Anyone else notice unstable connection to USB devices?

[Darnellmc]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

 

[Votality]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

No problems here

 

[jnjroach]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

When I have seen this it is typically caused by the USB device drawing more power than the port can support, using a powered Hub usually fixes it....

 

[Votality]

When I have seen this it is typically caused by the USB device drawing more power than the port can support, using a powered Hub usually fixes it....

I thought that but doesn't the dock have powered ports?

 

[Darnellmc]

Here's one device I've had consistent issues with, whether connected via dock or directly to the SP4 USB port:
Bengoo USB 3.0 External DVD Drive

The DVD Drive works with no issues, when connected to my Windows 10 Desktop machine. (And this is the 2nd portable DVD Drive I've tried.)

I do have the SP4 connected to power, when I attempt to use the SP4 USB port. I did assume the dock has powered ports. I do have the dock connected to power.

The dock ports are able to power my Android phone with no issues regarding charging the phone. But if I put the phone into Fastboot USB, the SP4 is unable to connect to it using Fastboot commands. That's not something I was going to bother folks here about though, since that gets into issues involving Android device access. But for anyone familiar, I can connect the phone via USB as a storage drive just fine, but soon as I try to go into Fastboot USB, the phone recognizes Fastboot USB, but no fastboot commands from the SP4 work. No issues when doing the same with my Windows 10 Desktop machine.

 

[jnjroach]

I thought that but doesn't the dock have powered ports?

It still has limits on the amperage it can supply....

 

[Darnellmc]

It still has limits on the amperage it can supply....

Thank you, I will have to try a powered USB hub.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

No problems here either. I have two external drives attached with no issues (as of now).
Edit: One of the external drives is an externally powered one though. The other one is a portable HDD (WD Passport).

 

[Darnellmc]

I found one of my old USB Hubs, but it was not working, broken USB Hub. Since I had not tried since the "Anniversary Update", I tried without the SP4 Hub and my portable CD/DVD player worked fine when plugged directly into the SP4. Then I tried with the SP4 Hub and still have connection issues with it. So at least it works directly with the SP4.

I'll have to try with the SP4 Hub when I have a working powered USB Hub.

 

[Darnellmc]

I got a good powered USB Hub and the USB CD/DVD player/burner is working stable, when connected directly to the Surface Pro 4. But when I use the Surface Hub, it does not work. When connected to the Surface Hub, the powered USB Hub lights up and when connection the CD player, the CD Player lights up and opens, but Windows never sees it, even with a CD installed.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

I have noticed this too - mostly before this most recent update (.321 on RP). My SP4 is connected to the dock. Two external HDDs connect to the dock. Often times, the two drives dont show up. But if I wiggle the power chord to the SP4 the drives show up. But after this most recent update, this seems to have worked itself out and the drives show up ok with a little bit (maybe 30 sec) delay.

 

[MikemanSP4]

I've had my SP4 since shortly after initial product launch. And since day 1, devices connected either via the SP4 USB port or even the dock USB ports, have always been unstable. The connection works and then disconnects and comes back again, back and forth. But pretty much to a point of the USB devices being useless with the SP4.

I've got other machines, so this has never been a major issue for me. I just use my other machines for things like CD/DVD and other USB device needs.

But has anyone else noticed USB device connection stability issues with their SP4? It really surprises me, that the issues are with both the SP4 USB port and even the dock's USB ports. My mouse and keyboard work fine with the dock's USB ports. But everything else, such as CD/DVD player, card readers and portable storage devices, all have issues with all USB connections to my SP4, either via the device its self or the docking station. And since those same USB devices work fine with my other machines, I know they're not faulty.

Not a single issue with my USB Port at all......... One thing you might want to do is........ Download the latest Surface Pro 4 Drivers and un / re-install them. This has taken care of SO MANY issues over the past year it's pathetic. Sometimes updates, or even a faulty USB Device can corrupt the USB (or any device) Drivers. A uninstall / re-install will clear these issues right up. Here is the link for the latest and greatest SP4 Drivers - Please let me know if this helped you at all.

Download Surface Pro 4 Drivers and Firmware from Official Microsoft Download Center