Identifying the Problem

When you connect a new MP3 player, and Windows doesn’t recognize it, check whether the MP3 player is compatible with the version of Windows installed on your computer. Find this information in the documentation that came with the MP3 player, or use the manufacturer’s website to look up your model. If the driver is compatible with your version of Windows, the problem is most likely the driver. If your MP3 player worked on an earlier version of Windows but won’t play on the recent version, the driver is almost certainly the culprit. Check for a possible driver on the manufacturer’s website. While you are there, see if there is a firmware update that might fix this problem. If not, update the driver in Windows.

Check for Unknown Device in Windows

You can also check to see if there is an unknown device in Windows, which is a good indicator that you need the correct driver.

Update Windows

Make sure your version of Windows is up-to-date. Ensuring your operating system remains current with application and security patches can sometimes fix a compatibility problem.

Try a Different USB Mode

Set the portable player to use a different USB mode if the unit supports it:

Tweak USB Power Management

Change the USB power management option using Device Manager: