Questions & Answers

Q: QuestionHow many USB ports does this hub add to my computer?

• A:Answer This hub uses a single USB port on your computer to connect up to four USB devices.

Q: QuestionIs this USB hub compatible with older devices that use USB 1.0 or 1.1?

• A:Answer Yes, this hub is backwards compatible with USB 1.0 and 1.1 devices.

Q: QuestionHow do I know if the hub is connected and working?

• A:Answer The hub has a blue LED power indicator that lights up to let you know it's connected and working.

Q: QuestionDoes this hub require a separate power supply?

• A:Answer No, this hub connects to your computer with an attached USB cable and doesn't require a separate power supply.

Q: QuestionWhat is the maximum data transfer speed of this USB hub?

• A:Answer This USB hub offers data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps.

Q: QuestionDoes this unit require an external 120v power source?

Asked 3 years ago by Veinos.

• A:Answer It is entirely passive. It uses what ever magic juice your device has and hands that out to the other thing-a-ma-jigs you wanna connect.

  Answered 3 years ago by JustinVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionCan it be used to charge two devices in a car usb port?

Asked 3 years ago by Fx7.

• A:Answer Yes it can

  Answered 3 years ago by EmpressiveVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionWill this USB Hub be compatible with Windows 11?

Asked 3 years ago by Lucy52.

• A:Answer Just plug it into your computer’s USB port for a hassle-free connection.

  Answered 3 years ago by BestBuyEssentialsSupport Team

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Q: Questionmy surface has just one usb port. with this I can connect my mouse at the same my cell?

Asked 3 years ago by Victor.

• A:Answer Hi Victor! Definitely, you can use this 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub. BestBuy Essentials Support Alvin https://www.bestbuy.com/

  Answered 3 years ago by BestBuyEssentialsSupport Team

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Q: QuestionCan I use it for a keyboard and mouse on my Nintendo switch.

Asked 4 years ago by Hayden.

• A:Answer That is a good question. I imagine, if a keyboard and mouse can work on your Switch, this hub would rock it (I use it with my keyboard and mouse on my XeroLinux OS notebook).

  Answered 3 years ago by JustinVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionI use the product to connect to my modem/router via an Ethernet cord since my Lenovo does not have a Ethernet port. It seems like the product only will connect to my low speed network. Wondering if the product can only handle slower speed networks?

Asked 5 months ago by NewRoo.

• A:Answer Hi there! The Best Buy essentials™ 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub is designed to expand the number of USB ports on your computer, allowing you to connect devices like keyboards, mice, flash drives, and printers. It supports data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps, which is the maximum for USB 2.0. However, this hub is not built to handle Ethernet or internet traffic directly. If you're using it alongside a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, the overall network speed will be limited by the USB 2.0 interface. In real-world use, that typically means a cap of around 100–300 Mbps, even if your internet plan or Ethernet adapter supports higher speeds. |Angelica| Best Buy Essentials Products|

  Answered 4 months ago by BestBuyEssentialsSupport Team

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Q: QuestionWhen connected to a cell phone, will this allow switching between tethering phone to PC and charging the phone? In other words, is switch capable of bidirectional use (charging INTO phone, tethering OUT FROM phone)? Thank you for any help.

Asked 9 months ago by Shelly.

• A:Answer Thank you for you inquiry! The Best Buy essentials™ 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub is designed primarily to expand the number of USB ports available on your computer. It supports data transfer and charging for connected devices. However, it does not have the capability to switch between tethering your phone to a PC and charging the phone simultaneously in a bidirectional manner. For tethering (using your phone as a modem) and charging at the same time, you would typically need a USB hub with specific features that support this functionality, such as a powered USB hub with data transfer capabilities. If you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask! - Mae | BestBuy Essential Support

  Answered 9 months ago by BestBuyEssentialsSupport Team

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Q: QuestionHi! The device stopped working on my Microsoft surface pro 2. Is there any driver that I have to install? When I plug it I hear the sound but it does not connect to the external screen.

Asked 1 year ago by AF.

• A:Answer Your Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is not an external display and cannot be plugged into the device.

  Answered 1 year ago by ZerstorenVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionCan I use this for a mouse and headphones at the same time? Will it affect the mouse functionality or headphone clarity?

Asked 2 years ago by JG.

• A:Answer I'm using mine with headphones and a mouse. It is working just fine. Your PC may have a limit on how many devices you can use on one USB port on your PC.

  Answered 11 months ago by RicksterVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionI have insignia 4 port USB hub NS-PCH5420. Is model BE-PH2A4AT an exact replica for 1.0 and 2.0 usage into an old HP laptop w/windows vista? This is important i already bought 2 that weren't. more explanation in an email if necessary..thanks

Asked 2 years ago by Bob.

• A:Answer When dealing with old HP laptops running Windows Vista, compatibility often revolves around the following factors: 1. Form Factor: Ensure the new part (like a hard drive, RAM, or other components) physically fits in the slot or bay of the laptop. 2. Interface Compatibility: For example, older laptops typically use SATA (for hard drives) and DDR2 or DDR3 (for RAM). Ensure the new component matches these interfaces. 3. Driver Support: Ensure that drivers are available for Windows Vista for any new hardware you intend to install. Don't email me.

  Answered 1 year ago by ZerstorenVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionCan I share one printer between two pc's using this hub

Asked 2 years ago by Anonymous.

• A:Answer You cannot share one printer between two pc's using this hub

  Answered 1 year ago by ZerstorenVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionHow long is the cord on this USB hub? I want to use it on a Microsoft Surface and the USB slot is on the side of the monitor. I want to make sure I have enough cord so that the hub will be placed on the table and not be dangling.

Asked 2 years ago by PDub5.

• A:Answer To help you accurately, I'll need to know the specific model of the USB hub you're referring to. If you have a link to the product or its name/model number, please provide that information so I can give you the exact details about the cord length.

  Answered 1 year ago by ZerstorenVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionIs there a driver available to force it to emulate a com port connection in the device manager?

Asked 3 years ago by ScannerJunkie.

• A:Answer Yes, it is often possible to force a device to emulate a COM port connection in the Device Manager by using a virtual COM port driver. Many USB-to-serial devices come with drivers that include this functionality. Here’s a general approach to achieving this: 1. **Identify the Device**: Determine the device model and manufacturer. 2. **Download the Driver**: Go to the manufacturer's website and look for drivers that include virtual COM port (VCP) functionality. For example, FTDI, Silicon Labs, and Prolific offer such drivers for their USB-to-serial converters. 3. **Install the Driver**: - Run the driver installation package provided by the manufacturer. - Follow the installation instructions. 4. **Configure the Device**: - Open **Device Manager**. - Find the device under the relevant category (e.g., USB Serial Port or similar). - Right-click the device and select **Properties**. - Go to the **Port Settings** tab, then click **Advanced**. - You should see an option to change the COM port number if needed. 5. **Assign a COM Port**: - If the device does not automatically emulate a COM port, you can manually assign one through the advanced settings mentioned above. ### Example for FTDI Devices 1. **Download FTDI VCP Drivers**: - Go to the FTDI website. - Download the appropriate driver for your operating system. 2. **Install the Driver**: - Run the downloaded driver installer. - Follow the installation prompts. 3. **Configure in Device Manager**: - Open Device Manager. - Locate the FTDI device under **Ports (COM & LPT)**. - Right-click and select **Properties**. - Go to **Port Settings** > **Advanced**. - Ensure the COM port is assigned as required. ### Troubleshooting - If the device is not showing up as expected, try disconnecting and reconnecting it. - Ensure that the latest drivers are installed. - Check for any conflict with existing COM ports and resolve them by reassigning the port numbers. If you need specific steps for your device model, providing the model and manufacturer will help tailor the instructions.

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  Answered 1 year ago by ZerstorenVerified Purchase

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Q: QuestionCan I hook up 2 printers with this connection on a laptop?

Asked 3 years ago by Dexter.

• A:Answer Yes.

  Answered 2 years ago by KendoVerified Purchase

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