Symmetric and reversible design
- The connector is symmetric. The cable has a USB Type-C connector on each end allowing the host and function device to use USB Type-C connectors. Here is an image that compares the connectors:
- The connector is designed to be reversible. Traditional connectors had to be connected the "right-side-up". With the reversible design, the connector can be flipped.
Supports all USB device speeds
The connector can support USB devices that are low-speed, full-speed, high-speed, SuperSpeed (including SS+).
Alternate modes
The connector can support alternate modes. The alternate mode feature allows non-USB protocols to run over the USB cable, while simultaneously preserving USB 2.0 and charging functionality. Currently, the most popular alternate modes are DisplayPort/DockPort and MHL.
DisplayPort / DockPort
This alternate mode allows the user to project audio/video to external DisplayPort displays over a USB connector.
MHL
The MHL alternate mode is allows the user to project video/audio to external displays that support MHL.
Billboard error messages
If a user connects a USB Type-C alternate mode device or adapter that is not supported by the attached PC or phone, the device or adapter can expose a Billboard device that contains information about the error condition to help the user troubleshoot issues.
Increased power limits
A system with USB Type-C connectors has higher power limits, it can support up to 5V, 3A, 15W.
In addition, the connector can optionally support the power delivery feature as defined by the USB Power Delivery OEM . If the connector supports power delivery, a USB Type-C system can be a power source provider or a consumer and support up to 100W.
Supports USB dual roles
Peripheral devices can connect to a mobile system with USB Type-C connectors, changing the traditional role of a mobile system from function to host. When the same system is connected to a PC, the system resumes the role of a function and PC becomes the host.
Operating system input into which alternate mode needs to be negotiated, such as DP 2-lane vs. DP 4-lane
No. The operating system (or any Microsoft-provided software component) plays no part in selecting an alternate mode. The decision is made by the driver for the connector, specifically the USB connector manager (UCM) client driver. The driver does so by communicating with the connector's firmware by using hardware interfaces.
Pre-OS charging with Type-C and PD
Enabling pre-OS charging is owned by the OEM. You can choose to not implement USB Power Delivery, and charge at USB Type-C power levels until you boot into the operating system.
Charging the phone when it is a USB host to enable docking scenarios like Continuum
Here are a few things to consider:
You must to implement USB Power Delivery, so that power and data roles can be swapped independently.
Your dock’s upstream port should be implemented as a Charging UFP, defined in the USB Type-C specification. For details, see section 4.8.4, version 1.1.
Your dock should request a DR_Swap if it resolved to a DFP, or a PR_Swap if it resolved to a UFP.
The initial DFP is the power source, so you must change the data role. The initial UFP is the power sink, so you must change the power role. You can perform those operations in your implementation of these callback functions:
Windows10 Mobile support of USB billboard devices
Yes, if you connect the phone to a device that supports a USB Billboard, as per the USB Device Class Definition for Billboard Devices specification, the user is notified. Your USB connector manager (UCM) client driver is not required to handle the notification. If your system does not recognize the alternate mode, do not enter the mode.
Support for USB Type-C on earlier versions of Windows
USB Type-C is not supported on versions of Windows prior to Windows10.
UCSI support on earlier versions of Windows
UCSI is not supported on versions of Windows prior to Windows10.
How to test an implementation of UCSI
To test your implementation, follow the guidelines given in USB Type-C manual interoperability test procedures. We recommend running USB tests in Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) for Windows10. These tests are listed in Windows Hardware Certification Kit Tests for USB.
Conditions and UI for the different errors
Windows10 can show a set of USB Type-C error messages to help educate users about the limitations with different combinations of USB Type-C hardware and software. For example, the user might get "Device is charging slowly" message if the charger connected to the USB Type-C connector is not powerful enough, not compatible with the system, or is connected to a non-charging port. For more information, see Troubleshoot messages for a USB Type-C Windows system.
Connecting a non-PD port to a PD provider and a PD consumer to a system that is not a PD provider
The non-PD port attempts to charge the system by using USB Type-C current levels. For more information, see USB 3.1 and USB Type-C specifications.
Connecting Thunderbolt, SuperMHL, or PCI express to a PC that does not support those capabilities
The alternate mode feature allows non-USB protocols (such as Thunderbolt, SuperMHL) to run over the USB cable, while simultaneously preserving USB 2.0 and charging functionality. If a user connects a USB Type-C alternate mode device or adapter that is not supported by the attached PC or phone running Windows10, an error condition is detected and a message is shown to the user.
- If the device or adapter exposes a Billboard device, the user sees information about the error condition to help the troubleshoot issues. Windows10 provides an in-box driver for a Billboard device and notifies the user that an error has occurred.
- The user might see an error notification, "Try improving the USB connection". For more information, see Fix USB-C Problems.
For the best results, make sure that the alternate mode device or adapter’s requirements are met by PC or phone or cable.
Support and limitations for MTP over USB Type-C in Windows
Windows10 for desktop editions supports MTP in the initiator role; Windows10 Mobile supports MTP in the responder role.
How downstream devices and hubs connect and communicate with USB Connector Manager (UCM)
UCM is its own device stack (see Architecture: USB Type-C design for a Windows system). Windows10 support for USB Type-C includes the required plumbing to make sure that the different class drivers know how to communicate with the different USB Type-C connectors. In order to get Windows10 support for USB Type-C, you must plug into the UCM device stack.
USB Type-C MUTT requirements for HLK tests
The Windows HLK for Windows10 contains tests for USB host and function controllers. To test your system, use a USB C-A adapter. These tests are listed in Windows Hardware Certification Kit Tests for USB.
Microsoft support for P2P data transfer between the same Windows10 SKU
This is not a valid connection.
- You cannot connect two PCs running Windows10 for desktop editions.
- You cannot connect two mobile devices running Windows10 Mobile.
If the user attempts to make such a connection, Windows shows an error message. For more information, see Error messages for a USB Type-C Windows system.
The only valid connection is between a Windows Mobile device and Windows desktop device.
UCM class extension (UcmCx) communication with PMIC or battery driver to get/set charging status
On software-assisted charging platforms, UcmCx communicates with PMIC and the battery subsystem. The client driver may determine the charging levels by communicating with the hardware through hardware interfaces. On hardware-assisted platforms, the embedded controller is responsible for charging. UcmCx takes no part in the process.
HLK support for USB Type-C
In Windows HLK for Windows10, there are no USB Type-C specific tests. We recommend running USB tests in Windows HLK for Windows10. These tests are listed in Windows Hardware Certification Kit Tests for USB.
UCSI
USB Type-C Connector System Software Interface (UCSI) Specification describes the capabilities of the USB Type-C Connector System software Interface (UCSI), and explains the registers and data structures, for hardware component designers, system builders, and device driver developers.
Microsoft provides an in-box driver with Windows, UcmUcsi.sys, that implements the features defined by the specification. This driver is intended for systems with embedded controllers.
Test a UCSI implementation running on Windows 10
We recommend running USB tests in Windows HLK for Windows10. These tests are listed in Windows Hardware Certification Kit Tests for USB.
Test a UCMCx client driver on Windows 10
We recommend running USB tests in Windows HLK for Windows10. These tests are listed in Windows Hardware Certification Kit Tests for USB.
VBus/VConn control and role switch operations handled by the UCM class extension
The UCM class extension might get requests from the operating system to change data or power direction of the connector. When it gets those requests, it invokes client driver's implementation of EVT_UCM_CONNECTOR_SET_DATA_ROLE and EVT_UCM_CONNECTOR_SET_POWER_ROLE callback functions (if the connector implements PD). In the implementation, the client driver is expected control the VBUS and VCONN pins. For more information about those callback functions, see Write a USB Type-C connector driver.
FAQs
How do I fix my USB-C driver? ›
- Check USB Type-C ports and cables. ...
- Update and confirm BIOS / Windows packages / drivers with the latest version on your PC. ...
- Reinstall USB Root Hub driver in Device Manager. ...
- Reinstall USB Host Controller driver in Device Manager. ...
- Reinstall Thunderbolt driver. ...
- Connect to external monitors via USB Type-C.
Make sure your USB-C device is all up to date (get the latest drivers). This often happens when you use the adapter/cable for a while (3-12 months), or immediately appears after you upgrade the system; It most frequently appears with Windows users when upgrading to newest version.
What is the driver for USB-C? ›A USB Connector Manager Driver is required for Windows to manage the USB Type-C ports on a system. The bring-up tasks for a USB Connector Manager driver depend on the driver that you choose for the USB Type-C ports: The Microsoft in-box UCSI (UcmUcsiCx. sys and UcmUcsiAcpiClient.
What can I use USB-C for on my computer? ›The USB Type-C port is a new standard that is being adopted by many manufacturers. It offers faster data transfer speeds and can be used for charging, video output, and even audio output. Type-C ports are found on many new computers and smartphones.
Why can't My computer find my USB device? ›Test the flash drive and the USB port.
If the drive doesn't show up on any computer, it likely means it's a problem with the flash drive. That might mean it's gone bad or it might need to be reformatted. On the other hand, if the drive shows up on the new device, your USB port may be the problem.
Start device manager. Expand the USB devices. Select the USB device where you want to update the driver. Right-click the device and again take the “update driver” option.
How do I reset my USB driver? ›- Method 1: Restart Your Computer.
- Method 2: Use Device Manager.
- Method 3: Use Registry Editor.
- Method 4: Disable and Re-enable the USB Controller.
- Method 5: Use Windows Troubleshooter.
- In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.
- Right-click (or press and hold) the name of the device, and then select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
- Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
- Connect device the device to a USB Type-C enabled system. Confirm the device receives power from the system.
- (optional) Connect device the device to a USB Type-C enabled system. Confirm the device will charge the system.
Your new USB-C device (such as a laptop) will still be compatible with all your existing devices (smartphones, tablets, mouse, printer, etc.), you just need the correct USB-C cable or adapter.
How do I turn on USB-C charging? ›
You will also want to watch your USB-C power mode, which you can find in your laptop settings, usually in the power/battery section. Here, you may find that you can switch Type-C's output, choosing whether to receive power or send power.
How do I find my C drive drivers? ›All Windows versions including Windows 10 store the drivers in the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder or C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore folder. You can find all the hardware drivers of your Windows computer in these two folders.
How do I use USB-C drive? ›Plug in your flash drive via your phone's USB-C port.
Usually, a notification from your phone's file system will pop up when you plug in the USB drive. Clicking on this notification will take you directly to the USB drive, where you can see any files that you've already put on it.
Speed, power, and video delivery
In other words, a USB-C port on a computer equipped with Thunderbolt 3 can push data speeds to a theoretical limit of 40Gbps. Those increased data-transfer speeds make it possible to push video over the same connection.
Another major category with USB-C ports is mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets. Almost all modern smartphones offer a USB-C port for data transfer and charging, except, of course, the iPhone. Many tablets offer a USB-C port too – including the iPad Pro.
Why do you need a USB-C port for a PC? ›USB-C's support for sending simultaneous video signals and power means that you might be able to connect to and power a native DisplayPort, MHL, or HDMI device, or connect to almost anything else, assuming you have the proper adapter and cables. (See below for more on adapters.)
Why does my USB device malfunctioned and Windows doesn t recognize it? ›Connect the USB to the PC, right-click on This PC/My Computer, and select Manage. Enter Device Manager, select Disk Management, locate and right-click on your malfunctioned USB, and select Format volume... Finish the format process and set the file system to NTFS or FAT32.
How do I enable USB on my computer? ›- Click the Start button and type "device manager" or "devmgmt. ...
- Click "Universal Serial Bus controllers" to see a list of USB ports on the computer.
- Right-click each USB port, then click "Enable." If this does not re-enable the USB ports, right-click each again and select "Uninstall."
If Windows cannot recognize or detect your USB device, it could be caused by USB driver issues. If the USB device driver is outdated, corrupted, or missing, the computer may fail to display it as normal. In this case, you need to reinstall the USB driver or install the latest driver for the USB drive.
How do I manually install USB drivers Windows 10? ›Attach the USB device to your computer. Open Device Manager to install the driver. Follow the instructions on the Update Driver Software wizard and choose manual installation. You will need to provide the location of the driver package folder to complete the installation.
How do I reinstall USB-C driver in Windows 11? ›
How do I reinstall USB drivers in Windows 11? USB drivers in Windows 11 can be reinstalled manually and automatically. To reinstall manually open Device Manager > double click Universal Serial Bus controllers > Uninstall device > Uninstall > restart PC Windows will reinstall the USB driver.
How do I force Windows to recognize a USB device? ›- Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. ...
- Connect the USB device to another USB port.
- Connect the USB device to another computer.
- Update the USB device drivers.
Reasons Behind USB Ports Not Working
In most cases, the problem arises after a recent Windows update due to problems with the USB drivers included in the update. Other than that, there can be various other reasons such as improper power delivery, registry problems, or physical damage to the port.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
This is by far the easiest way to reset your graphics drivers. Simply press the Windows Key, plus Shift, Ctrl, an B at the same time. You will hear a beep and your screen will flash quickly. This indicates your graphics drivers have been reset.
The USB function client driver is responsible for implementing controller-specific operations. These include implementing endpoint data transfers, USB device state changes (reset, suspend, resume), attach/detach detection, port/charger detection.
How do I check my USB port drivers? ›- Click Start, and then click Run. ...
- Type devmgmt. ...
- In Device Manager, click your computer so that it is highlighted.
- Click Action, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
- Check the USB device to see whether it is working.
In the Hardware Update wizard, select Browse my computer for driver software and click Next. Click Browse and then locate the USB driver folder. For example, the Google USB Driver is located in android_sdk \extras\google\usb_driver\ . Click Next to install the driver.
How do I know if my USB-C has data? ›In theory, USB cables that support data transfer should have the 'trident fork' logo, but in practice the cheap stuff from China uses that logo whether it has data capabilities or not. So the only way to know for sure is to test them all by hand.
How do I know if my USB-C cable is working? ›USBCheck is an app that's designed to help determine whether your USB Type-C cable is up to spec. The app checks the current draw of a cable while it's plugged into your phone. If it notices that the cable is receiving the correct amount of power then it'll spit back a positive result.
How do I know if my USB-C cable has data? ›Physical examination. Due to the number of wires in them, USB data cables are usually thicker than USB charging cables. Data cables have four wires and as such, have thicker outer insulation/lining than their charge-only counterparts with two (2) less wires.
What would I use a USB-C to USB Adapter for? ›
Overview. The USB-C to USB Adapter lets you connect iOS devices and many of your standard USB accessories to a USB-C– or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)–enabled Mac. Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port on your Mac, and then connect your flash drive, camera or other standard USB device.
What is the difference between a USB-C and a USB adapter? ›A subtle difference between USB-A and USB-C comes in their design. USB-A is a uni-directional input (how many times have you flipped a USB-A cable before finding the right direction to plug into your device?) while USB-C is reversible, meaning there is no right or wrong way to plug it into your device.
What is the advantage of USB-C? ›Type-C ports can transmit data at a higher rate. 4K videos can be transmitted via a USB 3.1 Type-C port. Type-C ports support relatively larger charging currents ranging from 3 A to 5 A, and support reverse charging. Type-C ports are more refined in structure and more safe in use.
How do I know my USB-C is charging? ›Otherwise, you need to examine the port on your computer for a battery symbol next to it. If you can see a battery symbol next to the USB-C port you also have a winner. Finally, Thunderbolt 3 ports all support power delivery which can be identified by a lightning symbol next to the port.
How do I enable charging? ›Ensure Charge Mode Is Enabled
If you're charging via your laptop or other device you need to make sure the charging feature is turned on and has not been accidentally disabled. Head to Settings > Connected devices > USB preferences. On the list of options, make sure the Charge connected device toggle is enabled.
A common way to identify the USB version is to see what colour the inner plastic part of the connection is. White indicates USB 1.0, black USB 2.0, and a blue USB port is USB 3.0.
How do I know if my laptop is USB-C enabled? ›Next to the ports on a Windows laptop, you'll find symbols/logo that show you what you can do with a particular port. Is there a symbol of a lightning bolt (Thunderbolt 3) next to the USB-C port? Then you can use this port to charge and to transfer a video signal.
How do I transfer files from computer to USB Type-C? ›- Step 1: Connect PCs Using USB Cable. ...
- Step 2: Choose Installation Type. ...
- Step 3: Run 'Devmgmt.msc” ...
- Step 4: Install Transfer Software. ...
- Step 5: Launch Program On Both PCs. ...
- Step 6: Move Files From One PC to Second PC.
Use an Expansion Card to Add Rear Ports
If your motherboard has any open PCI-Express slots, you can use an expansion card to add USB-C ports to the rear of the PC. This requires taking off the outer case, removing the corresponding expansion tab, and then installing the new card directly to the motherboard.
Open File Explorer from the taskbar. Select View > Options > Change folder and search options. Select the View tab and, in Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives and OK.
How do I see my C drive in Windows 10? ›
See drives in Windows 11, 10, and 8
If you're running Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8, you can view all mounted drives in File Explorer. You can open File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E . In the left pane, select This PC, and all drives are shown on the right.
- Click Start. , click All Programs, and then click Windows Update. ...
- Click Check for updates.
- To determine whether updated drivers are available, click View available updates. If updates are available, click the driver that you want to install, and then click Install.
USB C flash drives with just a USB C port are adequate for folks with modern laptops and smartphones. However, most desktop PCs still don't have a USB C port, and USB C to A adapters will reduce the transfer speed drastically. So, your best option is to look for USB C flash drives with a USB 3.0 or higher USB A port.
How do I enable USB-C charging on my PC? ›You will also want to watch your USB-C power mode, which you can find in your laptop settings, usually in the power/battery section. Here, you may find that you can switch Type-C's output, choosing whether to receive power or send power.
How do I get my USB to show up on my computer? ›- Open Device Manager and then disconnect the USB device from your computer. Wait a few moments and then reconnect the device. ...
- Connect the USB device to another USB port.
- Connect the USB device to another computer.
- Update the USB device drivers.
Connect one end of a USB-C to USB-C cable to the USB-C port on the monitor and the other end to the USB-C port on a computer. In this connection, you can use the microphone of the monitor. Connect other cables such as power cables for the monitor and computer and then power on the monitor and computer.
How do I display my USB-C? ›Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into the USB-C port on your Surface. Take the video cable that's connected to your external display or TV, and then plug the other end of it into the adapter. The cable to use depends on your display and the type of video connection it uses—DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA.
Can a USB Type-C cable be used with a normal USB charger? ›Yes. USB Type-C is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices. However, you'll need an adapter because the USB Type-C connector has a different shape to the connectors on USB 2.0 and 3.0 cables.
How do I know if my laptop is charging through USB-C? ›Next to the ports on a Windows laptop, you'll find symbols/logo that show you what you can do with a particular port. Is there a symbol of a lightning bolt (Thunderbolt 3) next to the USB-C port? Then you can use this port to charge and to transfer a video signal.
How do I update my USB drivers? ›From Windows Explorer, open Computer Management. In the Computer Management left pane, select Device Manager. In the Device Manager right pane, locate and expand Portable Devices or Other Devices, depending on which one you see. Right-click the name of the device you connected, and then select Update Driver Software.
How do I fix USB device not recognized in Windows 10? ›
- Step 1: Test the Drive. ...
- Step 2: Find new hardware icon. ...
- Step 3: Find Drive. ...
- Step 4: If not found, Find drive in Disk Management. ...
- Step 5: Open Device Manager. ...
- Step 6: Uninstall unwanted icons. ...
- Step 7: Reboot.
USB-C connections allow the monitor to serve multiple functions that previously needed to be performed by the laptop. All of your peripheral equipment plugs into the monitor — which also offers quick charging, without the need for that bulky power brick that used to connect your laptop to the mains.
What does a USB-C port on a monitor do? ›With a USB-C connection, you can power your display through a laptop or vice versa. Streaming from a laptop to your display is a lot easier without an extra power cord or adapter to worry about, too.
Do all USB-C ports support monitors? ›But while the USB-C standard supports connecting DisplayPort and/or HDMI displays with an adapter (via the DisplayPort-over-USB protocol), not every PC maker has connected the ports to every system's graphics hardware. Some USB-C ports on a system may support video-out connectivity, while others may not; or none may.
What does a USB-C port look like on a laptop? ›You can identify a USB-C PD port by just its features. First of all, it has to be a USB-C connector which is significantly different from older USB versions. It basically has rounded corners as opposed to the right-angled ones on USB-A connectors. This port and its connectors also work whichever way you plug them in.
What is the difference between USB and USB-C? ›A subtle difference between USB-A and USB-C comes in their design. USB-A is a uni-directional input (how many times have you flipped a USB-A cable before finding the right direction to plug into your device?) while USB-C is reversible, meaning there is no right or wrong way to plug it into your device.