Arduino Device Descriptor Request Failed | Reasons & Solutions

With native USB, you can (sort of) break boards. If your code manages to overwrite some variables utilized by that specific USB code, you need to break the board. When you connect an Arduino to your computer, the Arduino descriptor aids in the identification of the attached device. 

You can also follow the steps- update driver>browse my computer for driver software>select program files (x86)\arduino\drivers, searched for the inf file, include subfolder, etc) to solve the failure of the device descriptor request.

What Is a Device Descriptor?

A device descriptor, as the name suggests, is a file that describes the properties of a device. It is a tiny file that is used to identify a device uniquely. A device descriptor file is typically a text file that contains unique identifiers for the device in which it is stored, such as a mobile phone.

What Causes the Arduino Device Description Error?

The “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) error message might be caused by hardware or system-specific problems. The following are the possible causes of this problem:

1. Your most recent software upgrade encountered problems and corrupted the USB drivers.
2. There was an error when you were replacing some PC components.
3.  You made errors when defining the USB driver settings.
4. The USB port is damaged.
5. The USB device has been tampered with, corrupted, or infected with malware.
6. The USB drivers are either corrupted or out of date.
7. The BIOS system must be updated.

What to Do to Solve “Arduino Device Descriptor Request Failed” Issue?

When Windows cannot recognize a device or decide which driver to run, the iconic “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)” error occurs.  Hence,  you’ll see an error notice that says something like “Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)” or “A Request for the USB Device Descriptor Failed.”

To solve this issue you can follow the methods below:

1. Connect the Arduino to another port.
2. Check for hardware issues.
3. Plug out your power supply.
4. Disable the fast startup option.
5. Uninstall the Arduino in the device manager.
6. Remove Arduino and scan for hardware changes.
7. Run the hardware and device troubleshooter.
8. Change your Arduino selective suspend setting.
9. Update the generic Arduino hub driver.

Method-1: Connect the Arduino to Another Port

If you receive the Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed) problem, connect the Arduino to a different port on your computer. If it fails, restart your computer and try again. You should also test the Arduino on another computer to see whether it works there.

Method-2: Check for Hardware Issues

Even after putting the Arduino into various USB ports, it is clear that the issue is not with your port but with your Arduino. It is likely that your Arduino is damaged, which can be inconvenient.

Method-3: Plug Out Your Power Supply

This solution is somewhat unusual, but users attest to its effectiveness in resolving the Device descriptor request failed problem. If the power supply is to blame for the failed USB device descriptor request, follow these steps to resolve the issue.

1. Unplug the power supply from your computer.
2. Reconnect the power supply.
3. Restart your computer and plug the Arduino cable into the port.
4. Allow the Arduino to load and open before proceeding.
5. The error “device descriptor request failed” will be fixed.

Method-4: Disable the Fast Startup Option

Disabling the rapid startup option is an option for dealing with the Device descriptor request failed problem. It resolves faults by resolving optimization issues with your operating system, as well as resolving cases when Windows updates are stuck in your computer system.

Method-5: Uninstall the Arduino in the Device Manager

A simple explanation for this fix is that any hardware, such as your USB, is read by software known as the driver. If this driver for reading your USB is out of date or broken, you’ll get an Arduino device descriptor request failed error.

To uninstall the Arduino in the Device Manager, you can follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key + X to open the Power User menu and select “Device Manager”
• Find the Arduino device in the list of devices. The device should appear under the “Ports (COM & LPT)” or “Other Devices” category in Device Manager.”
• Right-click on the Arduino device and select “Uninstall Device”
• A dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to uninstall the device. Select “OK”
• After uninstalling the device, close the Device Manager.
• It may be necessary to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
• Alternatively, you can also uninstall the Arduino software from your computer through the Control Panel, by going to “Programs and Features” and finding the Arduino software and then click Uninstall.

Please note that if you are planning to re-install the Arduino software again make sure you have the necessary drivers and software to do so.

Method-6: Remove Arduino and Scan for Hardware Changes

This repair should be performed in conjunction with method-5, while screening for hardware changes is standard practice for system integrity checks. Scanning for hardware changes is essentially a more refined search for the Arduino. 

Method-7: Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

If manual approaches including scanning for hardware changes aren’t working, To resolve the device descriptor request failed windows 10 issue, you can use the default window hardware and device troubleshooter.

Using the built-in hardware troubleshooter covers all possible causes of the unrecognized error and allows you to navigate directly to the official Microsoft page for answers to your problem. These are the steps to use when running the Hardware and device troubleshooter.

Method-8: Change Your Arduino Selective Suspend Setting

Arduino selective suspend is a clever windows function that helps the computer system save energy and is typically deactivated by default. Selective Suspend conserves energy by suspending or hibernating plugged-in devices rather than sleeping the entire system when not in use.

Method-9: Update the Generic Arduino Hub Driver

The user-friendly Windows interface identifies, installs, and updates Arduino drivers automatically. However, because of the unstable internet, it may not always be able to do so. If this fails, you may receive a device descriptor request failed code 43 error message.

To update the generic Arduino hub driver, you can follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key + X to open the Power User menu and select “Device Manager”
• Find the Arduino device in the list of devices. It should be listed under “Ports (COM & LPT)” or “Other Devices”
• Right-click on the Arduino device and select “Update Driver”
• In the next window, select “Search automatically for updated driver software”
• Windows will now search for any available updates for the driver. If an update is found, it will be installed automatically.
• If no update is found, the current driver is up to date.
• Once the driver is updated, close the Device Manager and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
• Another way to update the driver is to download and install the latest version of Arduino software, as it often includes the latest version of the driver.

Please keep in mind that updating the driver may also require you to update the Arduino software and the firmware on your board, to ensure full compatibility.

Why Arduino USB is not recognized?

A failing USB connection is the most common cause of the board not being displayed on a port. The board needs to be connected to your computer with a data USB cable. Make sure the USB cable is not damaged. Try testing your cable with a different device or a different cable.

Conclusion

All your Arduino needs may be a reboot. Sometimes an internal fault prevents components from working properly, and restarting provides the computer an opportunity to correct itself. Click the Start button > Power button > Restart on Windows.