Windows 8.1 Pro - Windows Update messed up USB 3.0 on laptop!

Hello, I have reached the end of the line concerning this issue... Windows 8.1 Pro (x64) and constant problems with USB 3.0! I have an Asus K55A notebook, Intel 7 Series/C216 Chipset, HM76 running Core i3-3110M, Intel HD 4000 iGPU.  Samsung 840 SSD 250 GB, Kingston 8 GB DDR3 (2x 4 GB) 1600 MHz Dual Channel... This is the issue... I noticed slow transfer rates on USB 3.0 ports and MAINLY that in Device Manager that EVERYTHING connected to my only 2.0 port shows ups under USB Root Hub (xHCI) located on Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller (100-Microsoft)... Also the Power Management Tab is missing from the Host controller and xHCI Root Hub... Now Asus has a program called Instant On... For fast resume times, long standby and similar hybrid sleep state... When I manually sleep my notebook, after waking up Windows reinstalls USB 3.0 Drivers and uses the Intel Enhanced USB Controller (USB 2.0 Stack) even if devices are connected to 3.0 ports... and the 3.0 Stack stops working and almost always the 3.0 ports stop working all together.... Now if I RESTART my notebook everything stays the same... USB 2.0 port devices are under 3.0 stack and controller... Last month on Update Tuesday WU installed a new 3.0 Host Controller with this driver version... 6.3.9600.16459 and Date... 11/8/2013.... I did a clean UEFI install install of 8.1 and the xHCI drivers are 6.3.9600.46384.... Windows automatically updated the drivers and now my notebook won't auto-sleep.... And if I manually put it in sleep mode, the USB ports don't shut down... Also the Power tab is gone for the 3.0 controller and hub... I uninstalled Instant On and the USB Re-enumeration problem is gone but notebook won't sleep like I said and the Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller

• 1E26 has NO DEVICES UNDER IT... Even though I have something connected to the 2.0 port.... I ran USB3HWVerifierAnalyzer.exe from MUTT USB Test when sleeping my notebook and a whole bunch of errors for xHCI driver came up... I don't have MDK installed so I can't read the .etl file... But it did mention that Windows had to reset the xHCI Controller, driver or re-enumerate that device.... I checked the Host Controller bandwidth using USB Tree View... and it says that its 56 MB/s... around 480 Mbps my guess.... Also I have noticed that many of the devices under PCI Express Root Complex in their respective power management... S1-S2 are unspecified or unmapped... xHCI being among them... I ran PowerCFG /a and it says that S1-S2 aren't supported by system firmware... S3, Hybris Sleep, Hibernation and Fast Boot are supported though.... I have all the latest drivers installed from the Asus Support Site for my model... but their Windows 8 drivers... Asus hasn't released Windows 8.1 drivers aside from Graphics, Wifi and Bluetooth.... I do have Asus ATK Package installed wich has something to do with the Fn Hot-Keys and ACPI... I have la latest Intel ME 8 firmware and MEI drivers... the OEM Chipset INF also even though it's outdated from 2012... v1021... Some devices in device manager have a (-)IRQ.... Don't know if that's an issue because the Intel 3.0 is among them as well.... Please help me solve this issue!!! ASAP!!!! Thx in advance!!!

Hasan... Why did you replay with a copy OF MY ORIGINAL POST!?!?!?!?!?!

I don't want to sound dismissive because it is not my intent. I sadly think you should consider yourself actively in the market for a new laptop.

I had similar problems though I'm not a fraction as technically skilled as you. What I can tell you is bottom line...hardware originally intended for other than Windows 8 (e.g., Windows 7 or XP) has a much higher probability of failing with each new Windows update that is released. It's far over my head to explain it to you with the technical sophistication you possess, but I've been told and am now convinced the "touch" technology of Windows 8 is incongruous with some earlier version hardware.

Last week, I became the reluctant owner of a new laptop, purchased last week. It's an HP Envy and so far so good. My previous laptop was a Dell Inspiron 1545 that worked like magic in spite of its age (circa Fall 2009). This was true even after I installed Windows 8, however ALL my challenges began with my Dell immediately following the release of 8.1.

I don't want to sound dismissive because it is not my intent. I sadly think you should consider yourself actively in the market for a new laptop.

I had similar problems though I'm not a fraction as technically skilled as you. What I can tell you is bottom line...hardware originally intended for other than Windows 8 (e.g., Windows 7 or XP) has a much higher probability of failing with each new Windows update that is released. It's far over my head to explain it to you with the technical sophistication you possess, but I've been told and am now convinced the "touch" technology of Windows 8 is incongruous with some earlier version hardware.

Last week, I became the reluctant owner of a new laptop, purchased last week. It's an HP Envy and so far so good. My previous laptop was a Dell Inspiron 1545 that worked like magic in spite of its age (circa Fall 2009). This was true even after I installed Windows 8, however ALL my challenges began with my Dell immediately following the release of 8.1.

MicheleDotson,

I also don't want to sound dismissive BUT my laptop WAS designed for Win8. I purchased it In July... I do agree about Win8.1 having its shortcomings though... As well as Asus & Microsoft being at fault... I have decided and am in the process of building a custom rig... With hardware that does support and has the Windows 8.1 stamp.

Hi -

I think I am having a similar problem with my Lenovo G580 Windows 8.1 laptop.  Here's what I submitted on Lenovo forums, maybe there will be a thread of insight for you.

Hi -

I hope I'm in the right place now for my G580 Windows 8.1 laptop.

A few weeks ago (I think after a Windows update) my USB 3 ports stopped working after about 15 minutes.  Reconnecting the devices doesn't help, only a reboot will.  At that point, I get another 15 minutes, then USB 3 ports stop working again.

I've refreshed USB drivers, installed and removed Windows updates, I've been at this for 3 days now.  Here's one new discovery.  If you go to Windows+X key, choose Device Manager, choose Universal Serial Bus Controllers, Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 0100 (Microsoft) you get a multi-tabbed menu.  From this, choose Driver, Update Driver.., Browse My Computer for Driver Software and then install.  The driver reinstalls, the ports start working again for as long as the system is on (no timeout)!  But, when you reboot, you're back to square one and the 15 minutes timeout again.

I think I'm getting close.  Any ideas?

Thanks!