Iconia W4 820 - 'Unknown USB Device - Device Descriptor Request Failed'

rudro1004
rudro1004 Member Posts: 3 New User

I am getting an 'Unknown USB Device - Device Descriptor Request Failed' whenever I am trying to plug in any usb device using the OTG cable supplied with my Acer Iconia W4 820 tab. Since, I just got my device last night, it is brand new and the micro-usb port is working fine while chargning the tab. I have already tried out most of the 'disable and uninstall driver in the device manager' solutions provided across the internet without much effect, so was wondering if anyone here had the same problem!

Answers

  • hgmartin9
    hgmartin9 Member Posts: 132 Enthusiast WiFi Icon

    I would first try a different OTG cable. When you uninstalled did you try uninstalling “root hubs” in device manager. Restart system and the USB root hubs will re-install.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Have you tried a different cable ? I have had trouble with OTG cables used for anything except charging.

  • rudro1004
    rudro1004 Member Posts: 3 New User

    hgmartin9 wrote:

    I would first try a different OTG cable. When you uninstalled did you try uninstalling “root hubs” in device manager. Restart system and the USB root hubs will re-install.


    Since I didn't have access to a different OTG cable, tried uninstalling "root hubs" as suggested - but this sadly does not work! Smiley Sad Now I am hoping the problem is really with the OTG cable and not the device itself! Thanks though for your suggestion!

  • SlimJim22
    SlimJim22 Member Posts: 4 New User

    Hello,

     

    I too have just purchased an Iconia W4.  I am also getting the 'Unknown USB Device - Device Descriptor Request Failed' Mine did not come with OTG cable in the box (North America), so I purchased a different one.  Have you found a solution to the problem?

     

    Thanks in advance.

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    What device is failing ? (should be able to see in device manager.)

  • SlimJim22
    SlimJim22 Member Posts: 4 New User

    Anything I plug into it.  But I've been on Acer support chat. They asked me to do a refresh so I did, not realizing I would need:a) usb external DVD drive, and b) a working usb port.  Wish I wouldnt have gone to Acer support chat! Suppose I will have to send it in now.

  • yuroktold1
    yuroktold1 Member Posts: 56

    Tinkerer

    didn't know you csn charge a tablet thru usb port...it does sound like a driver issue. did you use a driver set from acer site or whatever windows found elsewhere?

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Some tabs charge through the USB port like an Android phone. Really a dumb idea, at least the way it was implimented.

     

    "Refresh" is a universal cure for anything that requires no thought. If you have a previous restore point, that is a better way. I can usually just uninstall the offending driver, reboot, and it will reinstall.

     

    Next fallback is to reinstall the latest Intel Platform Driver package.

     

    The last resort is to refresh/reinstall Windows since that is usually 8.0 which needs to move to 8.1 and then to 8.1 update, plus any later patches.

  • SlimJim22
    SlimJim22 Member Posts: 4 New User

    Yes, I only purchased the tablet one week ago, all updates took place almost immediately after purchase. I only tried USB port a couple of days ago, so i'm assuming it has never worked. I should have known better, but nowhere in Windows does it say you'll need disc for refresh, I would have thought only for a complete wipe. I also would have thought tech support would have known too!

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Well I would start with a platform update from http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers , the latest driver package is 1.15 which should be downloadable as an .exe and just run.

  • rudro1004
    rudro1004 Member Posts: 3 New User

    I have tried everything, including installing the updated drivers from Acer's site. Sadly, nothing works. Only option left is trying a factory reset or sending it in and I doubt I will do any of them Smiley Sad

  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder

    Must admit this is a little confusing. When you connect the USB "something" is recognized but it does not start properly. I understand this is with any USB device. Have you tried a powered hub ? That should show up as additional USB ports in device manager.

     

    I am just wondering if you have a corrupt registry to get "Device Descriptor Request Failed".  See here .

     

    Personally I'd connect something that fails then look in both Event Viewer and Device Manager for errors to get a better idea of what is going on.

     

    Could also be other things that use the USB bus (WiFi, BT) hogging resources but key is finding a more descriptive error message (like a code 10).

  • SlimJim22
    SlimJim22 Member Posts: 4 New User

    i sent tablet out for repair, supposedly the 'usb audio' board was replaced.  When it returned, still the same problem, so i went to retailer with my issue and asked to try a different otg cable. and lo and behold that was the problem.  a bad cable. For $8 i should have tried that first.  A couple of questions arise though.  did they really replace a board?  And did they finish the install that I couldn't finish when i first contacted tech support (because i didn't have a working usb port or an external dvd drive).  How can I tell for sure if the refresh has been completed with the Acer disk?

  • philmark11
    philmark11 Member Posts: 2 New User

    I had same problem, ended up sending to acer for repair. When I got it back had same exact problem as I sent it in for.

     

    My brother suggested i turn off power management for the USB controller under device manager, It worked. Seems the power manager wasn't turning on power for the data pins, I could charge but got the "USB device not recognized" error when plugging any usb device in.

     

    I know this is a little late for you but some one esle may have same problem. Now I'm just wondering how my battery life will be affected by having power to usb port on all the time.

     

    the setting i changed was device manager/universal serial bus controller/Intel USB 3.0 extensible host controller

    also I have iconia w4-820

  • philmark11
    philmark11 Member Posts: 2 New User

    I didn't see this post before my last comment, but i did same thing sent it to acer for repair and they replaced audio board and sent it back and i had same problem. 

     

    my brother had two different otg cables and neither of them worked even after i turned power management off to usb port. My acer didn't have a otg cable supplied. I ordered online. Will order some different ones and see if they have same problem.