Question:

How to troubleshoot USB switch compatibility with Asrock X570 Taichi motherboard?

I have a USB switch that allows me to share a keyboard and mouse between two systems and a raspberry pi. The USB switch is this model: [USB switch wireless remote](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selector-Switcher-Computers-Keyboard-included-USB-switch-wireless-remote/dp/B09993VRPG).

The systems have Asrock X570 Taichi and Asrock B550 Extreme4 motherboards respectively. The USB switch worked fine until recently, when the keyboard and mouse stopped working on the X570 system before the OS was loaded. This prevented me from accessing the BIOS or the GRUB boot menu.

I tried replacing the USB switch with another one, but the problem persisted. I also downgraded the BIOS and checked the BIOS settings on both systems, but nothing changed. The keyboard is wired and the LED indicators only light up after the OS is booted.

What could be causing this issue and how can I fix it?

Answer:

USB switches are convenient devices that allow you to share peripherals such as keyboards and mice between multiple computers. However, sometimes they may cause compatibility issues with certain motherboards or BIOS settings, resulting in the peripherals not working properly before the operating system is loaded. This can be frustrating if you need to access the BIOS or the boot menu of your system.

In this article, we will explore some possible causes and solutions for this problem, using the example of an Asrock X570 Taichi motherboard and a USB switch wireless remote. We will also provide some general tips on how to troubleshoot USB switch compatibility issues with other motherboards and devices.

Possible causes

There are several factors that may affect the compatibility of a USB switch with a motherboard, such as:

• The USB switch model and firmware version
• The motherboard model and BIOS version
• The BIOS settings related to USB ports and devices
• The type and number of peripherals connected to the USB switch
• The power supply and cable quality of the USB switch and the peripherals

In our example, the user reported that the USB switch worked fine until recently, when the keyboard and mouse stopped working on the X570 system before the OS was loaded. This suggests that something changed either on the USB switch or on the motherboard that caused the issue.

One possible cause is that the USB switch firmware was updated or corrupted, which may have introduced some bugs or incompatibilities with the X570 motherboard. Another possible cause is that the motherboard BIOS was updated or reset, which may have changed some settings that affect the USB ports and devices.

Possible solutions

To fix the issue, we need to identify the source of the problem and apply the appropriate solution. Here are some steps that we can follow to troubleshoot the USB switch compatibility issue:

• Check the USB switch firmware and update it if needed. Some USB switches have firmware that can be updated to improve performance and compatibility. You can check the firmware version of your USB switch by connecting it to a computer and using a software tool provided by the manufacturer. If there is a newer firmware available, you can download it and install it on your USB switch following the instructions from the manufacturer. This may solve the issue if the firmware was outdated or corrupted.
• Check the motherboard BIOS and update it if needed. The motherboard BIOS is the software that controls the basic functions of the hardware, such as the USB ports and devices. Sometimes, the BIOS may have bugs or incompatibilities that affect the USB switch functionality. You can check the BIOS version of your motherboard by entering the BIOS setup menu during the boot process. If there is a newer BIOS available, you can download it and install it on your motherboard following the instructions from the manufacturer. This may solve the issue if the BIOS was outdated or reset.
• Check the BIOS settings related to USB ports and devices. The BIOS settings may have options that affect the USB ports and devices, such as the USB legacy support, the USB power delivery, the USB port speed, and the USB device initialization. You can access these settings by entering the BIOS setup menu during the boot process. You may need to consult the motherboard manual or the manufacturer website for the specific options and values for your model. You can try to enable or disable the USB legacy support, which allows the BIOS to recognize older USB devices. You can also try to adjust the USB power delivery, which controls the amount of power supplied to the USB ports and devices. You can also try to change the USB port speed, which determines the data transfer rate of the USB ports. You can also try to change the USB device initialization, which determines the order and priority of the USB devices detected by the BIOS. These settings may affect the compatibility and functionality of the USB switch and the peripherals connected to it.
• Check the type and number of peripherals connected to the USB switch. The type and number of peripherals connected to the USB switch may also affect the compatibility and functionality of the USB switch and the motherboard. Some peripherals may require more power or bandwidth than others, which may overload the USB switch or the USB port. Some peripherals may also interfere with each other or with the USB switch, causing conflicts or errors. You can try to reduce the number of peripherals connected to the USB switch, or use different types of peripherals, such as wired or wireless, or USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. You can also try to connect the peripherals directly to the motherboard USB ports, bypassing the USB switch, to see if they work properly. This may help you isolate the problem and identify the problematic peripheral or the USB switch.
• Check the power supply and cable quality of the USB switch and the peripherals. The power supply and cable quality of the USB switch and the peripherals may also affect the compatibility and functionality of the USB switch and the motherboard. Some USB switches may require external power sources, such as AC adapters or USB power cables, to function properly. Some peripherals may also require external power sources, such as batteries or chargers, to function properly. You can try to use different power sources or cables for the USB switch and the peripherals, or check if they are properly connected and working. You can also try to use high-quality power sources and cables that meet the specifications and standards of the USB switch and the peripherals. This may prevent power issues or signal interference that may cause the USB switch or the peripherals to malfunction.

General tips

Here are some general tips on how to troubleshoot USB switch compatibility issues with other motherboards and devices:

• Read the user manuals and the manufacturer websites of the USB switch and the motherboard. The user manuals and the manufacturer websites may provide useful information and instructions on how to use and troubleshoot the USB switch and the motherboard. They may also provide firmware updates, BIOS updates, software tools, and customer support that may help you solve the issue.
• Use the latest drivers and software for the USB switch and the motherboard. The drivers and software are the programs that allow the USB switch and the motherboard to communicate and function properly. Sometimes, the drivers and software may have bugs or incompatibilities that affect the USB switch functionality. You can check the driver and software versions of your USB switch and your motherboard by using the device manager or the software tool provided by the manufacturer. If there are newer drivers or software available, you can download them and install them on your USB switch and your motherboard following the instructions from the manufacturer. This may solve the issue if the drivers or software were outdated or corrupted.
• Test the USB switch and the motherboard with other devices. The USB switch and the motherboard may work fine with some devices, but not with others. This may indicate that the issue is specific to certain devices, rather than the USB switch or the motherboard. You can try to test the USB switch and the motherboard with other devices, such as other computers, keyboards, mice, or USB switches. You can also try to test the devices that cause the issue with other USB switches or motherboards. This may help you determine if the issue is caused by the USB switch, the motherboard, or the device.

Conclusion

USB

switch compatibility issues with motherboards can be annoying and frustrating, but they can be solved with some troubleshooting steps and tips. In this article, we discussed some possible causes and solutions for the USB switch compatibility issue with the Asrock X570 Taichi motherboard, using the example of a USB switch wireless remote. We also provided some general tips on how to troubleshoot USB switch compatibility issues with other motherboards and devices. We hope that this article was helpful and informative, and that you were able to fix the issue and enjoy using your USB switch and your motherboard..