To turn off the USB connection sound in Windows 10, open the classic Sound settings, go to the Sounds tab, select Device Connect, and set Sounds to (None). Do the same for Device Disconnect and Device Failed to Connect, then select Apply. The PC stops chiming when you plug in or remove USB devices.
If the sound keeps repeating on its own, muting it only hides the symptom. Something is connecting and disconnecting over and over, and the troubleshooting section below shows how to find it.
Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps also work on Windows 11.
Quick Answer
Press Windows + R, type mmsys.cpl, open the Sounds tab, select Device Connect, choose (None), and select Apply.
Turn Off the USB Connect and Disconnect Sounds
- Press Windows + R, type
mmsys.cpl, and press Enter. (Or go to Settings > System > Sound > Sound Control Panel.) - Select the Sounds tab.
- In Program Events, scroll to Device Connect and select it.
- Open the Sounds dropdown and choose (None) at the top of the list.
- Repeat for Device Disconnect and Device Failed to Connect.
- Select Apply, then OK.
Events with a speaker icon still play a sound. After the change, the three device events show no icon.
Turn Off All System Sounds Instead
- In the same Sounds tab, open Sound Scheme.
- Choose No Sounds.
- Select Apply. This silences every Windows event sound, including errors and notifications.
Turn Off USB Notification Pop-Ups
If you also see “USB device not recognized” or other pop-ups, go to Settings > Devices > USB and turn off Notify me if there are issues connecting to USB devices. Only do this if you’re sure the device works.
If the USB Sound Keeps Repeating
A sound that plays every few seconds means a device keeps dropping and reconnecting. Find it before you mute it:
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Watch the list as the sound plays. The device that blinks, disappears, or reappears is the culprit. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers, Human Interface Devices, and Bluetooth.
- Unplug USB devices one at a time until the sound stops.
| Common cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Loose cable or worn port | Try another port or cable |
| Power saving turns off the port | In Device Manager, open each USB Root Hub > Power Management and clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power |
| USB selective suspend | Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > USB settings > set USB selective suspend to Disabled |
| Faulty or outdated driver | Update or reinstall the driver; see how to update drivers in Windows 10 |
| Phone or controller charging on and off | Use a wall charger or a powered USB hub |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off the sound stop USB devices from working?
No. It only removes the audio alert. Devices connect as usual.
Why does my laptop make a USB sound when nothing is plugged in?
Internal devices such as the webcam, fingerprint reader, or Bluetooth adapter also connect over USB. If one resets, Windows plays the same sound.
How do I get the sound back?
Select the event again and choose a sound from the list, or pick the Windows Default scheme.
Other sounds acting up? Try our steps to fix sound problems on Windows 10.
Summary
- Open
mmsys.cpland go to Sounds. - Set Device Connect, Device Disconnect, and Device Failed to Connect to (None).
- If the sound repeats, find the device that keeps disconnecting instead of just muting it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.