FAQ for USB 3.0 Hub

Q1.  Why is the transfer rate so much slower than the 5Gbps promoted?

The USB 2.0 standard uses 8-bit encoding, while the USB 3.0 standard uses 10-bit encoding (8-bit for data transfer purposes + 2-bit for data control purposes). The USB 3.0 transfer rate of 5Gbps (with a theoretical transfer speed of 500MB/s), therefore, is about 8 times faster than the mainstream USB 2.0 transfer rate of 480Mb/s (with a theoretical transfer speed of 60MB/s).
Taking usage conditions into consideration, the USB 3.0 standard can achieve transfer speeds about 3 times faster than that of the USB 2.0 standard. Please note that the actual transfer speed will depend on the specific usage environment.

Q2.  The hub keeps suddenly disconnecting with the device while transferring data. Why is this happening?

If this problem is occurring with properly-installed devices, it is usually due to insufficient power supply. When the hub is transferring data – especially big data – make sure it is connected to a power source. In addition, we recommend connecting the hub to your computer with the cable provided. If not, please make sure the cable length is less than 1m, so as to ensure stable data transfer.

Q3.  Why is my USB 3.0 device being read as a USB 2.0 device when connected to the hub?

This problem may be the result of one of the following causes:
a. Insufficient power supply from the USB hub. Please connect the USB hub to a power source.
b. Insufficient power supply from the computer’s USB port. Please connect the USB hub to the USB port positioned on the back of the frame, instead of on the front, to ensure sufficient power supply.
c. The device is being plugged in too slowly. As a result of the USB 3.0 interface’s design, some systems will recognize devices as USB 2.0 when they are plugged in too slowly, or section by section.

Q4.  A surge warning appears on the screen when the USB hub is connected to the computer. Why is this happening?

When the input current of a connected device is higher than the output current of the USB port (900mAh), a surge warning may appear. Connect the USB hub to a power source to ensure sufficient power supply. To check the current of connected devices, open the “Device Manager” interface, select “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”, followed by “USB Root hub”, then click “Power”.
If the problem persists, please check to make sure the USB driver is installed properly, or click the USB icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Reset” to make sure the USB device is being identified correctly.
This problem may be the result of one of the following causes: a. Improper power-saving settings. Right-click “My Computer”, select “Attributes”, then “Hardware”, followed by “Device Manager”. Double-click “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”, right-click “USB Root Hub”, click “Attributes”, then “Power Management”. Unmark “Allow computer to close the device to save power”, click “Yes ”, and then restart the computer. b. The computer can’t start because it can’t read system files. This occurs when the BIOS is set to “Start the Computer from the USB Device”. In order to solve this, change the setting to “Start the Computer from the Hard Disk”. c. For Mac users, please uncheck the box “Put the hard disks to sleep when possible” under Energy Saver. – See more at:

Q5.  Can I use my own accessories, such as power adapters and data cables, with the USB hub?

Generally speaking, the USB 3.0 hub is equipped with its own power adapter and data cable to ensure maximum compatibility. Use with the provided accessories, therefore, is recommended. If you have lost your power adapter or data cable, please make sure the specifications of any accessory you intend to use in their place correspond with theirs. To ensure stable performance, the length of the data cable should not exceed 1m.

Q6.  Devices are not being identified by my computer when connected to the USB hub, but they are being identified when connected directly to the computer. Why?

This problem may be the result of one of the following causes:
a. Insufficient power supply. Please connect the USB hub to a power source.
b. Compatibility issues between the motherboard and system. Please try refreshing the BIOS in the motherboard.
c. Incorrect insertion or unplugging. Do not unplug the device when transferring data in order to avoid damaging the chipset.
d. Improper driver installation. Under “Device Manager”, go to “Other Devices” and select “Universal Serial Bus Controllers”. If there are any yellow question or exclamation marks visible, uninstall the driver in “Device Manager”, then restart your computer. The driver will be reinstalled automatically.

Q7.  Can I use the USB hub as a standalone charger?

For Anker hubs with specially-designed charging ports, the max output current of the USB ports is 900mA. These ports can transfer data but are not intended for charging. The specially-designed charging ports, on the other hand, can reach outputs of up to 2.1A and charge iPads, iPhones or other smartphones.

Keep in mind, however, that the charging ports CANNOT transfer data. When a port is designed for charging, it offers a specific voltage signal to devices such as iPhones/iPads/etc., so that the devices will recognize it as a charging port when they are plugged in and thus enter charging mode to charge at optimal speed.

Q8.  Why doesn’t the Apple SuperDrive work with the hub? It’s showing an error message.

According to Apple Support Article HT2801 (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2801), Apple Superdrives can only be plugged into USB ports on selected Apple computers. It is not recommend plugging them into USB hubs. Please see the excerpt below:

The SuperDrive is designed exclusively for use with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini’s that do not have a built-in optical drive. The SuperDrive must be directly plugged into the computer’s USB port, and cannot be used if connected to a USB hub.

Q9.  Why doesn’t my wireless mouse/keyboard work in close proximity to the hub?

2.4Ghz wireless devices (keyboards, mice, etc.) may not work around USB 3.0 ports due to frequency interference. We recommend a USB 2.0 hub instead. Regarding the incompatibility issue, there is an announcement by Intel, provided for your reference: http://www.usb.org/developers/whitepapers/327216.pdf.

Q10.  Why don’t devices charge at 900mA (the max for a USB 3.0 port) when a USB 3.0 port is not being used for data transfer?

Attached devices will first detect whether a port is designed for charging or data transfer and then enter the corresponding mode. When attached to a USB 3.0 port, a device will reserve about 500-600mA for data transfer (even when not in use) and leave the rest for charging.

Q11.  Can I use the USB 3.0 and e-SATA ports on the docking station at the same time?

When both ports are connected to the computer, only the e-SATA port will be identified and usable for transferring data. When the USB 3.0 and e-SATA ports are connected to two computers, the same is the case.

Q12.  Can I use the USB 3.0 and e-SATA ports together to transfer data?

No, you can’t. When both ports are in use, only the e-SATA port will be used to transfer data, while the USB 3.0 port will simply be used to supply power.

Q13.  Why am I unable to reach SATA-III transfer rates of up to 6Gbps?

While many of our SATA devices can detect and transfer data for SATA III disks, e-SATA cables limit these transfer speeds to 3Gbps. We are currently evaluating upgrade options.

Q14.  Why is the hard disk disconnecting from the computer during data transfer?

Make sure the device is connected to a power source.
b. Do not touch or move the device as this may loosen the connection between the hard disk and your computer.
c. Use the cable provided to transfer data. If you don’t, make sure the length of your cable does not exceed 1m.

Q15.  Why isn’t the docking station visible under “MY COMPUTER” when I plug it in?

This may be caused by one of the two scenarios below:
a. Conflicting drive names (usually for a hard drive that has been used previously on another computer):
Customers will sometimes retrieve a hard drive (from another computer) labelled “C Drive” by default to use as a backup. Since this hard drive has already been used, it will inevitably have the name “C”. This may be in conflict with the name of the drive on your current computer, causing the computer not to recognize it.
Solution: Go to “COMPUTER MANAGEMENT”, select “DISK MANAGEMENT,” locate the external hard drive, and then assign a different name to it.
b. The brand-new or used hard drive is configured to operate with another OS:
Solution: In this case, the hard drive needs to be reformatted. There are two ways to go about this:
– Quick formatting: Good for a new hard drive. Since no data is stored, there is not much “clean up” needed.
– Full formatting: Good for a used hard drive. This will ensure that all existing data is wiped out and ensure a properly working hard drive. This will take longer, however. PLEASE BACK UP ALL DATA BEFORE FORMATTING YOUR HARD DRIVE.

Q16.  Why doesn’t my hard drive fit into the docking station?

This is usually because it’s an ATA, not SATA, hard drive.