Stop Windows from Disabling Your USB Ports: A Flight Simulator Essential Guide

Why This Matters for Sim Pilots

Nothing ruins an immersive long-haul flight faster than your throttle quadrant or overhead panel disconnecting mid-approach. As veteran flight sim builder Espen Revheim warns:

"90% of 'PC crashes' during extended flights are actually USB sleep issues – most flight peripherals lack wake-up functions, forcing tedious plug/reconnect cycles."

This Windows power-saving "feature" frequently resets after updates. Here's how to permanently resolve the issue.

Step-by-Step: Disabling USB Power Saving

*(Tested on Windows 10/11)*

1. Open Device Manager

• Right-click the Start menu → Select Device Manager

• (Alternative: Press Win + X → Choose M)

2. Navigate to USB Controllers

• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers

• Identify all USB Root Hub entries (may list multiple)

3. Disable Power Saving

For each USB Root Hub:

1. Double-click → Go to Power Management tab

2. Uncheck: "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

3. Click OK

4. Critical Extra Steps

• After Windows updates: Recheck these settings (they often revert)

• Multi-PC setups: Also disable sleep on network interface cards

Flight Sim-Specific Implications

Problem

• Unlike mice/keyboards, most flight peripherals can't auto-wake sleeping USB ports

• Results in:

  • Phantom disconnections during critical phases (e.g., landing)

  • Software lockups when panels lose communication

Expert-Recommended Solutions

1. For full-scale (1:1) cockpits:

   • Use dedicated cockpit builder software (not just FSUIPC) to avoid protocol overload

2. For smaller setups:

   • MobiFlight (FSUIPC-based) remains viable

Proactive Stability Checklist

✅ Monthly: Verify USB power settings
✅ Post-update: Re-disable power saving
✅ Networked sims: Disable NIC sleep modes

"Treat your sim PC like real avionics – preventative maintenance prevents emergencies."
- Espen Revheim, Home Cockpit Builder & Test pilot and aircraft developer for Apollo Aircraft Scandinavia

Check out the flight simulation hardware of Mechdiy Rowsfire!

Found this helpful? Share your longest crash-free streak in the comments!

video from@microcentertech