Hello,
This issue of your USB 3.2 Gen2 HUB sometimes connecting the flash drive as a USB 2.0 device may be caused by a few factors. Let's try to diagnose and address them:
1. Faulty or weak USB flash drive contacts: Ensure that the contacts of your USB flash drive are clean, undamaged, and establish a strong connection when plugged into the HUB. If the device is old or has been through a lot of wear and tear, the contacts could be causing intermittent connectivity issues being recognized as USB 3.
2. USB hub port contacts: Similar to the above, make sure the USB hub ports and contacts are clean, undamaged, and secure the USB devices properly. Any loose connections could cause the device to fall back to USB 2.0 speeds.
3. Driver and firmware updates: Check your USB hub manufacturer's website for any available firmware or driver updates. Installing the latest drivers can sometimes solve compatibility or performance-related issues.
4. Power-related issues: USB 3.0 and above require more power to operate. Suppose the hub is not receiving adequate power from the computer or an external power source (if it's a powered hub). In that case, it could default to lower current USB 2.0 speeds to prevent any connectivity failure.
Unfortunately, there isn't a direct method within the Windows operating system to force a USB port or hub to only use USB 3.0 or higher speeds. Windows automatically chooses the highest speed connection available when both the host and device are connected.
You may try the following steps to see if it helps with getting a more consistent USB 3.2 Gen2 connection:
1. Try connecting your USB flash drive directly to your computer's USB 3.0 ports. If the issue persists there, then it could be related to your computer or flash drive itself.
2. If possible, test your hub with a different computer to see if the issue remains. If it does, then it's probably the hub that's malfunctioning, and you might need to replace it.
I hope these suggestions help in resolving your issue. Let us know if you need any further assistance.