jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I often have problems with USB hubs. In order to avoid stringing smaller ones together, I bought one with sixteen ports. I can turn each port on and off individually, and it plugs into 110v. The problem is that it occasionally loses contact, and my devices don't work. My cordless mouse stopped working, so I plugged the mouse transmitter into the computer, using up one of the two free front ports.

I originally had the 16-port hub plugged into a smaller hub, and it worked fine for a few days. But then, I got that constant beep-beep when a device connects and disconnects. Right now, it's plugged into the computer via a USB extension cord - another weak point.

So many devices require a USB connection, but they come with very short cables, so connecting them to a computer - if you have a dozen or more ports - isn't possible. Extension cords are a definite weak point. When I lose contact on one of my hubs, I have to unplug a re-plug the extension cord.

You can't tell the quality by appearance or price, so it's a guessing game. I have a cheap Amazon Basics four-port hub that has always worked fine, provided it gets a good signal from the other hub through the extension cord.

USB hubs are so important that they should be better and easier to us.

FYI - I need three ports for external backup drives, four for printers, one each for kbd and mouse, a light over my monitor. That's ten, and there are probably other devices I'm forgetting. By the way, labeling both ends of each cable is a fantastic timesaver. I use a label maker to do that.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I've been using a 4 port powered hub on a 6 foot extension for 8 months so far.
Works great.
The hub itself is 1.4 years old.
(My dual hard drive dock is in one of those ports.)

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Jerry, maybe you are buying the wrong brand. I have 4 usb hubs from the brand Atolla and have never had a problem... I bought a medium one with about 6 ports years ago and it worked well, so when I needed a bigger one I bought two 11 port ones, one just for equipment (never gets turned off), and another one for various backup drives (turned off when not in use). I also bought a very small one to go in my laptop bag for travel. They all still work like new. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DN7Y7XC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

My 4 port powered hub is by IO Gear, $30 when I bought it. Built like a tank.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Often the USB connection are weakened by their constant use. Since they are mass produced you can’t tell when one is good and one that is shoddy. You could stiffen them by using a spring from a click pen or vinyl electric tape.

If you have the ability and time in soldering you could attach 120 USB ports in a row.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

There are so many meaningless brand names. By coincidence, the new 16-port is Atolla. I like the idea of one that will take a lot of connections rather than having a lot of small hubs. As long as the Atolla is plugged into 110v, the lights are lit, but I can't tell by looking if the USB ports are working.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

16 ports??????
So far for my 4 port expander I've only used 3 at the most one time. (2 USB memory fobs at once) Only the drive dock is plugged in all the time.
Keyboard/mouse wireless, printer/scanner, are in the back of the computer as is the extension cable for the 4-port expander. The computer has 3 more USB ports on the front (external HDD and CD drive as needed, not left plugged in.)

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I suppose the manufacturers of computers won't increase the number of ports. The bigger the load, the slower the processing time. I have 3 external hard drives (as I don't want photos on my computer), then the dongle for the mouse and keyboard, then one for copying music to USB for the car (I hate Sirius XM). I'm not asking for 19, but 6 would be great. You can't even option for additional from some companies.

BebuLamar

I use 2 USB in the back of the computer for a permanent connection. The mouse and the audio interface. Other stuff I use the front ports but they are not permanently connected. But I do connect a lot of stuff there. One or two at a time. USB to RS-232, USB based oscilloscope, thumb drive, external HDD etc..

ddgm Loc: Hamilton, Ontario & Fort Myers, FL

My Dell XPS 8940 Has 6 USB ports on the back and 4 on the front. I use 4 on the back, keyboard/mouse, scanner, printer, 1 TB MY Passport and a 2TB MY Passport on the front always plugged in. The other 2 on the front are used for transferring to flash drives .

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, 4 on the back of mine are "permanent", similar peripherals, including an extension to a powered 4-port on the other side of the desk. My 4 on the front of the computer are for "as needed".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Oh, yeah, I forgot about the scanner. Add that to the list of ports needed. Right now, I am using fifteen ports. That included those on the rear and front of the computer and two hubs. The four printers are connected to a four-port hub which is connected to just one port on the rear of the computer. If you're wondering why I have four printers connected, it's because I don't have any place to put the other two. 🤣

BebuLamar

I guess using these hubs will slow the communication down as the hub uses only 1 port to make several ports thus the traffic must be sharing.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

WOW....
I have 11 USB ports available:
1. mouse/keyboard wireless USB dongle
2. printer/scanner
3. extension to powered 4-port adapter
4. Dual HDD dock (in the expander).

One spare in the back of the computer;
Three spares on the front of the computer
Three spares in the expander.

External pocket drives; CD drive; portable scanner; phone; USB fobs are only plugged in when I use them.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Sometimes I have a problem with a usb port on my desktop where the card reader or Xrite i1Display Pro monitor calibrator. No power to them. I have to unplug & replug it back in & then all is good. I have four ports in the front of the computer so don't have to pull the desk out some & follow the cable down into that tight mess of cables to do the task. That leaves 2 easy access ports for easy connection of an external drive or??? Win 10 updates don't help. Keeps turning off my front headphones jack.