USB connection: This is what the different colors mean
Related Videos: PC USB Ports Explained (April 2024).
A USB port can have different colors. There are generally blue, yellow, black and red connections. We clarify what the different colors mean.
What the different colors of the USB connection mean:
- Black: Black USB ports stand for the standard USB 2.0 ports. Here you can safely connect all USB devices (mouse, keyboard, old USB sticks). Please note, however, that USB 3.0 compatible devices cannot use the full speed!
- Blue: A blue USB port is a USB 3.0 port. The latest technology of the USB connections ensures a particularly fast transfer rate. To be able to use the full transmission speed, you should definitely connect the devices that are USB 3.0 compatible (external hard drive, USB stick) to this port.
- Yellow: Such USB ports have a permanent power supply, even when your PC or laptop is switched off. This port can also serve as a charging station for a smartphone. The prerequisite for this is that you only insert the power plug from the laptop into the socket. If you use a power strip, you should make sure that the power switch is not set to "off".
- Red: Red connections can be partially a USB 2.0 connection or a 3.0 connection. It can therefore be the case that certain manufacturers do not fully adhere to the "rule" of different colors for USB connections. For example, certain ASUS boards are equipped with black and red ports, although all USB ports are only USB 2.0 compatible. If in doubt, read the manual from the mainboard.
If all USB ports are the same color ...
doesn’t mean that it’s just USB 2.0 ports. Sometimes manufacturers do without the colors and mark the various USB ports with symbols. Therefore, look around the respective USB port to see if you can find a symbol. "Flashes" usually stand for permanent power supply (yellow connection). "3.0" or "SS (SuperSpeed)" stand for the fast USB 3.0 connection. Only if all connections are marked with the official USB logo are they only 2.0 connections.
We explain the differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 in this practical tip.