Connecting an external hard drive can turn off all other USB ports.
Connecting an external hard drive can turn off all other USB ports.
She has an old WD external hard drive that she wants to use. It worked fine when plugged in, but the wireless USB mouse stopped working right away and didn't appear in Windows Explorer or Disk Management. Once the drive was unplugged, the mouse reconnected. How can I make the hard drive function correctly again?
You might have to remove it and link it to an internal SATA port or relocate it in another case. If it’s detachable, you’d need to pop it out and check the model number online or by opening it.
USB ports share a single fuse that can reset itself after being triggered. Your device is drawing excessive power, causing the fuse to activate. This problem often appears in older or defective systems where the fuse malfunctions prematurely. It might also stem from poor design. Consider using a different USB port, such as the front ones, which usually operate on separate circuits and fuses.
It's worth checking if your laptop supports direct USB connections for storage devices. Since you're not using a desktop, you might need to explore alternative methods like using a hub or a different adapter setup that fits your current hardware.