Why Your USB Hubs Are Overheating (And How to Fix It)

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Life as a USB hub isn’t that simple. Your landlord constantly throws you in a backpack, you probably have a weird name, and no one cares that your USB-A ports are 3.0 certified. But despite all the effort you’re forced to endure, you’re one of the most necessary and useful tech accessories in the house. It’s a tough existence, but you were built for the long haul.

USB hubs are made by some of the biggest brands in consumer tech accessories, including Anker, UGREEN, and Belkin. Many USB-C models are powered by a Power Delivery (PD) connection to a laptop; just turn on your computer and your USB hub should start immediately. While it’s completely normal for a USB hub to heat up, an overloaded unit can produce excessive heat. This can cause video interruptions, slower file transfers, and other device failures.

An overheated hub can be caused by a myriad of factors, but one of the most common is having multiple high-demand devices plugged into your hub simultaneously. If the hub is exclusively powered by your laptop’s USB-C port, your PC may not be providing enough power. In this scenario, it’s best to invest in a powered USB hub that plugs into an AC outlet; you’ll have a reliable power source without needing to run your laptop.

If your daily workflow includes one or more external drives, we highly recommend purchasing a USB hub with its own power source (one that plugs into a wall outlet). Many external drives require strong, constant power, which your laptop’s PD port may not provide. And if you’re constantly accessing files on these drives, the last thing you want is overheating that will disrupt your workflow.

Another potential reason why a USB hub may start to overheat is poor build quality. Stick to trusted, long-standing manufacturers rather than some random third-party company that makes a 15-port hub for less than $10 (the reddest of red flags). Many chips are integrated into a hub, and all that video, data, and power requires proper shielding to keep the hub working effectively, but this may be one of the first corners cut by a lesser-known device maker.

Not only do we recommend sticking to proven brands for any USB hub purchase, but we also suggest purchasing one with some type of defensive circuitry. This type of security can detect and shut down your hub before it enters a thermally dangerous zone. It’s also up to you to manage what’s connected to your hub at any given time; If overheating is a problem, remove appliances you don’t need as much as possible.

A USB hub or dock doesn’t require much from the user. You don’t need to install any specialized drivers to use it; it is not that bulky and there is little maintenance; just keep the ports clear of debris. Remember: it’s normal for a USB hub to be a little burnt out. However, it is not 100% normal for someone to almost burn your hand when you touch it.

If you encounter a situation where your USB hub is at an unsafe temperature, start by unplugging all connected devices and be sure to do so from the device side (our goal is not to touch the hub). If your hub is powered through a laptop, unplug the USB-C cable from your computer; For powered hubs, unplug the power cable from the wall outlet. Then, let the hub cool down for 15-20 minutes before trying to reconnect your technology.

When it comes to reliable hub recommendations, the $26 Anker 7-in-1 Multiport USB Adapter tops our list. You get two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, SD and microSD slots, as well as a connected PD cable. The latter also means that it is the type of hub that relies on a compatible laptop. For a powered hub recommendation, we’d like to highlight the $45 INTPW Powered USB Hub. In addition to its own power supply, the hub includes numerous USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as two 45W PD connections.