USB Hub issues

Muso · 4 Jan 2022 at 09:48

Hi everyone,

I've got a USB Hub/switch which I use to connect my laptop/pc to a webcam, keyboard, printer and mouse.

When I'm using the HUB into the laptop I'm getting devices randomly disconnecting or freezing up, this doesn't happen when connecting to the PC.

Does anyone have any ideas what might be causing this? Could it be that the USB port on the Laptop doesn't have enough power? It's really intermittent and annoying. I don't think it's the HUB as it works fine when plugged into the PC.

Thanks in advance

Terminal_Boy · 4 Jan 2022 at 09:58

Does the hub have its own power supply? I’ve never had good luck with unpowered hubs and laptops.

Muso · 4 Jan 2022 at 09:59

Hi, no it doesn't. So you think it could be a power supply issue?

Terminal_Boy · 4 Jan 2022 at 10:06

Unless it’s an Apple laptop which can supply up to 1 Amp per USB port, I suspect the combined current draw of keyboard, mouse and webcam sometimes exceeds the 500 mA that the USB port can supply.

Muso · 4 Jan 2022 at 10:25

Thanks @Terminal_Boy you must be right then. They keyboard and mouse are both RGB so I've turned the lights off when they are connected to the laptop, I will see if that makes any difference.

Do you think if the PC is turned on it will supply additional power to the switch even when it isn't selected on the swtich? I've noticed that there is a "in 5v" on the hub but I don't have a cable, would that just the same as a mini usb phone cable?