Don't immediately reinstall Windows or mess with your drivers. Instead:
If you cannot identify the device physically, you can use a tool to log USB connections.
from your computer, including hubs, printers, scanners, and webcams, except for the mouse and keyboard. Restart your computer.
If your Device Manager is constantly refreshing, device manager keeps refreshing
I realized the refresh rate was steady—about once every second. It wasn't random; it was rhythmic. I looked down at my desk. Right next to the USB hub was my trusty old guitar. I had it plugged into a USB interface cable to record some direct demos earlier.
The primary cause is a device connected to your system that is unstable, malfunctioning, or has a corrupted driver. When Windows tries to initialize it, fails, and tries again, it triggers a device scan, causing the Device Manager to refresh.
Wait for at least 30–60 seconds to discharge the components. Don't immediately reinstall Windows or mess with your
: Follow the same steps as above to disable this related service.
As a test, I unplugged the USB cable from the guitar end (leaving the cable plugged into the PC). The flickering stopped instantly. The Device Manager froze, stable and calm.
: Loose or defective USB devices (mice, keyboards, printers) can cause the system to repeatedly register and unregister the hardware. Restart your computer
Power Management tab of these hubs. Advanced Diagnostic Tools If you can't see the device in time, use these third-party tools to "catch" it: USBDeview : Shows a list of all currently and previously connected USB devices. Sort by "Last Plug/Unplug Date" to find the one cycling. DevManView : An alternative to Device Manager that doesn't flicker as much and can show you exactly when a device's "Connect Time" was last updated. Would you like instructions on how to
Device Manager keeps refreshing/flashing every few seconds – driving me crazy!
I decided to ignore the software side for a moment and think about the hardware. When Device Manager refreshes, it’s because Windows is receiving a signal that a device has been physically added or removed (Plug and Play).