How to fix "Power Surge on the USB Port" Error in Windows 11 pro

D K 0 Reputation points
2026-08-05T00:31:58.48+00:00

I get this error when system wakes up from sleep. Windows 11 pro running on a Dell 7060 ungraded form windows 10.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Sleep and Power on, off
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  1. EmilyS726 255.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-05T01:15:08.1366667+00:00

    This error does not usually mean there was a surge from the electrical outlet. It means Windows detected that a USB device, cable, or port was drawing more power than the USB controller allows. Since it occurs after sleep, USB power management or the controller driver may also be involved. Dell lists faulty devices or cables, USB drivers, power-saving settings, BIOS, and port damage as possible causes

    See Dell's support article below.

    https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000149584/power-surge-on-the-usb-port-in-windows-10

    Do you have the Dell Assistant app in your computer? If so, you might want to run that, and update everything that's recommended first.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-05T00:32:17.1533333+00:00

    Try these Windows 11 steps first for a USB power/sleep issue that appears only after resume:

    1. Install the latest Windows updates
      Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Install all available updates, including driver updates, then restart.
    2. Check USB devices in Device Manager
      Right-click Start > Device Manager.
      Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers and look for any device with a warning icon.
      For affected USB devices or hubs, try Update driver.
    3. Turn off USB power-saving for USB Root Hubs
      In Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers, open each USB Root Hub device, go to Properties > Power Management, and clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
      This is relevant because the problem appears when the PC wakes from sleep.
    4. Test without recently added USB hardware
      If any USB device, hub, or dock was added before the issue started, disconnect it and test sleep/wake again.
    5. Boot into Safe Mode and test resume behavior
      If the issue continues, start Windows in Safe Mode and test whether waking from sleep still triggers the USB error. If it does not happen there, a driver or device loaded during normal startup is a likely cause.
    6. Keep enough free disk space available
      Make sure the system drive has roughly 10% to 15% free space.
    7. If the issue started after a recent change, use recovery options
      If this began after a driver, update, or app change, use System Restore or another recovery option in Windows.

    Additional note for USB resume behavior: Microsoft documents USB timing and resume issues where devices may not be detected immediately after resume, and retrying the device again after a few seconds can succeed.

    If the problem persists specifically on resume from sleep, that points to a USB controller, hub, or driver power-management issue rather than a general USB hardware failure.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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