[Full Guide] Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller Driver Download

Jun. 09, 2025 / Updated by Violet to Windows Driver Solutions

When your computer’s Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller driver is missing, outdated, or malfunctioning, your USB ports may stop functioning altogether. This means devices like USB flash drives, printers, game controllers, keyboards, and more may become unusable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to download, install, and update the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver for Windows 10 64-bit, including options for both manual and automatic updates. Whether you're searching for a USB universal serial bus joystick driver for Windows 10 or simply want to fix issues under "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" in Device Manager, this guide has you covered.

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What Is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller Driver?

The Universal Serial Bus Controller driver is a key component that allows Windows to communicate with USB ports and devices. It’s listed under the Device Manager as Universal Serial Bus Controllers and includes items like Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller, Generic USB Hub, or USB Root Hub. Without the proper driver, Windows 10 may fail to detect your USB devices or label the controller with a yellow exclamation mark indicating an error.

Common Issues Caused by Missing or Corrupt USB Controller Drivers

If your USB Controller driver is not working correctly, you might experience:

  • “Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller – The drivers for this device are not installed (Code 28)”

  • Unrecognized USB devices

  • USB joystick/gamepad not working

  • No response when connecting USB flash drives or other peripherals

  • Error: "Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)"

These issues are almost always resolved by reinstalling or updating the proper driver.


How to Check If Your USB Controller Driver Is Missing or Outdated

  • Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.

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  • Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section.

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  • Look for any entry marked with a yellow triangle or labeled as Unknown device or Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller with an error.

  • Right-click the problem entry and select Properties to check the device status.


Method 1: Download USB Controller Driver via Windows Update

Keeping your Windows operating system updated is not only essential for security but also ensures you receive the latest hardware drivers automatically, including the Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller driver. This is often the most straightforward way to resolve USB-related problems, especially if you're experiencing issues such as unrecognized USB ports or devices. 

Steps:

  • Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  • Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.

  • Click Check for updates.

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  • If an update for the USB Controller is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.

  • Reboot your PC after installation.


Method 2: Manually Download USB Controller Driver from Manufacturer’s Website

When automatic tools fall short, downloading USB controller drivers manually from your PC or motherboard manufacturer’s website ensures you get the latest and most compatible version.   Manufacturers often provide customized drivers optimized for their hardware configurations, resolving deeper compatibility issues that generic drivers might not fix.

Steps:

1. Identify your motherboard or PC model (e.g., Dell XPS 13, HP Pavilion, ASUS Prime B450M).

2. Visit the official support website of your manufacturer:

  • Dell: https://www.dell.com/support

  • HP: https://support.hp.com

  • Lenovo: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com

  • ASUS: https://www.asus.com/support

3. Search for your model and download the USB Controller / Chipset Driver for Windows 10 64-bit.

4. Run the setup and follow the prompts to install.

5. Restart your system.


Method 3: Use Device Manager to Update USB Controller Driver

The Device Manager in Windows 10 offers a built-in interface for identifying and updating problematic hardware drivers, including those for Universal Serial Bus Controllers. If your USB ports are malfunctioning or a device appears as “Unknown USB Device,” using Device Manager to search for updated drivers online can be a quick and effective fix. 

Steps:

  • Press Windows + X and click Device Manager.

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  • Expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers.

  • Right-click on the problematic entry and choose Update Driver.

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  • Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

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  • Follow the prompts to finish the update.

  • Reboot your PC.


Method 4: Automatically Update USB Controller Driver with Driver Talent

For those who prefer a faster and more reliable solution, using a dedicated tool like Driver Talent offers a powerful alternative to manual driver hunting. Driver Talent automatically scans, detects, and updates outdated or missing USB controller drivers with a single click, making it ideal for beginners and professionals alike. It also reduces the risk of installing incompatible drivers and helps maintain overall system stability and performance by keeping all device drivers current.

Why Choose Driver Talent:

  • Automatically detects outdated or missing USB controller drivers

  • Supports one-click repair, update, and backup

  • Compatible with all major brands (Intel, AMD, Realtek, VIA, etc.)

  • Ensures optimal USB performance and stability

How to Use Driver Talent:

  • Download and install Driver Talent from the official website.

Download Driver Talent

  • Launch the software and click Scan.

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  • After scanning, locate the Universal Serial Bus Controller in the list.

  • Click Update or Repair to install the correct driver.

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  • Restart your computer once the update is complete.


Fixing USB Universal Serial Bus Joystick Driver Windows 10

If your USB joystick/game controller is not working on Windows 10, it might also be a driver issue related to HID-compliant game controllers or the USB controller itself.

Steps to Fix:

  • Open Device Manager.

  • Check under Universal Serial Bus Controllers and Human Interface Devices.

  • Right-click your joystick device and choose Update driver.

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If the device is not recognized at all, update the USB controller driver first.

Optionally, use Driver Talent to automatically install all missing gamepad drivers.


How to Reinstall Universal Serial Bus Controller Driver

If updating doesn't help, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the driver.

Steps:

  • Go to Device Manager.

  • Right-click on the faulty USB controller.

  • Select Uninstall device.

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  • Restart your computer – Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Alternatively, install the driver manually from the OEM website or use Driver Talent.


Conclusion

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller driver is essential for USB port functionality on Windows 10 64-bit systems. Whether you're dealing with an unrecognized USB joystick, missing entries in Device Manager, or slow USB response, updating the USB driver often resolves these problems immediately.

For those who want a hassle-free and efficient way to update drivers, we strongly recommend Driver Talent. It saves time, ensures accuracy, and restores your USB functionality in just a few clicks.

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