How to Fix Unknown USB Device Set Address Failed on Windows

What Is the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) Error?

When you connect a USB device to your PC, the system assigns it a unique address so it can properly identify and communicate with it. This address is essential for starting data transfer between the computer and the device.

If Windows fails to assign this identifier correctly, the communication process cannot begin, which results in the “Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed)” error, often accompanied by Code 43.

How to Recover Data from a USB Device with Set Address Failed Error?

When encountering the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error, one of the biggest concerns is losing access to important data stored on the USB device. In some cases, the issue may be caused by system conflicts, driver failures, or even malware interference, making files inaccessible or unreadable.

In such situations, using a reliable data recovery tool is essential. 4DDiG Data Recovery is designed to recover lost or inaccessible data from USB drives and other storage devices with ease.

It supports a wide range of devices, including USB flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and more, and can handle various data loss scenarios such as corruption, formatting, or system errors that may make your USB not showing up.

With its intuitive interface and advanced scanning technology, 4DDiG allows users to quickly scan the affected device, preview recoverable files, and restore them in just a few steps—even if the USB device is not functioning properly.

• Open the program and plug in the USB drive with the error. Select it once it appears in the list.

  

• 4DDiG will start scanning your USB drive. And it will run both quick and deep scans to find lost or inaccessible files. Feel free to pause or stop the scan at any point during the process.

  

• After scanning, use Filter or Search to locate needed files. Preview them to make sure they're recoverable, then click "Recover" once you've decided what files to recover.

  

• When prompted, save the files to a different drive (not the USB where the data was initially lost) to avoid overwriting data.

  

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How to Fix Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) Error?

Now that we've covered data recovery, let's move on to nine effective ways to fix the "Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) Code 43" error. You can try the following fixes on Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier versions of the operating system.

Way 1: Disconnect Your Charger

If you're using a laptop, try disconnecting the USB device, unplugging the charger and then reconnecting your USB device. During the USB initialization process, also the "Set Address" stage, the system is sensitive to power stability.

So when some chargers—especially non-original ones cause voltage fluctuations or interference, Windows may fail to properly initialize the device, triggering the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error.

Way 2: Change Power Option Settings

USB ports need consistent power to properly initialize and maintain communication. If power settings are misconfigured, Windows may fail to recognize the device, leading to the "Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed)" error.

On laptops, this issue is more common due to power-saving features. When the battery is low (e.g., around 20%), the system may limit or suspend USB activity to save power. Even when plugged in, a low battery can still affect USB initialization and trigger the error. Follow these steps to check and adjust your power settings:

• Open the Control Panel and go to "Hardware and Sound > Power Options".
• Select your current power plan and click "Change plan settings".
• Click "Change advanced power settings".
• In the new window, expand "USB settings > USB selective suspend setting".
• Set both On battery and Plugged in to "Disabled", then click Apply and OK.

Way 3: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a Windows feature that speeds up boot time by saving part of the system state instead of performing a full shutdown. As a result, drivers and system changes may not be fully reloaded on the next startup.

This can prevent recent updates or fixes from taking effect and may lead to USB recognition issues, including the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error. So, disabling it ensures the system performs a full shutdown each time, allowing all drivers and settings to load properly. Follow these steps to turn off Fast Startup:

• Open the Control Panel and go to "Hardware and Sound > Power Options".
• Click "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left.
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable".
• Under Shutdown settings, find Turn on fast startup (recommended).
• Uncheck the option and click "Save changes".
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Way 4: Update USB Drivers

Outdated or incompatible USB drivers are a common cause of the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error. Therefore, keeping your USB drivers up to date is essential for stable device performance and proper recognition. Follow the steps below to update your USB drivers and potentially resolve the issue.

• Plug in your USB device, then go to "This PC > Properties > Device Manager".
• In the Device Manager window, find and expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" category.
• Look for the USB device that is encountering the set address failure. Right-click on it and select "Update driver" from the menu. (If not, try the Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller)
• Choose the option to "Search automatically for drivers."
• Windows will initiate a search for the latest driver software online.
• If a newer driver is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
• After updating the driver, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Way 5: Uninstall and Reinstall the Device

Updating drivers may not always fix the issue, especially if they are corrupted or incorrectly installed. In such cases, removing the device from the system allows Windows to clear the faulty configuration and reinstall a clean driver automatically, which can help fix the USB issue.

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• Locate Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed). If not, try the Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller.
• Right-click the device and select "Uninstall device".
• Confirm the action and disconnect the USB device.
• Restart your computer, then reconnect the USB device and let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.

Your computer will reinstall the USB driver automatically, and the yellow warning icon should disappear. To check, right-click the USB device, select Properties, and look at the status in the General tab. It should say "This device is working properly." If not, try the next method.

Way 6: Scan for Hardware Changes

Scanning for hardware changes prompts Windows to detect and reconfigure connected devices, which can help resolve the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error. It is especially useful after uninstalling a USB device, as it allows the system to reinstall the driver and recognize the device again. Follow the steps below to scan your PC for hardware changes.

• Press Windows + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the list.
• In Device Manager, click Action from the top menu, then select "Scan for hardware changes".
• The system will initiate a scan for any changes in hardware configurations.
• After the scan, check under Universal Serial Bus controllers for any unknown devices or warning icons.

Way 7: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters

If the issue still persists, you can try using Windows' built-in troubleshooting tools to detect and fix common hardware-related problems automatically. This method requires using a command, but it's still not difficult to perform.

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and press Enter.
• In the Hardware and Devices window, click "Next".
• Wait while Windows scans for hardware issues., then follow any on-screen instructions to apply recommended fixes.
• Restart your computer if prompted.

Whether you use Windows 10 or 11, this method can help detect and troubleshoot any hardware-related issues, so just wait for it to finish.

Way 8: Update BIOS

If the issue persists after trying the methods above, it may be related to low-level system compatibility. Updating the BIOS can improve how your system communicates with USB hardware and resolve underlying conflicts.

• Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and check your System Model.
• Go to your device or motherboard manufacturer's official website and open the Support/Downloads section.
• Search for your model and download the latest BIOS/UEFI update.
• Close all running programs and ensure your device is connected to a stable power source.
• Run the BIOS update tool or copy the BIOS file to a USB drive if required.
• Follow the instructions to complete the update (do not turn off your PC during the process).
• Restart your computer after the update is complete.

Way 9: Turn Off BitLocker Encryption

BitLocker is a Windows encryption feature designed to protect your data. However, it typically does not cause the Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error, since this issue occurs before the system can recognize the device.

That said, if your USB drive is already detected but inaccessible, temporarily disabling BitLocker can help rule out encryption-related access issues. Follow the steps below to turn off BitLocker encryption.

• Press Windows + S, type BitLocker, and open Manage BitLocker.
• In the BitLocker window, locate the encrypted drive.
• Click "Turn off BitLocker" next to the drive, then confirm the action.
• Wait for Windows to decrypt the drive (this may take some time).
• Once completed, reconnect your USB device and check if the issue is resolved.

FAQ

Q1: How do I fix an unknown USB device?

To fix an unknown USB device, try reconnecting the device, using a different USB port, restarting your PC, and updating or reinstalling USB drivers in Device Manager. Also check power settings and disable USB selective suspend.

Q2: What to try when your USB device is unknown?

Start with basic checks: switch ports (USB 2.0/3.0), test on another computer, and remove other USB devices. Then update drivers, scan for hardware changes, or adjust power settings.

Q3: How do I fix an unrecognized USB device?

Uninstall the device from Device Manager and reconnect it to let Windows reinstall the driver. You can also update drivers and turn off Fast Startup to avoid system conflicts.

Q4: How do I fix a USB port reset request that failed?

Update or reinstall USB controller drivers, disable power-saving options (like USB selective suspend), and try a different port. If the issue persists, check for BIOS updates or possible hardware faults.

Conclusion

The Unknown USB Device (Set Address Failed) error is usually fixable with the right approach. By applying practical solutions, such as adjusting power settings, updating drivers, disabling Fast Startup, and refreshing hardware detection, you can restore normal USB functionality.

If important data becomes inaccessible, tools like Tenorshare 4DDiG can help retrieve your files safely. With these methods, you can effectively resolve the issue and keep your USB devices working smoothly.