Question USB-C hub issue

[Kurgan2]

My wife needed a few extra USB ports on the front of her desktop, and she has an unused USB-C port, so I bought her a hub that plugs into the USB-C port and provides 4 regular USB ports. But when I plug a thumb drive into the hub, it doesn't show up on the computer. It does show if I plug it directly into a normal USB port on the computer. Same with the dongle for her trackball. Works normally, doesn't show when plugged into the hub.

I've actually now tried 2 hubs that plug into the USB-C, so I'm fairly sure it's not the hub. Unfortunately, I don't have anything that can plug directly into the USB-C, so can't be certain the port isn't the problem, but do you guys have any suggestions on what might be the issue?

 

[Misgar]

What is the brand and model number of the USB-C hub.
Is it cheap and cheerful, or an expensive branded product.
Does the hub have a USB-C PD power lead input?
Is there a USB-C port on the rear panel of the computer?

I've used several Inateck hubs and disk caddies with good results.

https://www.inateck.com/collections/usb-hub/products/inateck-usb-c-hub-with-4-usb-type-a-3-0-ports

https://www.inateck.com/collections...-gen-2-hub-with-usb-c-to-4-usb-a-ports-hb2025

https://www.inateck.com/collections/usb-hub

You could buy a USB-C tester to check the port(s) on the desktop.

https://www.amazon.com/MakerHawk-Vo...689950687&sprefix=usb-c+tester,aps,173&sr=8-6

 

[Paperdoc]

My guess is that the USB Type C port on the front panel is NOT connected to any mobo USB header.

USB Type C sockets on a front panel need to be connected to a mobo USB header. It is MUCH preferred to do that with a USB 3.2 header, NOT an older USB 2 header. To do that the case normally has a cable coming down from that front panel to plug into a mobo header.

The cable may be either of two types. One type has a standard USB 3.2 header connector on it to plug into a mobo header that may be called "USB3" or USB3.1" or USB 3.2 Gen1" or USB 3.2 Gen2 or "USB 3.2 Gen 2x2". For the first four of those, the header has 19 pins (2 rows of 10 each with one pin missing) in a surrounding collar, and contains TWO USB 3.2 ports of Gen1 or Gen2 version. Thus the cable normally connects to TWO front panel sockets, whether Type A or Type C. On older mobos there may not be ANY USB 3.2 header, but most mobos for many years have them.

The other type has a very different connector that looks like the very wide multi-contact lower one on the end of this cable

It must plug into a new mobo header called Type E which normally contains ONE port of the fastest USB 3.2 Gen2x2 variety and thus connects to only ONE front panel Type C socket. Now, many mobos do NOT have that header built in, so a case with this type of front socket and cable cannot plug the cable into any mobo header, and is useless in that form.

So, you need to look inside your case and find the cable coming down from the front panel. Where is it plugged in, if at all? IF it is the second type with the Type E connector on the end and you do not have such a mobo header, you can get an adapter to convert one unused mobo more-common USB 3.2 header (the 19-pin kind), like this

https://www.amazon.ca/JoyReken-Vertical-Socket-Header-Adapter/dp/B08TW9S7B3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=O9T6NZ4VB1NZ&keywords=usb+3.2+header+adapter&qid=1689953338&s=electronics&sprefix=usb+3+2+header+adapter%2Celectronics%2C96&sr=1-3

It plugs into a mobo 19-pin header and converts that to a Type E mobo socket you can use to plug in that cable type. This will still supply only one USB 3.2 front panel socket, and its version will be either Gen1 or Gen 2, depending on your mobo header version. But that WILL work as a normal USB 3.2 port.

 

[Kurgan2]

It's a cheap one, no power connector, Acodot USB C Hub. I'll take a look at the cables tomorrow, thanks for the replies.

 

[Paperdoc]

As you have tested it, cheap with no power supply of its own should NOT have caused what you describe. Unless, of course, "cheap" happens to mean "defective from the start". However, once you do get it connected to a working USB3.2 port, you WILL have a problem if you try to use several USB devices that need power. For example a "laptop hard drive" will require ALL the power available from one USB 3.2 port. That Hub you have means that the only power available to share for ALL of its output sockets is what is supplied by the host port. So you will be able to use several of its sockets only if most or all of them are low-power devices like keyboards, mice, etc. What does your wife plan to plug in there?

 

[Misgar]

A decent portable USB3.2 hub will have a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) 100W input, capable of powering umpteen peripherals. I've only used one on a laptop, not a desktop, so I can't vouch for this scenario. I'm sure other powered USB3.2 hubs exist, suitable for desktop use. They might not be cheap though.