General Questions About TP-Link USB Hub

If you're experiencing charging, connectivity, compatibility, or performance issues with your TP-Link USB Hub, this FAQ provides answers to the most common questions and troubleshooting steps for USB Hubs.

Key Takeaways

• Verify that the USB hub receives sufficient power before troubleshooting charging or recognition issues.
• Use USB 3.0 cables and ports to achieve optimal data transfer performance.
• Confirm that connected devices do not exceed the hub's available power budget.
• Keep 2.4 GHz wireless receivers away from active USB 3.0 ports to reduce interference.
• Test devices directly on the host computer to isolate USB hub and peripheral issues.

Part 1. Charging and Power Supply Related Issues

Q1: What’s the Power Supply of the USB Hub?

Here is the specifications of the UH700 and UH720 Series:

Q2: Can I Use the Hub Without the Power Adapter Plugged In?

For UH700 V1 and UH720 V1, the power adapter must be plugged in.

For UH700 V2/V3 and UH720 V2/V3, you can use them without the power adapter. In this case, the power button will no longer work as a power switch. The hub must be connected to the host PC's USB port to receive power.

Q3: What Is the Difference Between External-Powered and Self-Powered Storage Drives?

External-powered storage drives require an additional power supply to ensure stable operation and higher performance. Self-powered storage drives draw power directly from the host device and do not require external power, but their performance may be limited, especially when multiple devices are connected.

Q4: Why Can't the Port of the USB Hub Charge My Device?

Step 1. Please ensure the hub is powered by the power adapter and the power light is on.

Step 2. Switch to another port to try.

Step 3. The upstream port of the USB hub must be connected to a host PC so that it can charge the Apple devices properly, which is determined by the unique power supply design of Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.).

The following table explains how to check whether UH700 or UH720 requires the upstream port to be connected to the host PC while charging.

Q5: What Should I Do if I’m Suffering the Offline Issue?

The power consumption of the connected devices may exceed the power supply. Please unplug some connected devices and confirm whether the offline problem is resolved.

Part 2. Port and Basic Compatibility Issues

Q1: What Device Can Be Plugged into the Upstream Port of the USB Hub?

Any PC with an operating system such as Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux systems.

Q2: What Devices Can Be Plugged into the Output Port of the USB Hub?

You could plug any device into the USB hub as long as it can be connected to and recognized by the PC.
Note: The maximum power cannot exceed its output supply.

Q3: Do I Need to Install a Driver for the USB Hub?

No driver is needed. The USB Hub is plug-and-play.

Q4: Can I Connect a USB 2.0 Device to the USB 3.0 Port of the USB Hub?

Yes, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1.

Q5: Is There Any Limitation on the Length of USB 3.0 Cable?

A USB cable that is too long will affect USB communication quality. We recommend using the original USB 3.0 cable or a USB 3.0 cable under 3 meters.

Q6: Does the USB Hub Support Hot-plugging?

Yes, our USB Hub supports hot plugging. However, when you want to remove your device from the USB Hub, we strongly suggest you first eject it from the PC to avoid data loss.

Part 3. Transmission Performance Related Issues

Q1: Why Can't I Get 5 Gbps Speed Even When I Am Using USB 3.0 Connection?

5 Gbps is the theoretical speed of USB 3.0. In practice, depending on the type of USB 3.0 device, you may get different USB 3.0 data transfer speeds.

Q2: Why Is the Transfer Speed So Slow When the USB 3.0 Device Is Connected to a USB Hub?

Step 1. Connect the USB 3.0 device directly to the PC and test its transfer speed for a comparison. If the result is still slow, the issue may be with the USB 3.0 device or the PC.

Step 2. Try to plug the USB device into other ports on the USB Hub. If there are other devices connected to the USB Hub, please unplug them first.

Step 3. Confirm the USB cable is a USB 3.0 cable. If you are using an adapter, make sure it is a USB 3.0 adapter.

Step 4. Try connecting other USB 3.0 devices to the USB hub and run a comparison test.

Q3: How to Tell the Difference Between USB 2.0 And USB 3.0.

A. Generally, the plastic piece in the socket is blue in USB 3.0, while it’s black in USB 2.0.
B. USB 3.0 has 9 copper pins on the plastic piece, which are divided into 2 rows (the first row has 4 pins and the second row has 5 pins), while USB 2.0 only has 4 copper pins.

Q4: What Should I Do if the SD/TF Card Speed Is Slow?

Ensure the SD/TF card slot on the USB Hub is clean and free of debris, and that the card's metal contacts are clean. You may gently clean the card’s metal contacts using an eraser.

Part 4. Common Troubleshooting Issues

Q1: What Should I Do If I’m Suffering the Offline Issue?

The power consumption of the connected devices may exceed the power supply. Please try unplugging some connected devices and confirm whether the offline issue is resolved.

Q2: Why Does My Wireless Mouse (2.4GHz Wireless or Bluetooth Device) Become Unstable When It’s Besides the USB Hub?

When the USB 3.0 ports on the hub are in use, the hub can generate significant noise or interference on the 2.4GHz band. This noise can affect wireless mouse receivers and cause instability. Please refer to the article below for more details on this well-known issue.

The PDF of USB 3.0* Radio Frequency Interference Impact on 2.4 GHz Wireless Devices
Keep 2.4 GHz wireless or Bluetooth devices, such as a mouse, as far away as possible from the USB hub to avoid interference.

Q3: What Can I Do if My USB Device Is Not Recognized by the PC When It’s Connected to the USB Hub?

Step 1. Try connecting the USB device directly to the PC. If the USB device still isn't recognized, the issue isn't caused by the USB Hub.
For Windows, refer to the link:
https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/usb-device-not-recognized/
For MAC OS, refer to the link:
https://appletoolbox.com/2017/03/mac-macbook-doesnt-recognize-external-drives-troubleshooting-tips/
If the USB device can be recognized by the PC, please go to step 2.

Step 2. Try plugging the USB device into other ports on the USB Hub. Do not connect a USB device to the charging port of UH720, as it cannot recognize devices.
If only one port can’t recognize the device, the port may be damaged.
If all USB ports can’t recognize the device, go to step 3.

Step 3. Try plugging other USB devices into the USB Hub. If none of the devices are recognized, try connecting the USB hub to another PC.

Q4: What Should I Do If the SD/TF Card Is Not Recognized?

1. Please make sure your host device (such as a phone or laptop) supports OTG. You may confirm this with the device manufacturer.

2. Try inserting the SD/TF card into the USB Hub first, then connect the hub to the host device.

3. If the card is still not recognized, please contact TP-Link Technical Support via phone or email.

Q5: What Should I Do If the USB Hub Is Overheating?

The normal operating temperature of the USB Hub is 0°C–40°C, and it should not exceed 55°C under full load. If the hub becomes unusually hot, disconnect all connected devices and reconnect them one by one to identify the cause. If the issue persists, please contact TP-Link Technical Support via phone or email.