to have an internet connection available, otherwise Windows might not automatically reinstall the newest drivers.
Additionally, it is recommended to use specialized driver software to accordingly install, reinstall or perform other driver-related actions that solve drivers’ issues automatically.
⇒ Get DriverFix
4. Use and USB Hub
If the error happens with only a specific device on multiple computers, then maybe the device needs more voltage. In this case, you can try to use a USB hub that comes with its own power source.
These devices are very common, they feature multiple USB ports, and are also cheap, so they will help with Power surge on USB port unknown USB device needs more power error.
If you have firstly concluded that the port is not broken, the above solution will definitively help you solve the issue.
These are just a couple of simple solutions that you can use to fix Power surge on USB port, so be sure to try them all, and let us know which solution worked for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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In this USB power booster guide, you can find the USB power standards and how to customize the USB output power.
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It can be caused by wrong drivers or a broken USB port. If the lack of power is causing the surge, you can always use a USB hub.
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It is a pretty common issue for USB ports and it does not affect the port itself or the connected device. However, few users reported that their USB port is not working after a power surge.