New PC. Front USB 3.0 port only supports 2.0

[EntityNone]

Hello,

I just bought a new pc. Motherboard is the Asus H110I-PLUS. Windows 10 64bit, Home Edition.

I have an issue with one of the USB 3.0 front ports. It only supports 2.0 USB devices. The other one at the front and two at the rear are working just fine, though I'm not so sure if they deliver 3.0 speed, either.

I have two 3.0 devices, and neither of them works with that port.

I think I've checked all the options in UEFI for USB, but there's nothing useful to fix my problem.

The device manager window looks like this (sorry that it's in german):

I wanted to manually download a USB 3.0 driver, but since it's windows 10, everything is (supposedly) installed and there is no windows 10 version of a USB 3.0 driver for my motherboard anyway.

Can anyone help please??

 

[bruceb]

I think on that mobo, there is 1 USB 3.0 header that is then split to feed 2 USB 3.0 Front Panel Connectors .. I would suspect a bad splitter cable or a bad front panel connector since one of the ports is working at the proper USB 3.0 speed. If neither one is working at USB 3.0 then it either a driver issue or a problem coming off the motherboard. Here is a link to all the drivers for your mobo from the Asus web site.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/H110I-PLUS/HelpDesk_Download/

 

[UsandThem]

Even though Windows 10 installs most drivers (some of them generic or much older), you still should install drivers like the chipset, audio, network, etc. specific to your motherboard from Asus's website for the best performance.

You might wan to update your BIOS as well as they just had a new BIOS released on January 5th (system stability).

 

[EntityNone]

I think on that mobo, there is 1 USB 3.0 header that is then split to feed 2 USB 3.0 Front Panel Connectors.

Yes. That is correct.

If neither one is working at USB 3.0 then it either a driver issue or a problem coming off the motherboard. Here is a link to all the drivers for your mobo from the Asus web site...

Since windows 10 is managing all the usb devices with its own drivers and there's no usb 3.0 driver for my motherboard to download, will installing the chipset driver provided on that page eventually fix the problem?

And will updating the uefi fix the problem?

 

[EntityNone]

Even though Windows 10 installs most drivers (some of them generic or much older), you still should install drivers like the chipset, audio, network, etc. specific to your motherboard from Asus's website for the best performance.

You might wan to update your BIOS as well as they just had a new BIOS released on January 5th (system stability).

I heard updating the uefi bios comes with certain risks, and that you can break your system when doing so.

And can I just install new drivers OVER existing ones, without deinstalling them?

 

[UsandThem]

I heard updating the uefi bios comes with certain risks, and that you can break your system when doing so.

And can I just install new drivers OVER existing ones, without deinstalling them?

Just download and install the drivers. Nothing else needed. Although I generally always install the chipset ones first.

Updating the BIOS is simple and safe as long as you:

1. Download the correct one for your motherboard.
2. Follow the directions on screen (and in your user manual). I always flash my BIOS within the UEFI (I don't use motherboard utilities to do it within Windows)......just an old habit that has never failed me.

 

[EntityNone]

Just download and install the drivers. Nothing else needed. Although I generally always install the chipset ones first.

Updating the BIOS is simple and safe as long as you:

1. Download the correct one for your motherboard.
2. Follow the directions on screen (and in your user manual). I always flash my BIOS within the UEFI (I don't use motherboard utilities to do it within Windows)......just an old habit that has never failed me.

Thanks. Will try that later.

 

[EntityNone]

Alright. Installed newest chipset driver, updated bios. Nothing...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, if these are the front-panel ports, and one is working and one is not, and they are both fed off of the same motherboard header / splitter cable going to both ports, then it's a case wiring problem. RMA the case?

 

[bruceb]

Without knowing what type of case this is, specifics can not be provided. I would suggest you get a new Front Panel USB 3.0 panel which will come with the proper cable to plug into the motherboard. They are not expensive and there are many choice here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=Front Panel USB 3&Submit=ENE

 

[EntityNone]

Yeah, if these are the front-panel ports, and one is working and one is not, and they are both fed off of the same motherboard header / splitter cable going to both ports, then it's a case wiring problem. RMA the case?

Thank you. Sounds very plausible. At least now I know what causes the issue.

Though I don't really feel like going through all the hassle with rma.

 

[EntityNone]

Without knowing what type of case this is, specifics can not be provided. I would suggest you get a new Front Panel USB 3.0 panel which will come with the proper cable to plug into the motherboard. They are not expensive and there are many choice here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=Front Panel USB 3&Submit=ENE

It's a BitFenix Colossus M Mini ITX
https://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/chassis/colossus-mini-itx/

 

[bruceb]

Their website does not list the front panel USB cable seperately. Perhaps a phone call or an email to them might get you a new cable or front panel usb connector panel.

 

[EntityNone]

Their website does not list the front panel USB cable seperately. Perhaps a phone call or an email to them might get you a new cable or front panel usb connector panel.

This pc was assembled by the retailer I've bought it from. So if I want something replaced I have to contact them. But as I mentioned in post #11, it's too much of a hassle to rma it. I guess, I'm just gonna leave it then.

I did a test with the front port that works. It has the writing speed of a 3.0. So, I think I'm just gonna use that.

 

[Ketchup]

OK, I would suggest to take a look at it at least. For the versions I see available in the U.S., I see the following:

For the motherboard:
Intel® H110 chipset :
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
Intel® H110 chipset :
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 2 at mid-board)

And for the case:
USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 converter.

So it could be possible, for whatever reason, they used the converter on one of the ports, and plugged in into one of the 2.0 ports on the board. The only way you would know for sure is by looking.

 

[VirtualLarry]

And for the case:
USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 converter.

So it could be possible, for whatever reason, they used the converter on one of the ports, and plugged in into one of the 2.0 ports on the board. The only way you would know for sure is by looking.

That's a good idea. I think most front-panel dual USB3.0 ports are connected to a single header, so that if that header was connected to a USB2.0 converter, then neither one of your USB3.0 ports would work at USB3.0 speeds. However - some cases have a USB3.0 header cable, that ALSO has a USB2.0 connector wire strung off of it. Possibly see if they plugged in BOTH the USB3.0 header, and the USB2.0 header, into the motherboard. As that could screw things up for those ports. (I almost did that on one of my builds.)

 

[EntityNone]

nvm