To identify if your system has an Intel xHCI controller, locate the controller in Device Manager. That causes the port to be always routed to the EHCI controller until the BIOS is updated. Specifically, when the BIOS enables the legacy (EHCI) controller but does not display an option to disable it. Typically, we see the issue in a system that have an older BIOS version. The issue is system-related and only seen in systems that have been upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8. On some systems with Intel xHCI controllers, SuperSpeed devices can operate at a lower speed.

Make sure that your system has the latest BIOS version (applies to upgraded systems with Intel controllers) For many systems you can do so by pressing F2, however that can be different. To check your BIOS option, follow instructions from the boot screen about how to enter setup. If there is such an option, it might not be in the same location as shown in the image. In this image, notice that the Legacy USB Support (EHCI) option is enabled through theĭepending on your system, the option to enable an xHCI controller may or may not appear in the BIOS. Those USB 2.0 ports appear under an EHCI controller. That option disables the USB 3.0 ports of an xHCI controller and exposes only the USB 2.0 ports. Some older systems that have been upgraded to Windows 8 allow for SuperSpeed port to be routed to an EHCI controller in the BIOS. Make sure that the xHCI controller is enabled in the BIOSĬheck that your BIOS setting enables the xHCI controller. This post describes issues related to the BIOS. That section describes common issues related to setup or improper hardware configuration. Different USB 3.0 controllers vary slightly in speed, however all USB 3.0 controllers are significantly faster than 2.0 controllers. Party driver for your USB 3.0 controller (or XHCI controller) on Windows 8 because of compatibility issues. The new stack includes an in-box host controller driver that works with all available controllers. Microsoft provides a new USB driver stack for USB 3.0 in Windows 8.

) then this article will help you troubleshoot and fix the issue. How to determine if a USB device is operating at SuperSpeed If you have upgraded a system with USB 3.0 controllers from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and notice that the connected USB 3.0 devices are not operating at SuperSpeed (see

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