What to Do When Your GL850G USB Chip Stops Working

What to Do When Your GL850G USB Chip Stops Working: Troubleshooting and Solutions

The GL850G is a popular USB hub controller chip, commonly used to expand the number of USB ports on devices. However, like any hardware component, it can encounter issues that prevent it from working properly. If your GL850G USB chip stops working, don’t worry! Below, we’ll break down the possible causes of the failure and guide you through troubleshooting and resolving the issue step by step.

Common Causes of GL850G USB Chip Failure Driver Issues The most common cause of USB chip failure is corrupted or outdated Drivers . If the Drivers installed on your system are incompatible or not up-to-date, the chip may fail to function correctly. Hardware Failure Like any physical component, the GL850G chip may suffer from wear and tear or manufacturing defects, leading to a complete hardware failure. If the chip is physically damaged, it will not work. Power Supply Problems USB hubs rely on sufficient power to operate. If the connected devices draw too much power or if there’s a power supply issue, it could cause the GL850G chip to stop functioning. Conflict with Other USB Devices Sometimes, other USB devices or peripherals connected to your computer may conflict with the GL850G chip, preventing it from working properly. Faulty USB Cable or Port The issue might not be with the chip itself but rather with the USB cable or port you are using. A damaged cable or malfunctioning USB port can prevent communication with the chip. Step-by-Step Solutions

Step 1: Check the USB Cable and Port

What to Do: Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the GL850G chip and your computer. Try a different USB cable and use a different USB port on your computer to rule out faulty hardware. Why It Works: A simple cable or port issue can be the root cause of the failure. If the chip works with a different cable or port, the problem is likely a faulty connection.

Step 2: Update or Reinstall the USB Drivers

What to Do: Open Device Manager on your PC. Locate the GL850G USB chip under "Universal Serial Bus controllers." Right-click and select Update Driver. If no update is found, try selecting Uninstall Device, then restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the correct drivers. Why It Works: Corrupted or outdated drivers are one of the main causes of USB issues. Updating or reinstalling drivers can resolve many problems.

Step 3: Power Management Settings

What to Do: In Device Manager, locate the USB hub controller (GL850G) and right-click it. Go to Properties > Power Management . Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." Click OK and restart your system. Why It Works: Sometimes, power-saving features can cause USB chips to stop functioning. Disabling this feature ensures your USB ports are always powered.

Step 4: Check for Conflicting USB Devices

What to Do: Disconnect all other USB devices and restart your computer. Reconnect the GL850G USB chip alone to see if it works. If it does, reconnect other devices one by one to identify the conflict. Why It Works: Conflicts between devices sharing the same USB bandwidth can cause one or more devices to stop functioning. Isolating the GL850G can help identify if another device is causing the issue.

Step 5: Test the Chip on Another System

What to Do: If possible, connect the GL850G USB chip to another computer. If the issue persists, the problem is likely with the chip itself. Why It Works: This can help you determine if the problem is related to your computer or the USB chip itself.

Step 6: Inspect for Physical Damage

What to Do: Carefully examine the GL850G chip for any visible signs of physical damage, such as burnt or broken components. Why It Works: If the chip is physically damaged, it will need to be replaced. If there’s no visible damage, consider trying the chip in a different device to see if it works.

Step 7: Try a Different Power Supply (for Hubs)

What to Do: If you are using a USB hub with the GL850G chip, try switching to a powered hub that provides its own power supply rather than drawing power from the computer. Why It Works: Insufficient power can cause USB hubs to malfunction, so switching to a powered hub ensures your devices receive adequate power. If All Else Fails: Contact the Manufacturer

If the GL850G chip still doesn’t work after following these troubleshooting steps, it may be a case of hardware failure. In this case, you should contact the manufacturer or the seller from which you purchased the chip for warranty support or a possible replacement.

Conclusion

Dealing with a non-functional GL850G USB chip can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most issues. Start with the basics, such as checking cables and updating drivers, and work your way through the more complex possibilities like power management or hardware failure. By the end, you’ll hopefully have your USB chip working again, or at least know whether a replacement is necessary.

Let me know if you need more detailed instructions or have any other questions!