Hi. The USB ports on my lenovo y430 seem not to be working, as the computer does not recognize my external harddisks or external dvd writer. Is there any way I can fix this myself?

Your USB ports on your computer are plug and play. If you have issues with your USB port, it is port related, driver related or device related. The following solutions will help you identify the problem to resolve your USB port issues.
To Identify a Working USB Port
Begin troubleshooting your USB ports by checking Device Manager to see if your USB ports or hubs are working properly.

1. Click the Start button. ClickControl Panel.
2. ClickSystem and Maintenance.
3. ClickDevice Manager.
4. Double-clickUniversal Serial Bus controllersand check to see if all your USB ports, hubs and controllers are functioning correctly. Any devices not functioning will have a yellow exclamation mark in front of them.
5. If Device Manager shows any USB ports, hubs or controllers are not functioning, check for updated drivers.

To Update the USB Port Driver

• Information onHow to Download and Install a Driver

• Watch a Video on Steps to Update Bios on Your Computer.
1. When the update process is complete, your computer will restart again to load the operating system with the new driver version installed.

To Run a Diagnostic Test on your USB Port

1. Go to theDell PC Diagnosticpage
2. UnderChoose a Diagnostic Type, selectHardware.
3. Using the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the window below, locate the listing for USB.
4. SelectUSB.
5. ClickRun Diagnostics.
6. Agreeto Terms and Conditions in Legal Statement.
7. Follow the instructions to test each USB port.

If you have tried every USB port and you use another USB device to it.. You may check the device manager and check if the USB controllers are disabled.. If not, you may click View and then click Scan Hardware Changes.. If still won't work, that is time that you call lenovo and have you laptop replaced defective USB ports..