How to Troubleshoot Toshiba Satellite M35X USB Ports
Your Toshiba Satellite M35X laptop comes from the factory with three USB ports that can be used to connect peripheral devices such as printers or USB memory drives. While the operating system will normally detect the USB devices automatically and work correctly, a variety of issues can arise when using the USB ports. Because of the varying causes of the potential problems there are multiple troubleshooting steps to take to try to pinpoint and resolve the issue.
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Instructions
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Unplug the USB device that isn't being detected from the first USB port on the side of the Toshiba Satellite M35X laptop. Insert the device into the second port and try to use it again. Plug the device into the third USB port and try to use it again if it still doesn't work.
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Open the Start menu and click "All Programs." Select "Windows Update" and then "Express." Check to see if the latest Windows service pack is included in the list of available updates.
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Click "Install Updates" if the service pack is listed. Restart your Satellite M35X and attempt to use the USB ports again.
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Return to the Start menu and choose "Control Panel" if the problem persists. Click "Performance and Maintenance" and then "System." Navigate to the "Hardware" tab.
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Click "Device Manager" and then scroll down to the entry labeled "Universal Serial Bus Controllers." Click the plus sign to the left of the entry to expand the menu.
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Right-click the first entry and choose "Uninstall." Repeat the process with all of the remaining USB entries. Close the Device Manager and restart the operating system.
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Wait for the "Found New Hardware" wizard to appear on the screen. Follow the onscreen prompts to reinstall the USB port's software. Attempt to use the ports again.
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Navigate to the BIOS download page for the Satellite M35X laptop if the problem persists. Click the link for the most recent version of the BIOS.
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Double-click the BIOS upgrade file and follow the on-screen instructions to update the motherboard's BIOS. Restart the laptop and try to use the USB ports again.
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Tips & Warnings
It's possible that the problem may lie with the USB device and not the ports on the Toshiba Satellite M35X laptop. If other USB devices work on the laptop you will need to format the device. Plug it into a USB port and then open the "My Computer" menu. Right-click the entry for the USB device and choose "Format" and then click "Start." Formatting the USB device will erase all of the data it contains, but will likely resolve the problem.
If the USB ports still aren't working the problem almost certainly lies with a physical defect. The only way to fix broken USB ports is to either swap out the entire motherboard or take the laptop to a computer technician for repair.
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