Q. What’s the fix for non-working USB ports after I converted to Windows 10?

Q.  What’s the fix for non-working USB ports after I converted to Windows 10? I’ve tried all the options I could find, but none of them worked. Other than buying a machine with more power, is there a fix available — right now?

A. Yes, and it’s not a problem of needing more power; it’s almost surely a simple matter of having the correct drivers.

If the USB system is built into your PC, visit the manufacturer’s support site. If the USB system is some kind of add-on card or device, visit the support site for the vendor of the add-on.

In either case, download and install the latest-available Windows 10 USB drivers for your specific brand and model PC or add-on device. If Windows 10-specific drivers aren’t available, try the Windows 8 versions.

If the manufacturer offers neither Windows 10- nor Windows 8-compatible drivers, then yes, you might need to replace the hardware. (For a desktop PC, you could consider adding an add-on USB card that does include Windows 10 drivers.) If you replace your system, don’t use the same vendor! Instead, choose one that offers better, up-to-date support for their products.

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Editor's note: We feature an abridged Q&A from Fred Langa's LANGALIST, a column available exclusively to paid subscribers of the Windows Secrets newsletter,. What you see here is just a small sampling of what Langa's writing for the newsletter — go here for more information on how to subscribe.