USB C flash drive doesn't load on my laptop

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danepak

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#323574 17-Dec-2025 09:00

Got myself an HP laptop (HP 15 FC1025AU).This laptop has two USB A ports and one USB C port.

Ideally I would like to use the two USB A ports for other things and then use the USB C port for a USB flash drive.

I therefore got myself a Lexar Dual Drive D400 (32GB) which has both USB A and USB C. The USB A works with no issues, but when I plug the USB C into the USB C port on my laptop, nothing happens. I would have assumed that it would have loaded up the drive in Windows like it does when I use the USB A end.

Lexar® JumpDrive® 32GB /64GB / 128GB Dual Drive D400 USB 3.1 Type-C ...

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#3444846 17-Dec-2025 09:09

Do you have any other USB-C devices you can plug in to check if the USB-C port is working?

Any issues in Device Manager?

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

danepak

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#3444856 17-Dec-2025 09:55

CYaBro:

Do you have any other USB-C devices you can plug in to check if the USB-C port is working?

Any issues in Device Manager?

I’ll give it a go later today. Also, it has the trident icon, so should work.

I guess I can try to charge a phone. Unsure if I have other USB C things to check

Stu

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#3444858 17-Dec-2025 10:09

Merely charging a phone won't test the data side of things. But plugging the phone in you should be able to access the phone's storage.

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gehenna

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#3444886 17-Dec-2025 11:38

Is it a USB-C port or a Thunderbolt port, or maybe just a PD port?? Not all USB-C is created equal. It's kind of dumb and made life worse than it was with USB-A tbh.

CYaBro

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#3444906 17-Dec-2025 12:13

Looking at the specs for that family of laptops and it says this:

(1) USB 3.2 Gen 1.0 Type-C port; 5 Gbps signalling rate (data transfer only; charging or external monitors not supported)

So no reason why that USB drive shouldn't work.

I have some Adata USB drives with both USB A & C plugs on them and they just work regardless of which port you plug them into so yours should too.

Open the Device Manager and check if there's any issues in there and plug in the USB drive and see if anything changes in the Device Manager.

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gehenna

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#3445003 17-Dec-2025 15:20

if you open Disk Management does the USB device appear there? It might just need to be formatted.

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#3445004 17-Dec-2025 15:25

If it works via USB-A then it must already be formatted.

danepak

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#3445023 17-Dec-2025 17:38

OK, I got home and tried to plug the USB-C into the USB-C port on my work laptop. Worked fine.

I then plugged my phone into my new laptop - nothing happens. I also tried the USB-C again - nothing happens.

In regards to Device Manager, as I supposed to look for an error? Sorry if it's a daft question.

ANglEAUT

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#3445026 17-Dec-2025 17:54

danepak: ... In regards to Device Manager, as I supposed to look for an error? Sorry if it's a daft question.

Look for any yellow triangles with exclamation marks, or question marks or other disabled devices. Especially as you plug your USB drive in. Especially at the bottom, under System Devices or USB Bus Controllers.

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danepak

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#3445028 17-Dec-2025 18:06

ANglEAUT:

danepak: ... In regards to Device Manager, as I supposed to look for an error? Sorry if it's a daft question.

Look for any yellow triangles with exclamation marks, or question marks or other disabled devices. Especially as you plug your USB drive in. Especially at the bottom, under System Devices or USB Bus Controllers.

Image thanks to https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterprisedesktop/tip/How-to-manage-Windows-10-device-drivers

I don't see any errors.

Nothing at all happens when I plug it in. It's like the USB port isn't active.

When I plug it in as USB-A, it shows under Disk drives. But it doesn't, when I plyg in as USB-C.

trig42

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#3445124 18-Dec-2025 07:38

It is either a dud USB port, or it's somehow turned off in BIOS.

If you leave the USB-C flash drive connected and reboot into BIOS, does it see it in there (should show as a disk drive in BIOS).

Any options in there (probably under Integrated peripherals or similar) for disabling USB/Thunderbolt ports?

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fe31nz

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#3445492 18-Dec-2025 23:38

You could also try booting a live Linux image and seeing if it will work with that.

Goosey

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#3445496 19-Dec-2025 07:25

You gotta, right click on the system tray icon and click on “eject”.

hahaha, I’m just being cheeky….

good luck.

richms

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#3445506 19-Dec-2025 08:49

I have one drive like that but different brand, and its slightly too short on its USB side to make contact with some ports. Try it thru a hub or something and see if its any better.

Richard rich.ms

gehenna

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#3445511 19-Dec-2025 09:25

That's mind blowing considering USB is supposed to be a consistent standard 🤯

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