USB ports going bad?

[Skeithex]

I've noticed when I plug things into my PC (Which is about 4 years old now) that sometimes it doesn't read the USB right away or takes time to if ever. I have to keep taking them out and putting them back in to work when they work quickly on newer PC USB ports. I've also dusted them out so it's not dust making them bad.

They are used a lot, so I'm wondering if they are wearing out?

[froggyboy604]

It is a possibility that they are wearing out.

The metal connectors on the USB port could also be rusting, oxidizing or dirty making the connection bad. You can use Electronic contact Cleaner to try to fix it by cleaning the metal plug parts with the cleaner by spraying some of it on the metal to remove junk to see if it works. But, it probably won't fix rust, but it may fix oxidation, and other problems.

Using a Powered USB hub is a good idea since they are easier to replace than a USB port on a desktop PC, and you can expand the number of USB ports you use from one USB port.

[Skeithex]

I'll have to get that for my laptop since it lacks a lot of USB ports. Though that is pretty expensive for 4 3.0 slots.

[froggyboy604]

I found a USB Port Cleaner kit on Amazon which claims to remove oxidation, and polishes the metal parts of the USB port according to its website at http://www.xsories.com/usb-port-cleaner.html . It only costs $0.99 at Amazon, but cost $8.49 on its site.

The 7 port model with USB 2.0 should be good enough for most stuff. There are 5 white ports, and 2 black ports which are fast charging ports more power hungry devices like Smartphones, and Tablets.

I think USB 2.0 hubs work with USB 3.0 ports. USB 3.0 is better for copying, and pasting files faster if you have a USB 3.0 flash drive, or hard drive. USB 2.0 is fast enough for keyboards, mouse, printer, scanners, and transfering small files like text files, mp3 files, and short videos.

[Skeithex]

I suppose it won't hurt to give the cleaner a try.

And I do need 3.0 for all the music files I transfer often.