USB splitter help

john432

I got a USB splitter, ie plug into 1 x USB, and gives you 2 x USB, so gives a extra USB.

The laptop still only works with only 1 x USB.

Is their a setting that has to be changed? Any help please.

unforeseen

Do you mean a 2 port USB hub?

If so then your laptop should identify 2 devices when you plug them both in at the same time.

debitcardmayhem

You will need a powered hub

unforeseen

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

You will need a powered hub

Why? .

It all depends on what is being plugged in.

john432

Its to run a printer and a scanner on one usb. Only one device works. Just to be clear, the printer is one device and the scanner another device. Any help? Thanks

debitcardmayhem

Does the scanner have its own power supply ? I assume the printer does.

fenlander_uk

Are you sure it's a hub you're using? It's common to find cables with one USB connector at one end, then the cable splits and has two at the other end. These are designed to allow a single power-hungry usb device to be plugged into two sockets on a laptop in order to maximise the power available.
You need a true hub to do what you want. There are not too many 2-port hubs about: most have 4, 7, 10 or even more. If you want to connect multiple usb-powered hard drives, you may well need a hub with its own power supply. However, for the use you describe this should not be necessary as both devices presumably have their own power supplies, so a 'bus-powered' hub should suffice.
A description of your 'splitter' would be helpful. USB hubs are never referred to as 'splitters', so it is not clear whether you actually have what you think you have.

john432

Sorry for confusion, will try to explain.

Yes, the printer and scanner have their own power supply.
The usb splitter (as I call it) is a cable that plugs into a usb, and out of that comes to two cables ,each have a usb on them. Like for eg, plugging a plug into a electrical socket, that then has a twin socket.

The actual problem is, bought a Leonova laptop that ONLY has 2 usb's available. I need 3 usb's, one for printer, one for scnner, and one for usb mouse. Hope this clears up the confusion.

stragglebod

You probably got a duff hub.


You can get a perfectly functional 4 port hub for about £1.50 for usb 2 or £6 for usb 3 on fleabay.

fenlander_uk

I don't think that's a hub (see my previous post). I'd expect a hub to have multiple ports (sockets into which usb cables can be plugged), not two output cables.

For your needs, get an unpowered usb2 hub from Ebay or Amazon.

[Deleted User]

john432 wrote: »

Sorry for confusion, will try to explain.

Yes, the printer and scanner have their own power supply.
The usb splitter (as I call it) is a cable that plugs into a usb, and out of that comes to two cables ,each have a usb on them. Like for eg, plugging a plug into a electrical socket, that then has a twin socket.

The actual problem is, bought a Leonova laptop that ONLY has 2 usb's available. I need 3 usb's, one for printer, one for scnner, and one for usb mouse. Hope this clears up the confusion.

I suspect that @fenlander_uk is correct but have you tried plugging the scanner in to both ports in succession and tested it? If both ports work then I think he's right.

Edit: Scratch that, wouldn't the plugs be the other way around? (2 male and 1 female)