5-Port USB 3.1 PCIe Card - 1x USB-C (10Gbps), 2x USB-A (5Gbps) + 1x 2-Port IDC (5Gbps)

Questions & Answers

How do I install a StarTech.com USB card in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows 11?
Install the StarTech.com USB card by downloading the latest drivers from StarTech.com Support, extracting the downloaded ZIP file, running setup.exe as an administrator, and following the installation prompts. Explanation : Before installing the StarTech.com USB card, make sure Windows is up to date, including the most recent applicable service pack. Download the latest drivers from StarTech.com Support at www.startech.com/Support . Use the product ID printed on the product packaging to locate the correct drivers. Windows typically saves downloaded files in the Downloads folder associated with your user account, such as C:Users username Downloads. After the driver download is complete: Right-click the downloaded ZIP folder and select Extract All . Follow the prompts to extract the files. In the extracted files, right-click setup.exe and select Run as administrator . Follow the installation instructions to install the device drivers. Restart the computer when prompted. If Run as administrator is not available, make sure the files have been extracted from the ZIP folder before running setup.exe. After the driver installation and any required restart are complete, the StarTech.com USB card should be ready to use.

Why does my USB device stop working after my computer wakes back up from sleep mode in Windows?
If the USB device does not work after your computer has been in extended hibernation, it is likely that Windows has automatically turned off the USB Root hub to save power. The steps below outline how to configure the USB root hub to stay on during hibernation, to prevent this from happening. Windows 10 / 8 On your keyboard, press the Windows key + X and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows 7 / Vista Click the Start button and select Control Panel . Click Hardware and Sound , then click Power Options . Click Change plan settings for the plan you want to change. Click Change advanced power settings . Click the plus sign (+) next to “USB settings” and “USB selective suspend setting” to expand the options and change the setting to Disabled . Click OK to apply the setting. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection. Windows XP On your desktop, right-click the My Computer icon and select Properties . Click the Device Manager tab. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the arrow to the left of it. Right-click the first USB Root Hub device and select Properties . Click the Power Management tab. Clear the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power . Click OK to apply the setting. Repeat steps 4-7 for any remaining devices in the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section with “ Root Hub ” in the name. Note : You may need to disconnect and re-connect your USB device after applying these settings to re-establish the connection.

Everything is hooked up but nothing is working. What should I do? (Windows)
When you troubleshoot issues with a USB controller card, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue: USB cables USB devices USB controller card To test your setup components, try the following: Use the USB cable, device, and controller card in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup. Use a different USB cable, device, and controller card in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup. When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following: Test each cable individually. Use short cables when you are testing. When you test the USB device and controller card, it is recommended that you do the following: Press the Windows key + R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter to open Device Manager . Check to see if your device is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers . If you do not see the USB controller card listed in Device Manager please see this FAQ: https://www.startech.com/en-us/faq/pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows . If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers.

What do I do if I am not achieving USB 3.1 speeds with my USB 3.1 device?
If your setup components support USB 3.1 but you are experiencing slower transfer speeds than you expected, consider the following: A USB host connection with multiple USB 3.1 ports might not be able to support 10Gbps on each port simultaneously. The type of port on a device does not determine whether the device is capable of USB 3.1 speeds. A USB-C port might not support USB 3.1 speeds, while USB-A and USB-B ports might support USB 3.1 speeds. Any other devices that you include in your setup, such as an older hard drive in a USB 3.1 enclosure, might create a point of congestion and slow down transfer speeds. To confirm the functionality of your USB host connection, its ports, and any other devices in your setup, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer. Note : USB 3.1 is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps). Devices that support USB 3.1 should have the USB 3.1 symbol on them. If the USB 3.1 symbol does not appear on your USB source or device, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm whether the USB source or device support USB 3.1.

How do I confirm that Windows detects my expansion card?
To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following: Press the Windows key+ R , type devmgmt.msc , and press Enter . In Device Manager , under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it. For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers . Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

How do I confirm that my expansion card is detected by the Mac OS?
To confirm that the Mac OS detects your expansion card, complete the following: Click the Apple icon. Click About This Mac . Click More Info or System Report . Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards . Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

Do I need to connect an additional power cable from my power supply to a StarTech.com USB expansion card?
It depends; a StarTech.com USB expansion card can be powered by the PCI or PCIe slot, but an additional power cable (such as SATA or Molex) is required if connected USB devices exceed the available slot power. Explanation: A StarTech.com USB expansion card draws power from the motherboard through the PCI or PCI Express slot, which is sufficient for many standard USB devices. However, total available power is limited by the slot. Slot-powered operation: Low-power devices such as USB keyboards, mice, and flash drives typically work without additional power. Auxiliary power requirement: High-power devices, such as external hard drives without their own power supply, may exceed slot power limits and require a direct connection to the system power supply (for example, SATA or Molex). Power-related failure symptoms: Insufficient power may cause devices to disconnect, fail to initialize, or not function simultaneously. Troubleshooting requirement: If any of these issues occur, connecting an auxiliary power cable to the USB expansion card is required for stable operation. A StarTech.com USB expansion card will not reliably power high-demand USB devices without sufficient total power from either the PCI/PCIe slot or an additional power connection.

What are the capabilities of USB 3.2 and USB4, and how do they differ from earlier USB standards?
USB 3.2 and USB4 are newer USB standards that provide higher data transfer speeds, improved bandwidth management, and expanded compatibility with modern devices and display technologies. USB 3.2 supports transfer speeds up to 20Gbps, while USB4 supports transfer speeds up to 40Gbps and adds advanced features such as Thunderbolt 3 compatibility on supported devices. Explanation: USB (Universal Serial Bus) standards have evolved over time to support faster data transfer speeds, increased power delivery, and improved compatibility across computers, storage devices, docking stations, displays, and peripherals. The USB naming convention has also changed over multiple revisions, which can cause confusion between older and current terminology. The following table summarizes common USB standards and updated naming conventions: Current USB Name Previous Naming Maximum Transfer Speed USB 2.0 USB 2.0 480Mbps USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 Gen 1 5Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB 3.1 / USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps USB4 USB4 20Gbps Up to 20Gbps USB4 USB4 40Gbps Up to 40Gbps USB4 Version 2.0 Up to 80 Gbps (or asymmetric 120 Gbps) USB4 version 2.0 devices can support even higher bandwidths up to 80Gbps or 120Gbps in specific asymmetric configurations, depending on device support and certification. USB transfer performance depends on all connected components supporting the same standard, including: Host computer or controller USB cable Connected device or peripheral Adapters or docking stations in the connection path USB connector types and USB standards are separate specifications. For example: USB-C is a connector type. USB 3.2 and USB4 are performance and protocol standards. A USB-C connector can support different USB standards depending on the device design. USB4 introduces additional capabilities beyond raw transfer speed, including: Dynamic bandwidth allocation for video and data Support for multiple display protocols Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 devices on supported hardware Improved tunneling for PCIe and DisplayPort traffic USB standards are generally backward compatible, but some limitations apply: USB-C ports require adapters to connect to USB-A or USB-B devices. USB 3.x and USB4 devices connected to older USB ports operate at the lower supported speed. Devices requiring higher power delivery or bandwidth may not function correctly on older USB standards. USB-B SuperSpeed connectors are not physically compatible with USB 2.0 USB-B ports. For maximum performance and compatibility, verify that the host device, cable, and peripheral all support the same USB standard and required feature set.

What is required to transfer data at USB 10Gbps speeds?
To achieve USB 10Gbps data transfer speeds, all components in the connection must support USB 10Gbps performance, including the host port, USB cable, connected device, and any internal subcomponents. Explanation: USB 10Gbps performance requires end-to-end support across the entire connection path, including: The USB host port on the computer or docking station The USB cable The connected USB device Any internal components that affect data throughput, such as storage drives inside a hard drive docking station USB 10Gbps is the current USB-IF naming convention for the specification previously called USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2x1. If any component in the connection only supports lower USB performance levels, the entire connection will operate at the maximum speed supported by the slowest component. To confirm compatibility, check the technical specifications for the USB host port, cable, and connected device. Some devices may display USB SuperSpeed 10Gbps branding or equivalent USB 10Gbps markings.

What is USB-C?
USB-C is a reversible USB connector type that can support data transfer, video output, and power delivery, depending on the capabilities of the connected devices, cables, and host ports. Explanation: USB-C is a physical connector standard used by multiple USB and Thunderbolt technologies. Depending on the supported protocol and hardware, USB-C connections can support: USB data transfer speeds ranging from USB 2.0 up to USB4 performance levels USB 10Gbps, 20Gbps, 40Gbps, and higher data transfer rates, depending on the USB or Thunderbolt specification USB Power Delivery (USB PD) for bidirectional power delivery, including charging support up to 240W with supported devices and cables Alternate Modes, such as DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode), for video output over USB-C Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 functionality on compatible systems Not all USB-C ports, cables, or devices support the same features or performance levels. For example, some USB-C connections may only support charging or basic USB data transfer, while others support video output, high-speed data transfer, or Thunderbolt functionality. To use a specific USB-C feature, such as DisplayPort video output, USB 40Gbps data transfer, or USB Power Delivery, the USB host port, cable, and connected device must all support that feature. Refer to the technical specifications provided by the manufacturer to verify compatibility. For more information about Thunderbolt capabilities over USB-C, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/thunderbolt-3-port-capabilities