Computer Restarts or Freezes When USB Devices Are Connected

Hi everyone,

I ran into a strange issue today and could use some help figuring it out.

I’ve had my desktop for about 3 years, and everything has worked smoothly until now. Suddenly, whenever I plug in a USB device — whether it’s a flash drive, external hard disk, or even my wired keyboard — the computer either instantly restarts or freezes completely. This happens regardless of which USB port I use (front, back, or even on the motherboard extension).

What’s even more confusing is that if a USB device is already plugged in during boot, the system sometimes fails to load Windows at all — it just stays stuck on the motherboard logo screen.

I initially thought it might be a hardware fault, but I’ve also read about malware that can interfere with USB input/output or manipulate power levels through the port. I’m not sure if this is a physical issue, driver corruption, or something more malicious.

I’m running Windows 11 Pro (fully updated).

No recent hardware changes.

I’ve done basic malware scans but found nothing unusual.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Any tips for diagnosing whether this is a software or security issue? Would appreciate any guidance before I start replacing parts.

Talia Rho

Participant

July 23, 2025 at 3:27 am

Hi Diwo,

I see @Daxi, has already pointed out some solid initial checks — especially around BIOS settings, USB drivers, and possible power-related issues. Those are indeed the right starting points.

To build on that:

Prioritize checking the PSU if you’re seeing system-level instability (like restarts or freezing). If the PSU is aging or borderline for your system’s power needs, USB device connections can tip it over.

Disconnect front panel USB headers temporarily. A short or grounding issue from a front port can crash the system even if the rear ports seem fine.

Look into Event Viewer under “System” logs for any Kernel-Power or USB-related errors at the exact time of the crash — this will help confirm whether it’s driver-level or hardware-triggered.

If you’re unsure about testing hardware, boot into a Linux live environment. If the system behaves the same there, that’s a clear hardware confirmation.

You’ve already ruled out malware for the most part, but if you want full peace of mind, run a bootable antivirus scanner like ESET SysRescue.

Let us know the PSU model and if anything stands out in the Event Logs — that’ll help us guide you further.

Daxi

July 23, 2025 at 3:24 am

Hey Diwo, from what you’ve described, I’ve seen similar issues before—usually it’s either a power delivery problem or a faulty USB port. I’d suggest checking your PSU or motherboard for any signs of failure. Try reinstalling the USB controller drivers manually and physically inspect the ports too, especially the front ones.

Also, check Event Viewer for any critical or USB-related errors. For now, unplug all non-essential USB devices and test ports one by one with just the keyboard. Malware could be a factor, but this seems more like a hardware thing. Share your Event Viewer logs and PSU details—I’ll help you dig deeper.