What Are USB Headers On Motherboard? (Complete Guide)

Have you ever ever puzzled what makes the USB ports in your PC operate? If you happen to’re utilizing the USB ports on the entrance panel of your PC, know that all of them must be related to the motherboard, and the precise port you’re searching for is the USB header.

Principally, they’re a set of pins liable for sending indicators to USB ports. Nonetheless, the again panel USB ports and the extension playing cards wouldn’t have any relation to the USB headers, as they’ve a direct connection to the motherboard.

If you happen to want to be taught more about USB headers on motherboard, you’re on the proper place! On this article, you’ll find out about what USB headers are, the place they’re situated, their differing kinds, and how one can join USB ports to them.

What are USB Headers and The place are They Situated?

USB headers on a motherboard are merely the connectors that guarantee USB gadgets are accurately related. Typically, they’re situated on the backside or the correct facet of the circuit board, relying on the kind of USB header.

To find the USB headers, navigate to your motherboard and discover the labels having F_USB, J_USB, FPANEL_USB, F_USB2, or comparable indications. If you happen to can’t do this, you’ll be able to use your motherboard handbook to detect the place they precisely lie. 

Principally, these are simply the several types of USB headers, they usually differ by way of the variety of pins and their configuration. We shall be discussing all of them in additional sections.

Completely different Kinds of USB Headers

If you happen to’re constructing a customized PC, it’s important to know what USB header varieties your motherboard helps. 

Effectively, every of them differs based mostly on pins and the variety of USB ports they’ll assist. Though most USB headers can use two USB ports, some solely assist one.

Furthermore, the header varieties correspond precisely to the USB generations. This merely signifies that the USB header helps solely the type of USB technology you utilize. For instance, the USB 3.0 can’t be positioned within the USB 2.0 header resulting from measurement incompatibility. To be taught more, right here’s an entire information on the variations between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

Typically, USB headers will be labeled into 4 varieties or generations. On this part, we’ll talk about every of them briefly.

USB 2.0 Header

To verify that you’ve a USB 2.0 header, you’ll see that the label on the motherboard mentions ‘USB 2.0’. Effectively, this is among the commonest headers and is situated within the backside a part of most motherboards.

Furthermore, they’ve 9 pins in a 5×2 association, that means 5 pins every on two rows. Nonetheless, the second row has one pin lacking to make sure correct alignment.

USB 3.0 or 3.2 Gen 1 Header

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 header, beforehand referred to as USB 3.0, is recognized by the ‘USB 3.0’ label. They’re situated on the motherboard’s backside or proper facet, relying on numerous forms of motherboard. 

Though they give the impression of being fairly much like the USB 2.0 headers, they’re comparatively more environment friendly. Furthermore, they’ve a complete of nineteen pins in a ten×2 association, ten pins within the first row and 9 within the second. As within the USB 2.0 headers, additionally they have a pin lacking within the second row.

USB 3.1 or 3.2 Gen 2 Header

Just like the USB 3.0 header, the USB 3.1 or 3.2 Gen 2 will be situated both on the backside or proper facet of the motherboard.

Whereas each the earlier generations had pin association, the USB 3.1 wouldn’t have such a configuration. As a substitute, they undertake a distinctive metallic casing with no pins protruding.

USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Header

Principally, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 header is the superior type of the USB 3.2 Gen 2 header. Nonetheless, one factor to bear in mind is that they’re situated solely on the motherboard’s proper facet.

Effectively, the one distinction between these two headers lies within the channel. Whereas the USB 3.0, 3.1, and three.2 headers are single-channeled, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 helps twin channels.

Curiously, they’re additionally referred to as the USB Kind-E header and look very equivalent to the USB Kind-A ports. Furthermore, they’re uncommon to seek out and would possibly solely be accessible on trendy and expensive motherboards.

What’s the Distinction Between F_USB and J_USB?

Typically, most motherboard producers use F_USB1 or F_USB2 labels to point the entrance panel USB ports. So, the letter ‘F’ merely signifies ‘Entrance’ within the USB headers.

Nonetheless, you could not discover the F_USB header on each motherboard. Effectively, the rationale behind that is that another producers use a special letter to point the USB ports. For instance, you’ll find J_USB1, J_USB2, or comparable indications on an MSI motherboard.

Furthermore, most older PCs used J_USB headers, the place J stood for ‘Jumper’, they usually solely supported half-duplex communication. Sadly, this created impasse, and the USB gadgets usually malfunctioned. 

Later, a number of producers adopted USBs that supported full-duplex mode and named them F_USB. However even in the present day, you’ll find J_USB on MSI motherboards which have began supporting full-duplex, and the letter ‘J’ now stands for ‘Jack’.

So, the one distinction between F_USB and J_USB is the indications given by completely different producers. Actually, in case you discover another letters, additionally they may very effectively imply and do the identical work.

Do Again Panel USB Ports Require USB Headers?

Most customers choose the rear panel USB ports which are immediately embedded into the motherboard. Thus, you don’t want to attach them to the USB headers.

Equally, in case you’ve added a further USB enlargement card, they’re immediately plugged into the PCIe slot within the circuit board. Thus, you don’t require a further USB header connection for them as effectively.

How Do I Join USB Ports to the USB Headers?

Now that you already know the several types of USB headers, it’s important to be taught concerning the inner USB cable. Principally, they’re the extension cables that allow you to connect the USB ports to the USB headers.

In in the present day’s market, you’ll find two forms of inner USB cables – one with a USB header jack and one other with particular person wires for every pin. Though the working mechanism is similar, the connecting process for the latter one is a bit technical. Therefore, if the connection isn’t safe, you would possibly encounter errors like ‘USB Machine Over Present Standing Detected’.

With the fundamental concept of the varied pins, now you can undergo the guides beneath on connecting each forms of inner USB cables to the USB headers.

Connecting Inner USB Cable Jack

If you happen to’re utilizing a USB 3.0 or above, you’ll seemingly discover a jack as a substitute of particular person wires. Thus, it’s comparatively simple to attach it to the USB header with out having detailed information concerning the pins and their configuration.

Furthermore, a number of USB 2.0 inner cables today additionally include a jack, making the connection fairly easy for tech rookies. So, with out additional delay, let’s bounce proper into the mandatory steps for connecting inner USB header jacks to the USB headers on the motherboard:

1. Firstly, open the PC case utilizing a screwdriver or just urgent the devoted button, whichever is relevant.
   
2. Now, take the entrance panel USB panel and guarantee a correct connection. To take action, merely insert the connector into the port and tighten the connection by urgent each ends.
   
3. Then, you’ll be able to place the USB panel in its devoted slot on the PC case.
   
4. Subsequent, navigate to your motherboard and find the USB header by analyzing the label of the ports. Effectively, the placement of the USB header is both on the underside or proper facet, relying on the kind we mentioned earlier. 
5. Now, take the inner USB cable jack or the feminine twine and easily insert it into the USB header, guaranteeing appropriate pin alignment.
   
6. Lastly, shut the case, flip in your PC, and join a USB gadget to see if every part works advantageous.

Connecting Particular person USB Port Wires

When you’ve got an older model of the USB 2.0, you would possibly discover a completely different connector having particular person wires for every pin. In such a case, you’ll should know the place every of them must be related. 

If the wires aren’t correctly related, the PC gained’t acknowledge your USB gadgets, and within the worst case, this will trigger short-circuiting. So, please comply with the beneath process to get an concept of how to correctly join the person USB port wires to the USB headers:

1. Rigorously open the PC case and guarantee correct connection on the USB panel.
2. Then, insert the 2 VCC wires on the USB Header’s first pin from the left.
3. Subsequent, join the DATA- wires adjoining to the VCC pins.
4. Now, insert the DATA+ wires subsequent to the DATA-.
5. Then, place the GND wires within the fourth pin, leaving the ultimate one untouched.
   
6. Shut the PC case, and switch in your PC.
7. Lastly, join any USB gadget, like your keyboard, mouse, or flash drive to test whether or not they work or not.

Can I Add More USB Headers?

Typically, most motherboards include a most of two or three USB headers. Nonetheless, in case you’re planning to embed a further USB header, it’s inconceivable to take action.

Nonetheless, if in case you have a USB 2.0 adapter supporting a single USB gadget, you’ll be able to be part of two such cables into one. This fashion, you’ll be capable of use two completely different USB gadgets utilizing a single USB header:

1. To begin with, fastidiously take away the pins from one of many inner USB cable jacks utilizing a flat instrument or a pair of tweezers.
   
2. Now, fastidiously insert every pin (VCC, DATA-, DATA-, and GND) within the empty slot of the opposite cable jack. Whereas doing so, be certain that every of them is accurately aligned on their respective positions based mostly on the colours.
   
3. Lastly, insert the feminine connector into the USB header, and you must be capable of use two completely different USB gadgets concurrently.

You’ll be able to even use a USB hub to entry a more important variety of USB gadgets. Principally, the gadget takes only one USB port out of your PC and offers you with a number of further USB ports.

Lastly, it’s also possible to add USB extension playing cards on to the PCIe slot within the motherboard. This fashion, you wouldn’t have to fret about further USB headers.