USB cables (or Universal Serial Bus cables) were designed to make connecting devices to your computer easier. Today there are many types of devices that can be connected to your computer using USB cables: printers, keyboards, mice, external hard drives, iPods and cell phones just to name a few. Problems with USB devices can make for a frustrating experience, but many problems can be attributed to problems with the USB cables themselves, not the devices. Here are the three most common problems that can occur with USB cables.
Problem #1: Not Connected Properly
This may sound too easy, but many problems with USB cables occur because they are not plugged in correctly. USB cables don't snap into place like phone cords or networking cables, so when you plug a USB cable in, it may not have connected properly. If you're having a problem with a USB device, the first thing to do is check the cables on both ends and make sure the USB cable is correctly inserted.
Problem #2: Wire Damage
Another common problem with USB cables occurs when the wires inside the cable are damaged. This can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe a pet chewed on a USB cable and damaged the wires. Alternatively, if a cable is unplugged from the socket over and over again by pulling on the cable rather than the connector, the cable can be pulled out of place causing the connection to be lost.
Problem #3: Wrong Speed
USB cables come in two forms: high speed (or USB 2.0) and low speed (or USB 1.1 or 1.0). USB 1.1 cables only run at speeds of 12 mbs (megabits per second) while USB 2.0 cables can run at 400 mbs. That's quite a difference! Visually there is no difference between the two, so it's easy to mistake a low speed USB cable for a high speed one. If your USB is designed to run at a certain speed, it's important to use the correct cable. While your device may work using the wrong type of USB cable, it may operate slower than it's supposed to. In some cases, it may not even work at all!
Nothing is more frustrating when something doesn't work the way you expect it to. USB devices are the same way. However, before you consider there is something wrong with the device itself, check the USB cable. Always check to see if the device is plugged in properly before attempting anything else. You'd be surprised how many times that solves your problem! If that doesn't work, and you suspect the USB cable is still the problem, try connecting the device to your computer using a different USB cable. Alternatively, you can connect a USB device that you know is working properly to your computer using the USB cable you suspect is not working properly. If the new cable works and the old one does not, then you may be dealing with a USB cable problem.
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