How to Reset USB Device Using Command Line in Linux

Resetting a USB device from the command line in Linux can help resolve issues without rebooting the system.

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1. Identify the USB Device

First, list connected USB devices to find the bus and device number:

lsusb

Example output:

Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0781:5581 SanDisk Corp. Ultra
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub

Note the Bus (e.g., 002) and Device (e.g., 003) numbers of the problematic device.

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2. Reset Using usbreset Utility

Install usbreset (if missing)

Compile and install it from source:

sudo apt install build-essential git  # Debian/Ubuntu
git clone https://github.com/gregkh/usbreset
cd usbreset
cc usbreset.c -o usbreset
sudo cp usbreset /usr/local/bin/

Reset the Device

Use the device’s vendor:product ID from lsusb:

sudo usbreset 0781:5581  # Replace with your device's ID

Or use the bus and device number (from Step 1):

sudo usbreset /dev/bus/usb/002/003

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3. Unbind and Rebind via Sysfs

Reset the USB device driver without unplugging:

# Find the USB device path (e.g., 2-1.4)
lsusb -t

# Unbind the device (replace X.Y with the port number)
echo 'X.Y' | sudo tee /sys/bus/usb/drivers/usb/unbind

# Rebind the device
echo 'X.Y' | sudo tee /sys/bus/usb/drivers/usb/bind

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4. Power-Cycle the USB Port with uhubctl

For USB hubs, use uhubctl to toggle power:

# Install uhubctl
sudo apt install uhubctl  # Debian/Ubuntu

# List USB hubs
sudo uhubctl

# Power cycle port 4 on hub 2 (example)
sudo uhubctl -l 2 -p 4 -a cycle

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5. Reset Entire USB Controller (Last Resort)

Reset all devices connected to a USB controller (e.g., usb1):

# Disable the controller
echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/bus/usb/devices/usb1/authorized

# Re-enable it
echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/bus/usb/devices/usb1/authorized

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Troubleshooting Tips

• Permissions: Use sudo for all commands.
• Device Not Found: Physically unplug/replug the device if it doesn’t appear in lsusb.
• Persistent Issues: Check dmesg for errors:

  dmesg | grep -i usb

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Summary Table

Method	Command Example	Use Case
usbreset	sudo usbreset 0781:5581	Targeted device reset
Sysfs bind/unbind	echo '2-1.4' > unbind/bind	Driver reinitialization
uhubctl	sudo uhubctl -l 2 -p 4 -a cycle	Hub port power cycling
Full controller reset	echo 0 > authorized; echo 1 > authorized	Drastic USB controller reset