USB Disconnecting During Large File Transfers? Here’s How to Fix It!

If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of your USB device randomly disconnecting while transferring large files, you’re not alone. Many users face this issue when trying to move files between their PC and external devices like USB drives, external hard drives, or even smartphones. What starts as a simple file transfer can turn into a headache when your device disconnects mid-transfer, corrupting files and forcing you to start over. But don’t worry — in this guide, we’ll explain why this happens and offer step-by-step solutions to fix it for good.

There are several potential causes for this issue, ranging from power supply problems to faulty drivers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common reasons:

1. Power Management Settings:
   By default, many PCs are configured to save power by turning off USB devices when they’re not in use or during high-energy operations, such as transferring large files.
2. USB Port Overload or Power Shortage:
   Some USB ports, particularly those on laptops, may not provide enough power to handle large file transfers. External devices like hard drives or smartphones often require more power than smaller devices such as USB sticks.
3. Faulty or Corrupted USB Drivers:
   Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the USB connection to drop, especially during data-heavy tasks like transferring large files.
4. File System Incompatibility or Corruption:
   Sometimes, issues with the external storage device’s file system (e.g., FAT32, NTFS) can cause interruptions during transfers. This is particularly common with older devices or drives with corrupted sectors.
5. USB Device Failing or Overheating:
   Continuous large file transfers can cause a poorly made USB drive to overheat or malfunction, leading to random disconnections.
6. Interference from Other Programs or Devices:
   Other running processes or connected devices may interfere with the data transfer, especially if they are using the same USB hub or bandwidth.

Now that we know some of the main reasons why this happens, let’s explore solutions to each potential cause. Try these steps one by one to fix the problem.

1. Disable USB Selective Suspend Setting

Windows has a power-saving feature called “USB Selective Suspend” that may cause the system to turn off your USB ports, especially during high-energy tasks like transferring large files. Disabling this feature can help.

Steps to Disable USB Selective Suspend:

• Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
• Click on Change plan settings next to your active power plan.
• Select Change advanced power settings.

Advanced Windows Power Options on Control Panel

• Expand USB Settings and then USB selective suspend setting.

USB Selective Suspend Settings

• Set it to Disabled for both battery and plugged-in modes.
• Apply the settings and restart your PC.

2. Update or Reinstall USB Drivers

Faulty or outdated USB drivers can cause instability during large file transfers. Updating or reinstalling these drivers may resolve the problem.

Steps to Update USB Drivers:

• Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
• Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.

Device Manager USB Reinstall Drivers

• Right-click each USB Root Hub and select Update driver.
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.

If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling the driver and restarting your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the correct drivers after a reboot.

3. Ensure USB Devices Get Enough Power

Some USB ports, particularly on laptops, may not provide enough power to handle large file transfers. To ensure enough power:

• Use USB Ports Directly Connected to Your Motherboard:
  Always plug high-power devices (like external HDDs or phones) into USB ports on the back of the PC, as they typically provide more stable power.
• Use a Powered USB Hub:
  If you’re connecting multiple devices, consider using a powered USB hub that supplies additional power to each device.

4. Check for File System Corruption

Corrupted or incompatible file systems can lead to disconnections during transfers. For instance, FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB. If you’re trying to transfer a file larger than that, it may cause errors.

Steps to Check and Repair File System:

• Right-click the external drive in File Explorer and select Properties.
• Go to the Tools tab and under Error-checking, click Check.
• Follow the prompts to scan and repair any file system issues.

If your device uses the FAT32 file system and you need to transfer larger files, consider converting it to NTFS, which supports larger file sizes.

5. Test for Device Overheating or Failing Hardware

Sometimes the device itself may be faulty or overheating. USB drives or external hard drives may have trouble with large file transfers due to internal heat buildup.

• Try a Different USB Drive or External HDD:
  Test the file transfer using a different device to rule out issues with your current one.
• Avoid Prolonged Use:
  If the USB drive gets too hot, give it some time to cool down between transfers, especially when moving large files.

6. Scan for Malware or Background Interference

Sometimes, malware or background processes can interrupt file transfers by hogging system resources or corrupting files.

Steps to Check for Malware:

• Run a full system scan with your antivirus software or use a trusted anti-malware program like Malwarebytes.
• Close unnecessary programs or background tasks (use Task Manager) to free up system resources during transfers.

Bonus Tips for Successful File Transfers

• Break Large Files into Smaller Pieces:
  If the issue persists, try splitting large files into smaller chunks using file compression software like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
• Use a Different Cable or Port:
  Sometimes the issue may be with a faulty USB cable or port. Swap cables or try a different USB port to see if the problem persists.
• Try a Different File Transfer Method:
  If you’re transferring files between a PC and a phone, consider using wireless transfer methods such as Wi-Fi Direct or cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Got more USB or tech-related questions? Leave a comment below and we’ll help you sort it out!