Some AMD users have posted on social media, including Reddit, about intermittent connectivity issues when using USB ports on their 500 series motherboards. In response, AMD reported via a post on Reddit that it was informed about the connectivity issues and is asking for more information from specific users with the issue to help them resolve it. Since this announcement, many users have been looking for AMD.
AMD’s X570 motherboards have been readily available since July 2019, and their B550 models have been available since June 2020 and both have become well established over the past year and a half. The fact that users are now experiencing USB problems raises the question of whether the problems have been around all along, but are now rising above the noise, or whether there is anything related to the longevity of these systems.
AMD 500 series motherboard and USB connectivity issues?
The most common reproduction of this problem appears to be when using virtual reality headsets, such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, with an intermittent connection problem being more common for these users. Since USB is the primary method for powering and communicating with VR headsets and peripherals, any flaws, even a little in the high-powered VR applications, would be immediately highlighted. This is not the only problem it can cause, since streaming devices and USB audio interfaces can also experience power outages, which can be quite noticeable, especially if you are recording.
Although AMD has not yet identified the exact cause of the problem, it asks its users to contact them on Reddit via u / AMDOfficial, which is an official AMD support channel. Scouring user reviews extensively on Reddit, it doesn’t seem to be related to just one section of the hardware. Some of the problems reported by users appear to result from the launch of PCIe 4.0 video cards on 500 series motherboards. The Reddit u / duddy32 user also claims to be experiencing these problems with a B450 motherboard and a Ryzen 7 3700X processor. , which precedes the 500 series chipset.
AMD B550 chipset layout, including USB connectivity.
A possible workaround aimed at reducing (but, importantly, not stopping completely) the problems are users changing the motherboard settings from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 3.0. Reddit users have reported, while reducing the frequency of outages, it has not eliminated them, which may point to a problem between the USB hub controller and other parts of the chipset. Some users are also reporting that the problem occurs mainly with USB 2.0 ports, and some have been successful in switching devices to USB 3.1 ports. It is also recommended to update the firmware to the latest AGESA version on the models, which can reduce problems. Although, at this point, it is possible to assume that none of the workarounds could correct these problems that users are experiencing with random and intermittent USB outages.
Although AMD has not notified the reddit audience that it has been able to identify the problem internally, it is asking users with these problems to detail their hardware configurations and other relevant system information to allow AMD to recreate the problems at their end . AMD is also openly encouraging users to raise service requests online directly with AMD customer support to help correlate data and compare notes with other support requests to reduce the potential for the problem.
The rear panel of an X70 motherboard with USB 3.1, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.
It should be noted that not all users have experienced these problems – we have tested several dozen AMD AM4 motherboards and used them extensively in the past 15 months, with exactly zero problems related to this. That is why this problem is only being highlighted now – either users have not noticed the problem, as a small cut of a mouse or keyboard may not be very apparent, or they may be lucky that this problem does not affect them. However, a sufficient number of users are experiencing these intermittent USB connectivity problems to make the problem widespread across multiple processor models and combinations. This means that the problem is not specifically from a particular manufacturer and looks more like an issue with the AMD chipset or how it connects from the USB hub to the chipset.
If AMD can identify the problem with its internal team and collaboration of consistent data points provided by its users, it is possible that a future AGESA firmware update may alleviate the problems. Of course, if it is directly related to a design and hardware problem, which could be a much harder nut to crack for AMD.
AMD’s official statement published on 2/20/21 can be found on Reddit here – https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/lnmet0/an_update_on_usb_connectivity_with_500_series/