How to Fix Slow USB Transfer Speeds on Windows
Category: Troubleshooting
Slow USB transfer speeds can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're trying to move large files or back up important data. Whether you’re using USB 2.0 or the faster USB 3.0/3.1 standard, unexpected slowdowns can make file transfers painfully slow. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons behind slow USB transfer speeds on Windows and how to fix them effectively.
1. Understanding USB Transfer Speeds
USB transfer speeds vary based on the USB version and the device capabilities:
- USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mbps (60 MB/s).
- USB 3.0: Up to 5 Gbps (625 MB/s).
- USB 3.1: Up to 10 Gbps (1250 MB/s).
- USB 3.2 and USB-C: Up to 20 Gbps (2500 MB/s).
However, real-world speeds are often lower due to factors like drive health, cable quality, and system configuration.
2. Check Your USB Port and Cable
One of the most common reasons for slow transfer speeds is using the wrong port or a faulty cable:
- Ensure you are using a USB 3.0 or higher port (usually colored blue).
- Replace the USB cable with a certified high-speed one.
- Connect directly to the PC rather than through a USB hub.
3. Update USB Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers can significantly affect USB performance. Follow these steps to update your drivers:
1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers".
3. Right-click on your USB device and select "Update driver".
4. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".
5. Restart your computer after updating.
4. Change USB Transfer Settings
Changing transfer settings to “Better Performance” can improve speed:
1. Open Device Manager and expand "Disk drives".
2. Right-click your USB drive and select "Properties".
3. Go to the "Policies" tab.
4. Select "Better performance" and check "Enable write caching on the device".
5. Click OK to apply changes.
5. Format the USB Drive to NTFS or exFAT
FAT32 is slower and has a file size limit of 4 GB. Switching to NTFS or exFAT can improve performance:
1. Right-click your USB drive in File Explorer and select "Format".
2. Choose NTFS or exFAT from the file system dropdown.
3. Click "Start" to begin formatting.
6. Run Disk Cleanup
Accumulated temporary files and junk data can slow down USB performance:
1. Open Disk Cleanup by typing "disk cleanup" in the Start menu.
2. Select your USB drive and click OK.
3. Check the boxes for temporary files and junk data.
4. Click OK and confirm deletion.
7. Disable USB Selective Suspend
Disabling USB selective suspend can prevent the system from pausing USB devices:
1. Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
2. Click on "Change plan settings" for your active plan.
3. Go to "Change advanced power settings".
4. Expand "USB settings" and set "USB selective suspend setting" to "Disabled".
5. Click Apply and OK.
8. Troubleshooting Slow Transfer Issues
If your USB transfer speeds remain slow, try the following additional tips:
- Test the USB device on another computer to rule out hardware issues.
- Scan the USB drive for errors using the Check Disk tool.
- Run a malware scan to ensure that malicious software is not affecting performance.
Conclusion
Slow USB transfer speeds can be a real headache, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can significantly boost data transfer rates and enhance overall performance. Regular maintenance and keeping drivers up to date can help maintain optimal USB speed. For more tips and official troubleshooting steps, visit the Microsoft Support page.