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Device Descriptor Request Failed on Windows 11 [Fix]

All you need to know about Unknown USB device (device descriptor request failed) in Windows 11

5 min. read

Updated onJuly 15, 2024

updated onJuly 15, 2024

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We all know how handy it is to have aUSB driveor stick to transfer our data between two devices.

They are so convenient and easy to use that it’s our first choice for the job but sometimes, the system doesn’t recognize your USB device and the story could end right there.

Many of our readers received theUSB device not recognizedmessage and when they checked Device Manager, they encountered a device listed as Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed).

Some of our readers also received the messageA request for the USB Device Descriptor Failedaccompanied by the error code 43.

Obviously, Windows didn’t identify the device. Don’t worry because we can fix this easily but first, let’s see why this is happening in Windows 11.

What causes device descriptor request failed?

This is a problem that may occur on all Windows OSs and doesn’t refer strictly to Windows 11.

There are multiple reasons for this error, but it has two main causes:outdated or corrupted driversandhardware malfunctioning.

Also, if you have a USB 1.0 old device, the system probably didn’t find a driver for it. The issue may be also produced by system corruption but it’s less likely.

How do I fix device descriptor request failed Windows 11?

1. Enable the Enhanced Power Management

This valuable solution can be the way to fix this request failed error for your removable devices in a few clicks. Thus, carefully apply the steps below to repair the USB issues.

Click theSearchicon on the taskbar, typedevice manager, and click on the app from the results.
Go to theUSB controllerssection, right click the problematic driver and selectProperties.
Navigate to theDetailstab, selectDevice instance pathand in theValuesection, highlight the value, right-click it and selectCopy.
Now, press theWindowskey +Rto startRun, typeregeditand pressEnteror clickOK.
Navigate to the following path and replace by pasting the actual path you copied in step 3:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum<device instant path>\Device Parameters
In the right pane, right-click and selectNewand selectDWORD Valueand name itEnhancedPowerManagementEnabled.
Double-click the new key and set theValue datato0, then clickOK.
Now, close Registry Editor, unplug the USB device and reboot the PC.
After restart, connect the USB device and the issue should be resolved.

2. Update USB device drivers

Windows should now scan and install the latest driver version for your USB device. Sometimes, however, it may not be able to detect the best version, in which case we recommend you use a dedicated driver updater.

To update your USB drivers automatically, without much hassle, we suggest you use aspecialized driver updateras it is one of the simplest and most reliable options.

These tools can scan your PC and detect any driver problems. It gives you a quick report and updates and repairs all of your drivers in just a few minutes.

3. Use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

The Hardware and Devices app was removed from the troubleshooting settings a long time ago by Microsoft but you can still run it, even on Windows 11.

And as you can see, it can be pretty effective in this kind of situation when the USB device is not recognized by the system.

4. Uninstall the device

If the USB device is older but it came with its own dedicated driver, use that software to install your device properly.

You may also try visiting the manufacturer’s website and see if it provides the proper drivers for your system.

How can I avoid the Device Descriptor Request Failed error?

This is a common problem that may occur any time you plug in a new USB device to your PC, but there are a couple of things you can do to prevent it.

➡Connect the device directly to the PC

We know that a PC or laptop never has enough USB ports to go with all your devices and sometimes it’s necessary to use USB extenders or hubs.

However, these can often malfunction or not be compatible so it’s important to connect your USB device directly to an empty port on your machine.

➡Use the correct port

Although USB ports are backward compatible, your device, especially if it’s very new or very old, may not be so adaptive.

That’s why you should try connecting your gadget to the right socket so it can be recognized quickly and function properly.

➡Change the port

Although it doesn’t happen that often, USB ports can malfunction sometimes, or maybe they just accumulated some dust and cannot ensure the proper contact.

So, the right thing to do, apart from trying to gently clean the port and connector with a soft brush, is to try plugging your device into another one and see what happens.

But if that’s the case, read our article onwhat to do if the USB ports are not workingand solve this issue right away.

That being said, we conclude our guide on how to fix the Device Descriptor Request Failed issue in Windows 11. You can find out more in our article aboutUSB Device Descriptor Failure error in Windows 10/11.

We hope that our solutions helped you fix this problem and now you can use the USB device as it was intended.

If you have any suggestions or other helpful solutions, don’t hesitate to leave us a note in the comments section below.

Device Descriptor Request Failed on Windows 11 [Fix]#

What causes device descriptor request failed?#

How do I fix device descriptor request failed Windows 11?#

1. Enable the Enhanced Power Management#

2. Update USB device drivers#

3. Use the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter#

4. Uninstall the device#

How can I avoid the Device Descriptor Request Failed error?#