How to Change the Power Output to USB Ports

Continue to power USB devices while the computer is in Sleep mode.

You can change the power output associated with your USB port so your computer will continue to power USB devices even after the computer has been placed in Sleep mode. The default settings for Windows shut down the USB ports when a computer is placed in Sleep mode to save power. Changing the power settings associated with your USB port make it possible for you to continue charging a device such as a cellphone or tablet computer, or continue using any other USB device connected to your computer. You can change the USB power settings through the Control Panel.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" icon on the Windows task bar, then click "Control Panel" on the right side of the Start menu.

2. Click "Hardware and Sound," then click "Device Manager" beneath Devices and Printers. The Device Manager program window opens.

3. Click the drop-down arrow to the left of the name of your computer, then click the drop-down arrow to the left of "Universal Serial Bus controllers."

4. Double-click the first listing of "USB Root Hub." The USB Root Hub Properties dialog box appears.

5. Select the "Power Management" tab.

6. Click to remove the check in the box to the left of "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." Click "OK" to return to the Device Manager dialog box.

7. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 to change the power settings for any additional USB inputs listed in Device Manager. Click the "X" in the upper-right corner of the Device Manager dialog box when you are finished.

Tips & Warnings

• This only powers devices that were connected to the computer before it was placed in Sleep mode. If you connected a device after a computer was placed in Sleep mode, the USB port will not provide power to it.