Question Fix a USB 3.1 port on motherboard?

[Dave3000]

I own an Asus B550-F Strix Wi-Fi motherboard and frequently my USB 3.1 SSD (an internal SATA SSD inside an aftermarket USB 3.1 enclosure) will disconnected from the rear USB 3.1 (red one) port of my motherboard. When I plug USB devices to that USB port, it doesn't have that "clicky or catchy" feeling when connecting into that USB port and during ones of those times it wasn't detecting the drive and the connector of the cable was loose at slight downward angle and when I lifting the connector of the cable it then detected the external SSD. I tried another USB cable and still the issue is there.

 

[Hotrod2go]

Doesn't AM4 have or had issues with USB detection? I haven't used an AM4 platform for about 2 yrs now but I recall there were discussions all over enthusiasts forums about this issue. Not sure if its still a problem to this day however.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Doesn't AM4 have or had issues with USB detection? I haven't used an AM4 platform for about 2 yrs now but I recall there were discussions all over enthusiasts forums about this issue. Not sure if its still a problem to this day however.

I had the issue with an X370 board and one USB port. On the 4 and 5 series boards I own, zero issues.

This sounds like a physical issue from the description. I'd buy a hub and use it with a functioning port. I'd usually suggest RMA, but it's Asus, so I'd rather star in OW! my balls! before I deal with them. 🤪

 

[Dave3000]

A hub wouldn't be a workaround to the issue if I'm going to connect it to the defective USB port of the motherboard. I also have a USB-C 3.1 port next to the defective USB-A 3.1 port on my motherboard that I can use with my USB 3.1 external SSD as I have a USB-A to USB-C adapter as a workaround if I really to avoid the small performance drop of using a USB 3.0 port instead of a USB 3.1 port. Still I rather not have to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter because that is just one more break point in the connection meaning that one more thing that can potentially go wrong in the connection than having a connection with no adapters, maybe like a USB-C to micro USB 3.1 cable.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Probably really bad advice but I would try to use a really small folded piece of paper on the top of the connector while inserting it, for a more snug fit.

 

[Tech Junky]

Still I rather not have to use a USB-A to USB-C adapter

Then buy a USB card to insert into a PCIE slot and be done with it.

They cheap and if you so desire you could even go with a 2x2 card with speeds up to 20gbps.

https://www.amazon.com/PCI-E3-0-USB3-2-Industrial-Conversion-Expansion/dp/B0BL3GWZZW $15 / single port C

 

[mindless1]

The port probably has little metal springy fingers stamped into the metal surround, you need to cut power, take a needle or dental pick, etc, and bend a bit more spring into them.

If it has more severe physical damage such as contact broken off the motherboard or the plastic insert holding the contacts is broken, then the port would have to be replaced, and it's a bit less common than normal having the stack of the 1 regular -A but then a -C beneath it, but some electronics suppliers like Digikey, Mouser, etc might carry it. You might see if there's a manufacturer's name stamped on it to get a part # from manufacturer's website.

How about those internal USB pin headers on the bottom of the board? Could just get a USB3 pigtail bracket for that?

https://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-Transfer-Motherboard-Computer-KW-PCI2USB3/dp/B00BTYOKXO

 

[Tup3x]

I had the issue with an X370 board and one USB port. On the 4 and 5 series boards I own, zero issues.

This sounds like a physical issue from the description. I'd buy a hub and use it with a functioning port. I'd usually suggest RMA, but it's Asus, so I'd rather star in OW! my balls! before I deal with them. 🤪

I had quite a bit of issues with X570 and 5900. In certain situations keyboard stopped working and I had unplug and plug it in again. That was fixed with latest BIOS. Currently my external HDD sometimes runs really slow and I have to unplug it and try again. Not sure though if it's the enclosure or the motherboard though.