How to determine whether a USB 3.0 device is operating at SuperSpeed?

USB 3.0 introduces a new operating speed called SuperSpeed. Compared to USB ii.0 bandwidth of 480 Mbps, SuperSpeed supports 5.0 Gbps making it 10 times faster than USB 2.0. USB 3.0 as well supports lower operating speeds: high speed, full speed, and low speed. Along with increased bandwidth, USB iii.0 host controllers and devices come with the promise of compatibility. USB 3.0 controllers are required to piece of work with all existing USB devices. The fact that current PCs ship with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports presents an interesting challenge: how should you lot determine whether a USB 3.0 device is indeed operating at SuperSpeed?

Hither are some ways to determine the operating speed of the USB device. Each is explained in more detail in the respective sections below:

  • Make certain that you have USB 3.0-capable hardware

  • View device data in Device Manager

  • Use USBView to view the autobus speed

  • Follow the troubleshooting steps listed below

Brand sure that you have USB 3.0-capable hardware

Typically, newer PCs with USB 3.0 support have both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 controllers, and both those ports are exposed. The receptacles on USB three.0 ports are normally blue to distinguish from the receptacles on USB 2.0 ports, which are black. So, if the PC has a blue port, that is a practiced indication of USB 3.0 support. Annotation this is not a requirement of the official USB specification, rather a convention adopted by some PC makers.

Figure one shows a typical USB 2.0 port on the right hand side with a black receptacle, and a typical USB 3.0 port on the left side, with a blueish receptacle.

Effigy 1. USB 3.0 port with a bluish receptacle, USB 2.0 port with a blackness receptacle.

Attributed to Bubba73 at English Wikipedia , via Wikimedia Commons

Effigy 2 shows the USB 2.0 logo.

Figure 2. USB two.0 logo

Effigy three shows the USB 3.0 logo.

Figure 3. USB three.0 logo

You should also expect for the logo on USB iii.0 devices and cables.

Effigy 4 shows the USB 3.0 logo on the connector of a USB iii.0 cable.

Figure 4 USB iii.0 logo on USB 3.0 cable.

Past smial (Ain work), GFDL ane.ii , via Wikimedia Commons

View device information in Device Manager

Next, confirm that Windows enumerated the host controller equally a USB 3.0 controller. To confirm that, open Device Director and locate the controller under the Universal Serial Bus controllers node. If Windows recognized it as a USB three.0 controller, USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller is appended to the device clarification as shown in Figure 5.

Figure five. USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller in Device Manager

Apply USBTreeView to view device information about the bus speed

USBView is a tool from Microsoft. More information on the tool can be found in the USBView article on Microsoft'south website.

USBTreeView is as well available for download directly from the following link. USBTreeView in this release has been updated to brandish SuperSpeed information.

Figure 6 shows a USB iii.0 device operating at SuperSpeed in USBView.

Figure vi. USBView – Bulletin for a USB 3.0 device that is operating at SuperSpeed

Check Capture OEM

When a USB three.0 camera is connected to a USB 2.0 port, Capture OEM will display a "WARNING: REDUCED LINK SPEED" error, every bit seen in the following screenshot.

If you see this fault, please confirm that your computer is connected to a USB 3.0 port. Next, review the troubleshooting steps beneath.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few things to endeavour if you lot notice that your USB 3.0 device is capable of operating at SuperSpeed but is operating a lower bus speed:

  • Make certain that you practice not have a USB 2.0 hub between the device and the PC. That is because USB 3.0 devices that are fastened to a USB 2.0 hub can only operate at loftier speed. In this case, either switch to a USB 3.0 hub or attach the device directly to the USB 3.0 port on the PC.

  • Ensure that the USB 3.0 hub that your device is attached to appears correctly in Device Manager.  For sure unsupported USB 3.0 hubs, Windows may disable the SuperSpeed portion of the hub and report it equally "Not Functional" in Device Managing director.

Effigy vii shows a not-functional hub in Device Manager.

Figure 7. SuperSpeed USB Hub is not functional

  • Make sure that the cablevision that is used to connect the device is a USB 3.0 cablevision. It is also possible that the USB three.0 cablevision has signal integrity issues. In that instance, the device might switch to high speed. If that happens, you must modify the USB three.0 cable.

  • Update the firmware for the USB iii.0 device by obtaining the latest version from the manufacturer site. Some USB 3.0 device manufacturers release fixes, for bugs found in the device, equally firmware updates.

  • Update the firmware for the USB 3.0 controller by obtaining the latest version from the manufacturer site. Some USB three.0 controller manufacturers release fixes, for bugs establish in the controller, every bit firmware updates.

  • Update the BIOS for your system by obtaining the latest version from the manufacturer.  On some motherboards, the BIOS can incorrectly route a device that is connected to a USB 3.0 controller to a USB 2.0 controller. That incorrect routing allows the USB three.0 device to operate at high speed but not at SuperSpeed. A BIOS update might ready such a problem.