I've been dealing with a frustrating issue for a few years where my PC freezes when I plug and unplug USB devices while playing specific games like Dota and Elden Ring. Oddly enough, it doesn't happen with other games like Hearthstone or Dark Souls Remastered, and it seems rare with non-gaming software. I've tried updating all my drivers and BIOS, but nothing seems to work. My setup is pretty solid—I've got an Intel i9 9900K, a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, and a couple of SSDs, but the hardware isn't perfect since my RAM isn't optimally seated. I'm running on Windows 10 with the following specs:
- GPU: Geforce RTX 2080 Ti (Zotac edition)
- SSD: Intenso 500 GB (system storage), WD 1 TB, WD BLACK NVME SN850X
- Cooler: NZXT Kraken X72 (RGB not functioning, probably another USB issue)
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 2 x 8
- Motherboard: MSI Z390-A PRO
- PSU: Cooler Master GX III Gold 750W.
I'm really desperate for help with this!
1 Answer
Have you checked which USB device you're unplugging? Sometimes the specific port you're using can cause issues. Are you using a hub, or just the motherboard's USB ports? Certain combinations of hardware can lead to freezes, so it's worth investigating those specifics. Let us know what device you're plugging in and the exact ports you're using!
I switched USB ports around too, but it didn't help. I usually use the motherboard's built-in USB, and I've noticed that any device I plug in and out causes the freezes.