HELP with USB-A on windows

Framework Laptop 16
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Hi.

From what I read, this forum is not exactly for help, but I will try anyways in case someone else comes here in the future because they experience the same problem.

I am losing my mind trying to solve a problem with a usb drive (exFAT in windows). Whenever i plug it in, the connect sound plays, and then the disconnect follows instantly, and it just keeps repeating.

I have a framework 16 with a ryzen ai 7 350 CPU and an NVIDIA 570 GPU module. Bios version 3.05. I have two usb-A expansion cards, both placed in the ports which are closest to the user (as per framework’s specifications).

In linux, the usb-A ports give me no problem. In windows, the left usb port constantly connects and disconnects my exFAT usb drive. The right usb port works correctly in windows. The left one, when connecting an NTFS usb drive, doesn’t act weirdly either. I have exchanged the expansion cards with each other, and the problem still only exists on the left side. However, when connecting a hub with a usb-c connector (i exchanged the USB-A expansion card with a usb-c expansion card, which also had the same connect disconnect problem when the usb drive was plugged into it without a hub), and then connecting the usb drive to the hub, the problem did not occur. Although, when disconnecting the hub, the disconnect sound that windows makes played twice.

As I said, I have tried placing a different USB-A expansion card, and a different USB-C expansion card, in the left port that is closest to the user. The problem persisted. I have also tried unchecking the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” for all the USB root hubs (USB3.0), and setting the link state power management for the PCI express to off on both battery and plugged in. Also, I tried disconnecting the battery from BIOS, and then waiting 2 minutes before booting up again. I also ran the framework driver bundle installer again.

I cannot pinpoint an exact cause for the issue. It started about two weeks ago, seemingly out of the blue (maybe I updated the bios to version 3.05 around that time, but I’m not sure). I have not given it much importance because i have been using linux, but it is starting to really bother me. The expansion card and internals work fine with anything apparently, EXCEPT for this exFAT drive specifically (in Windows).

Lastly, the port works fine in Linux, the problem only occurs across two instances of Windows 11 LTSC (each one on a different SSD). Also, the first time it happened, I believe there was an error code displayed on the led on the left side of the computer, but I didnt cacth all of it, and it only happened that one time from what I can gather.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

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Port 3 and 6 have less power rating (4.5W), which can be less than the power draw of your USB drive, try swapping to port 1-4

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I did swap the USB-A card with an USB-C card, and it did not work, which might indicate that the problem is the power. However, port 6 (the one on the right, which is also a USB-A card in my case) works well. I imagine both ports 3 and 6 have the same amount of power draw.

Also, I kept reading on this forum and it turns out that if I dont push the drive all the way in, and instead leave it halfway in, it works as it should (on the left port).

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USB-A 3.0/3.1/3.2 has 4 pins for USB2.0 and 5 shorter pins for upping the speed to 3.0. If you only push the drive half in it’ll run at USB 2.0 speed. Running at slower speeds will likely reduce the power draw from the computer

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Well that does make sense, but it doesnt explain why port 6 still works well. From what I read, the port “mamagers” or remitters are differemt for the left side and the right side, so I suppose that has something to do with it.

In any case, if it can work well om the right, I would like to get it to work well on the left as well, without changing the port config. If it turns out there is no solution, I could reconfigure I suppose. I created a support ticket, so it all comes down to what the support team tells me. Thanks for your help though.

6

You are saying that it works fine using Linux and appears to be a Windows 11 problem.

Try these:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
  3. Right-click on USB Root Hub (or similar, like “Generic USB Hub”) and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  6. Click OK.

Also:

If you are on a laptop, Windows 11 may be cutting power to save battery.

  1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > USB.

  2. Set USB battery saver (stop USB devices when screen is off) to OFF.

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