Resolve “Device Descriptor Request Failed” error on Windows 10, 11

The method to resolve "device descriptor request failure" is as follows.

1. Try changing the USB port
2. Update or reinstall drivers
3. Disable USB selective suspend
4. Change fast startup settings
5. Using troubleshooting tools

Microsoft's "Device descriptor request failure" forum

Many users using Windows 10, 11 may encounter the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error.

This error is a common problem that occurs when your PC cannot recognize your USB device.

For example, when you connect external devices such as external hard drives, USB sticks, printers, etc. to your PC, you may receive this message along with error code 43.

The main causes of this issue can be driver mismatch, bad USB port, hardware issues, etc.

This article details the main causes of this error, its solutions, and next steps if the solutions don't work.

This page explains USB-related errors etc.→How to resolve when USB removal is not displayed and an error occurs every time

Introduction: What is the device descriptor request failure error?

Device descriptor request failure is a common error that frequently occurs for Windows 10, 11 users.

This error occurs when the USB device is not properly connected to the PC or when the PC cannot properly recognize the USB device.

Specifically, when communication between your PC and USB device goes wrong, Device Manager displays "Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)" with error code 43.

When this error occurs, USB devices such as external hard drives, USB flash drives, printers, etc. will not work properly.

Resolving the error is a must, and this article details the steps required to do so.

Part 1: Main causes of error 43 “Device descriptor request failed”

Error code 43, or the error message "Device descriptor request failed", indicates that your USB device is not working properly on your Windows 10 or 11 computer.

The main cause of this error is that the computer cannot properly recognize or communicate with the USB device, such as a flash drive, printer, camera, etc.

The specific cause is

1.  The USB device driver is outdated or corrupt.
2.  The USB port is broken.
3.  Windows system files are corrupted.

Such will be considered.

In either case, the communication between the computer and the USB device is incomplete, resulting in errors and preventing the normal operation of the USB device.

This article details how to identify and resolve these causes.

Driver inconsistency

Error 43 "Device descriptor request failed" can be caused by driver inconsistencies.

Computer drivers are important programs that exchange information between hardware devices and the operating system (OS).

However, outdated or corrupted drivers prevent proper communication between the device and the OS, resulting in errors.

For example, let's say you bought a new printer and connected it to your PC. But if your printer's driver is outdated, your PC may not be able to communicate with the printer properly and error 43 may appear.

Thus, driver mismatches can prevent your device from properly communicating with your PC and cause error 43.

You can avoid such troubles by always keeping your drivers up to date.

bad usb port

One of the causes of error 43 “Device descriptor request failed” is a bad USB port.

A USB port is an interface for connecting a PC to external devices (mouse, keyboard, USB memory, etc.).

However, if the USB port itself is physically damaged or the internal wiring is disconnected, the PC may not be able to properly recognize the connected device and error 43 may appear.

For example, if something is inserted into your PC's USB port or the pins of the port are bent, the PC will not be able to properly recognize the USB memory even if you connect it, and an error will occur. .

Thus, physical damage to the USB port can prevent the device from communicating with the PC and cause error 43.

To prevent damage to the USB port, it is important to be careful not to apply excessive force or insert objects into the port.

hardware problem

One of the main causes of error 43 “Device descriptor request failed” is a hardware problem.

This is caused by a malfunction in the internal components of your computer or a connected external device.

For example, if the USB device itself is malfunctioning or the computer's USB port is broken, Windows will not be able to recognize the USB device properly and error 43 will occur.

Other problems with your computer's motherboard or power supply can also cause this error.

These hardware problems are generally difficult to resolve on your own.

So, if you encounter error 43 and suspect a hardware issue like the one mentioned above, we recommend that you contact a professional repair company.

As you can see, hardware problems are one of the main causes of error 43 "Device descriptor request failure" and often require specialized knowledge, so take appropriate measures.

Part 2: Solutions for “Device Descriptor Request Failed” Error

“Device descriptor request failed” error is a bothersome problem for Windows 10, 11 users, but fortunately, there are some solutions. This error usually occurs when Windows cannot properly recognize the USB device.

First, make sure your USB device, cable, and ports are OK. Next, open Device Manager, uninstall the problematic device's driver, reboot, and then reinstall it. Also, disabling Windows' fast startup may be effective.

If these methods do not resolve the issue, there may be a problem with your computer's hardware. In that case, we recommend that you consult a professional repairer.

As you can see, there are several solutions to the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error, and the appropriate solution depends on the cause. Try the above methods to resolve the issue.

Solution 1: Try changing the USB port

One simple solution to the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error is to try changing the USB port. Because one of the causes of the error may be a problem with the USB port you are using.

For example, USB ports on the back of your computer have better signal quality than ports on the front because they connect directly to the motherboard. Therefore, if a problem occurs with the front USB port, try changing to the rear port and the error may be resolved.

If you are using a USB hub, try connecting it directly to your computer without going through the hub. If the performance or quality of the USB hub is poor, the device signal may not be transmitted properly.

In this way, simply trying to change the USB port may eliminate the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error. If the error still persists, try other solutions.

Solution 2: Update or reinstall the driver

Another solution to the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error is to update or reinstall your drivers. This is because the cause of the error may be an inconsistency or defect in the driver.

Computer hardware requires software called drivers to properly communicate with the operating system. If the driver is outdated or has defects, signals will not be exchanged correctly between the hardware and the operating system, resulting in errors.

For example, if a USB device has outdated drivers, you may encounter errors when you try to use the device with a modern operating system. Therefore, we recommend visiting the website of the manufacturer of the device in question, downloading and installing the latest drivers.

Updating or reinstalling the driver will hopefully resolve the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error. If the error still persists, try other solutions.

Solution 3: Disable USB selective suspend

One solution to the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error is to disable USB Selective Suspend. This is a feature that allows Windows to automatically turn off power to USB devices that are not in use to reduce battery consumption.

However, if this feature is enabled, your computer may not be able to properly recognize the USB device, resulting in an error, so try disabling this feature to resolve the error.

For example, if you connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your computer and don't do anything with it for a while, Windows may use this feature to turn off the device. Therefore, you may encounter an error when you try to use your device again.

To avoid this issue, we recommend disabling USB Selective Suspend. It is hoped that this will allow USB devices to operate normally without being powered off even when not in use. If the error persists, try other solutions.

How to disable USB selective suspend

Type "powercfg.cpl" in the search window next to the start button and click "powercgf.cpl" at the top of the window to open it.

The next window will open, so click "Change plan settings" for the power plan you are currently using.

You will be redirected to the next window, so click on "Change advanced power settings".

A small window of power options will open, so double-click on "USB Settings".
Next, double-click "USB Selective Suspend Settings", select Disable in the settings, and click the "OK" button to disable USB Selective Suspend.

Solution 4: Change fast startup settings

A possible solution to the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error is to change the Fast Startup settings. Fast Startup is a feature that reduces Windows startup time, but when this feature is enabled, system and driver problems are more likely to occur.

Fast Startup reduces startup time by saving the system state to your hard disk during shutdown and loading that information the next time you start up. However, this feature may result in unstable connections with USB devices.

For example, if you shut down your computer and restart it with a USB device connected, the system may not recognize the USB device properly due to the fast startup feature.

Therefore, to resolve the error, we recommend disabling the fast startup setting from the control panel. However, please be aware that changing this setting may increase the startup time of your computer. If the error persists, try other solutions.

Solution 5: Use troubleshooting tools

One effective way to resolve the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error is to use a troubleshooting tool. Windows includes troubleshooting tools to automatically diagnose and possibly fix hardware and device problems.

Troubleshooting tools can identify system problems and repair them automatically. For example, driver issues, hardware issues, system configuration issues, etc. may be resolved by this tool.

For specific instructions, select "Troubleshooting" from the control panel and follow the instructions. Among them, it is a good idea to select and run the "Hardware and Devices" troubleshooter.

However, troubleshooting tools do not solve all problems. If this tool does not resolve your issue, try other solutions. Also, make sure you are connected to the internet and have administrator privileges when using this tool.

Part 3: Next steps if these solutions fail

In Part 3, I'll show you the next action plan if none of the previous solutions worked.

If the above solutions did not work, the most likely cause is an issue with the device itself. For example, the USB device may be damaged or incompatible with your PC.

In this case, first try another USB device you have. If your new device works fine, it's likely that your previous device was broken or incompatible with your PC.

Another method is to contact the support center of the PC manufacturer or device manufacturer. There may be information that the device is only compatible with a specific PC or OS.

Finally, if your PC or device is still under warranty, we recommend offering to repair or replace it.

Hopefully these steps will resolve your issue, but if the issue persists, consider having your issue checked by a professional technician.

Summary: Path to error resolution

In this article, we have discussed the main causes of the "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error, its solutions, and what to do next if the solutions do not work.

This error is very common and may be encountered by many users.

However, we hope that by trying the steps mentioned in this article, your problem will be resolved.

However, if the problem persists, consider seeing a professional technician.

We also recommend offering a repair or replacement if your PC or device is still under warranty.

I hope this article helps you solve your PC problems.