If you see the internal/external HDD, SSD or USB removable disk showing 'unknown device' in device manager, try to disable USB selective suspend setting or update necessary drivers by the instruction on this page. In case you wish to recover data from unknown device hard drives, we recommend EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for you.

Unknown Devices helps find unknown devices and figure out what they really are. Tips: - Press F3 to search the selected text on the internet. (Ctrl-F3 to search without the '+drivers') - Press F2 or Ctrl-C to copy selected to clipboard - Using an item under Full Details for a websearch will likely give you better results Limitations. Download driver USB Unknown Device version 5.1.2600.0 for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64). Have an unknown device? If you have re-installed windows or plugged in a device that isn't working this tutorial will help you find device information and drivers.

Here on this page, you'll learn four effective ways to fix an unknown device, and powerful hard drive recovery software to recover inaccessible data.

Why Hard Drive Shows as Unknown Device

• HP PCs - HP 3D DriveGuard Is Displayed as an Unknown Device (ACPI HPQ0004 or ACPI HPQ6007) After Upgrade to Windows 10 Has Completed After an upgrade from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 to Windows 10 is completed, the HP 3D DriveGuard driver is displayed as an unknown device.
• If you’ve just installed Windows and the Device Manager is loaded with “Unknown devices” or “Other devices” that are in an error state or without any drivers installed, don’t fret!

What is 'unknown device'? An unknown device is a device name listed in the Windows Device Manager for any device Windows is unable to identify or does not have the drivers used to identify the device.

Literally, the HDD/SSD/USB 'Unknown Device' in Device Manager displays itself as disk unknown not initialized in Disk Management. When a storage device was recognized by Windows in this way, sorry, it's neither readable nor accessible along with all the data.

'Unknown device' is a common issue happened to a lot of users, and the following reasons may account for the problem:

• Insufficient power supply because of USB selective suspend setting is enabled.
• Driver issues associated with the currently loaded internal/external storage drive, USB controllers, or the computer motherboard.

How to Fix Unknown Device in Windows 10/8.1/8/7

In fact, the 'Unknown Device' is a very common error that most of us would face once or twice, so you are not alone. No matter it is an internal hard drive, HDD, SSD or an external USB flash drive, follow the advice of troubleshooting, and you will hopefully get over with it.

Fix 1. Disable USB selective suspend setting

Step 1: In Windows 10/8.1/8/7, press Windows + R keys to bring up the Run box, type control and hit enter. The Windows Control Panel is open.

Step 2: Find 'Power Options' and click it.

Step 3: In your own power plan, click 'Change plan settings'.

Step 4: Click 'Change advanced power settings'.

Step 5: Expand 'USB settings' and then 'USB selective suspend setting', click the 'Setting' and turn the default 'Enabled' to 'Disabled'.

Step 6: Click 'Apply' to save changes.

Fix 2. Uninstall and update the hard drive driver

Step 1: In Device Manager, navigate to the hard drive showing 'Unknown device' (Usually it's under 'Other device').

Step 2: Right-click on it and choose 'Uninstall'.

Step 3: After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the external drive.

Step 4: After a while, reconnect it to the computer.

Step 5: Windows will automatically install and load the driver this time. Go to check if the USB drive shows up in Windows Explorer.

Fix 3. Reinstall USB controllers

Step 1: In Device Manager, expand 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers'.

Step 2: Right-click on the unknown USB Device and select 'Uninstall'. Wait until it completes.

Download kodak sound cards & media devices driver windows 7. Step 3: Restart your computer. The USB controllers will automatically install. Go to check if the USB drive shows up in Windows Explorer.

Fix 4. Update the motherboard chipset drivers

Step 1: In your computer's documentation, find the name of the motherboard manufacturer. It's important for you to search for a matched driver.

Step 2: Visit the manufacturer's support website and find the appropriate driver for your motherboard. You can also reach a support guy for further help.

Unknown Device Driver Dell

How to Recover Data from Unknown Device HDD/SSD/USB Hard Drive

Hard drive data recovery is never a hard topic for modern computer users. There are so many third-party data recovery utilities capable to help.

To restore data from the unknown device, you have two choices. One, fix the Unknown Device so that Windows can read it again, as the above part taught. Two, send the disk drive to nearby data recovery companies, let the professionals do a manual hard drive data recovery.

>> You may be interested in hard drive data recovery cost.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is dependable, powerful and easy-to-use data recovery software that worth a try. When you lost access to a local hard drive or an external USB drive, do not hesitate to run the software to scan and display all the hard drive data for you. The overall steps are as follows.

Step 1. Select and scan hard drive.

On EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, select the drive where you lose your data and click 'Scan'. Wait patiently until this program finishes the scanning, it will find all your lost data on the drive.

Step 2. Find and preview found files on the selected drive. Simpletech driver download for windows 10.

Check 'Deleted Files', 'Lost Files' or use 'Filter', 'Search' to find the lost files on the selected hard drive. You can double-click to open and check the found files.

Step 3. Recover and save lost hard drive data.

Select all found lost hard drive files, click 'Recover' and browse another secure location to save them. Click 'OK' to confirm and finish the recovery process.

This issue is caused when Microsoft Windows does not properly detect the chipset or videodisplay.

Unknown Device Driver Error

Corrupt or missing motherboard or chipset drivers

Download and install the latest chipset and video card drivers. If you or someone you know built your computer, it came with the motherboard CD. This CD contains the chipset drivers. Otherwise, you can find drivers for all the major chipsets on our motherboard drivers page.

Corrupt or missing video card drivers

If installing the latest chipset or motherboard drivers doesn't resolve your issue, make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your video card. For a listing of video card drivers, see our video card drivers page.

Unknown Device Driver Finder

Other PCI device that Windows cannot identify

If you tried the above two steps and your Windows Device Manager still contains an Unknown PCI device, likely the device cannot be identified.

If you that the device not being identified is installed, we suggest you obtain the latest drivers for that device. A listing of drivers is on our drivers page.

If you have recently finished installing or reinstalling Windows onto the computer and are getting the unknown PCI device, we suggest you manually identify the PCI device through the registry.

Additional information

Unknown Device Driver Dell

• See the PCI and drivers definition for further information and related links.