USB ports, just like everything in your PC, may occasionally stop working. However, what you might not know about them is that quite often USB ports don’t break down for good. In many situations the problem comes from software or firmware (drivers) and not the hardware itself. So, if one of your USB ports has suddenly failed to work properly, here’s what you need to do to find out what’s wrong with it and maybe fix the problem.


Check if it’s a hardware problem
The first thing that you need to clarify is whether the USB port is physically damaged or there’s something else wrong with it.

The simplest way to examine it is to insert your USB device in the port and see: either it fits in or wiggles (try to wiggle it slowly so that you don’t cause the hardware problem yourself).
If you think that it wiggles, but you’re still not sure, try plugging it into a port that you know is functioning; repeat the experiment and if in the second case it fits perfectly, then you most likely have a physical problem. In theory you can fix that too, but you will need to search YouTube for a tutorial on how to go about it and find the right tools or seek professional assistance.
In case the USB device wiggled in all the ports you’ve tried it, it may be the device fault.
If you’ve determined that the hardware isn’t defective, try restarting your PC.
In case that didn’t work, proceed to the next chapter.

Full article available here:
http://www.bestawareness.com/how-to-repair-your-pc-usb-ports/