USB 3.0 Transfer Speed Slow? How to Speed Up [Bonus Tips]

Posted by Paula Pailaga to iOS Transfer Jan 31, 2024

"I’m stuck at the progress bar in transferring files!". Transferring data between devices using a USB 3.0, referred to as SuperSpeed USB, is always a great option. However, you might encounter USB 3.0 transfer speed slow problem with only 3-4MB/s on your Windows or Mac. In such cases, you must find a getaway to speed up the USB. And fortunately, this post will give just what you need! Explore more information about USB 3.0 transfer speed and the 5 efficient solutions in the following to solve the issue and make your batch transfer faster.

Is USB 3.0 Transfer Speed Slow? Know More about It

What is USB 3.0? You have probably heard of it in some windows popping up on your device. But for some unfamiliar with it, USB 3.0, as already raised, is referred to as the SuperSpeed USB. After the USB 2.0, which has a transfer speed of 480 Mbps, the USB 3.0 transfer speed maintains that speed but comes at 10 times faster than the 2.0. Furthermore, it has additional features, so most computers come with USB 3.0. However, there is still problem in USB 3.0 transfer speed.

You can transfer data from phones, keyboards, monitors, speakers, cameras, flash drives, and more to computers. So, it can be frustrating if you are stuck in the progress bar, especially if you’re transmitting large files. Why is the USB 3.0 transfer speed so slow, though? Several factors cause this, and it includes the following.

1. Having Outdated Drivers.

Outdated drives can affect the PC performance and the system, and it might also cause compatibility problems. The updates are automatically set if you have regularly updated your OS, but you can check it and install them. Updating it boosts your computer’s performance which can help resolve the USB 3.0 transfer speed.

2. Improper USB Connection.

If the USB drive is connected incorrectly, it will affect the transferring speed, and you might lose the data you’re transferring during the process. In this case, ensure you have connected the USB properly to the port.

3. Older Version of Windows.

Similar to having an outdated driver, if the OS is not updated, it can cause a lot of issues to your PC and make USB 3.0 transfer speed slow. First, check for any Windows Updates in the search bar, and immediately install them if there are available updates so it can get your computer at the best running speed.

4. Faulty Hard Drives.

The last common reason why your USB 3.0 transfer speed is slow is because of hard drives. Faulty hard drives have lots of junk and unnecessary files, leading to slowing down the performance. So, delete all these junk files as soon as possible.

5 Efficient Ways to Fix USB 3.0 Transfer Speed Slow on Windows/Mac

Luckily, there are fixes you can do to resolve the USB 3.0 transfer speed. You don’t have to worry about the solutions since it is all safe and won’t cause any trouble on your device.

Solution 1. Update the Driver on Windows Update [For Windows]

Step 1Press the "Windows" key, then go to "Settings". Select "Update & Security" and go for the "Windows Update". From there, check for available "Windows Updates".

Step 2If there is, start updating. After that, restart your PC; if it doesn't restart automatically, confirm if the USB 3.0 transfer speed has improved. Alternatively, you can do it in the "Device Manager".

Solution 2. Turn Off the Low Power Mode [For Mac]

Step 1

Step 2Click "Battery" right after the options. Then, tick the "Low Power Mode" checkbox to remove the check icon.

Solution 3. Turn Off the Spotlighting for USB [For Mac]

Step 1Head to "System Preferences," then click "Spotlight." From the opened window, click "Privacy."

Step 2Click the "Plus" icon to include your USB drive. Then, the next time you insert your drive, "Spotlight" will disregard the device, and you can check the improved USB 3.0 transfer speed.

Solution 4. Reinstall the USB 3.0 Controller Drive [For Windows]

Step 1Right-click the "Windows" Start button, then select "Device Manager" from the menu list of options. Next, click "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" to open a new window.

Step 2Locate your USB 3.0 controller, "right-click" on it, then select "Uninstall device". Restart your PC right after, which should reinstall the driver automatically and check the USB 3.0 transfer speed.

Solution 5. Convert the USB 3.0 Format [For Windows & Mac]

Use APFS format for Mac.

Step 1Link the USB drive to your Mac, then go to "Disk Utility." Find your drive from the list, then select "Partition" at the upper menu.

Step 2Select "APFS" as a format in the option, and there you can set the capacity of your drive. To proceed, click "Decide Later." Please wait for a while until the converting process is done. Click "Done" to solve the USB 3.0 transfer speed on Mac.

Use NTFS format for Windows.

Step 1Connect the USB to your PC, then "right-click" on the drive icon to select Properties.

Step 2Go to the "File System" option under the "General" tab. You will have options to change the format there; select "NTFS". After everything, check if the USB 3.0 transfer speed has increased.

The Most Recommended iOS Transfer to Speed Up the Process

If you want an easy transfer of files without experiencing any trouble because the USB 3.0 speed transfer is so slow, use the 4Easysoft iPhone Transfer. It is a versatile Windows and Mac program, offering a safe and fast process of transferring a batch of data, such as music, messages, videos, images, and almost all kinds, in one click. It also comes with unique features, like, aside from transferring, you can manage your photos, update contact information, create a playlist, and so forth.

Step 1Launch "4Easysoft iPhone Transfer", then you simply need to link your device to your PC using a USB cable., which is faster than USB 3.0 transfer speed.

Step 2After that, click the "Toolbox" button on the left side of the main screen. Click the "Device to PC" or "Phone to Phone" function according to your requirement.

Step 2Suppose you click the "Device to PC". All your iOS device data will be displayed on the window, and clicking the "Start" button will transfer all to the PC.

FAQs about USB 3.0 Transfer Speed

• Why is the USB 3.0 working so slowly on Windows?

  If you’re using an outdated driver, it may significantly affect the transfer speed of your USB 3.0. In this case, updating or reinstalling the driver is the easiest solution.

• What is the exact USB 3.0 transfer speed?

  The speed of USB 3.0 is 4.8 Gbit/s or 600MBps, which is 10x that of USB 2.0. And most computers support this standard of SuperSpeed USB.

• Why is the USB 3.0 working so slowly on my Mac?

  If you’re experiencing a transferring speed so slow, maybe you’re using a low-quality cable since not quality lines can have physical integrity problems that lead to transferring issues.

• Which one is faster, the NTFS or exFAT?

  The NTFS file system is faster than a file system on Windows PC, and it performs better to speed up the USB 3.0 drive, especially for large files.

• How to fix the USB transfer speed on Mac immediately?

  Ensure first that the USB ports are updated and are working correctly; you can check in System Preferences or Activity Monitor. If that doesn't help, reboot the system, which is enough to clear up any issues on drivers that cause the slow transferring speed.

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