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Ports, cables and peripherals

Learn to recognise the common ports on a laptop, which cable goes where, and how printers, headphones, webcams and other devices connect. You will know what to check when a device will not connect.

25 minbeginnerPractical task needs a laptop or desktop

Marking a lesson as read does not prove you can do it. Skills count as demonstrated when you pass the quiz (not yet) and complete the practical tasks (not yet).

By the end of this lesson you will be able to

  • Recognise USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and audio ports by shape.
  • Say what each port is used for.
  • Explain the difference between wired and wireless accessories.
  • Check whether a device will fit and work before you buy or connect it.
  • Work through simple steps when a device does not seem to connect.

The sockets on the side of a laptop are how you connect it to the rest of the world: a monitor, a mouse, a printer, headphones, a network cable. They look similar but are not interchangeable, and pushing a plug into the wrong one can break it. Once you can recognise each port, you can shop for cables with confidence and fix many “it will not connect” problems in a minute.

What a port is

A Port is a socket on a computer where you plug in a cable or a device. The shape of the plug and port fit together so they only go in the correct way. If a plug does not slide in easily, it is probably the wrong port or upside down. Never force it.

A Peripheral is any device that connects to a computer from outside, to add input or output: a mouse, a printer, a webcam, a pair of speakers. Peripherals are the external parts from the first lesson of this module.

Recognising the common ports

Illustration

The ports along one edge of a typical laptop, numbered.

12345678
The ports along one edge of a typical laptop, numbered.
Read this figure as text

A drawn laptop edge with eight numbered sockets: charging port, USB-C, HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet, audio jack, memory card slot and vents.

Marker 1 is the charging port. Marker 2 is a USB-C port, small, oval and reversible. Marker 3 is an HDMI port, which sends picture and sound to a monitor or television, with one slightly angled side. Marker 4 is a USB-A port, the classic rectangular socket that only fits one way up. Marker 5 is an Ethernet port, wider than USB, for a network cable. Marker 6 is the audio jack for wired headphones. Marker 7 is a memory card slot. Marker 8 is the ventilation slots, which are not a port: keep them clear. Laptops differ, and many have fewer ports than this.

What each port is for.
PortUsed forWatch out for
USB-AFlash drives, mice, keyboards, printersFits one way up only; try turning it over, not forcing it.
USB-CCharging, data, and sometimes a monitorNot every USB-C port or cable does everything. Check the markings or manual.
HDMIPicture and sound to a monitor or TVUse an HDMI cable, not an Ethernet cable, which looks similar from far away.
EthernetA wired connection to the router or networkMany thin laptops have none; a USB adapter can add one.
Audio jackWired headphones and microphonesSome laptops have one jack that serves both; some have none.

Wired and wireless

Many devices can connect without a cable. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless link used for headphones, speakers, mice and keyboards. Some wireless mice and keyboards instead come with a tiny USB receiver that you plug in. Wireless is tidy and convenient, but needs batteries or charging, can drop out, and takes a moment to set up. Wired is simple and reliable, and nothing needs charging.

Diagram

Wired and wireless accessories compared.

WiredCable to a port
  • Nothing to charge
  • Works when plugged in
  • Needs a free port
  • Limited by cable length

Simple and reliable.

WirelessBluetooth or USB receiver
  • No cable clutter
  • Needs batteries or charging
  • Needs setting up once
  • Can drop out or lag

Tidy and convenient.

Wired and wireless accessories compared.
Read this figure as text

Two columns comparing wired accessories with wireless ones.

Wired: needs a free port and a cable; nothing to charge; usually works as soon as it is plugged in; limited by cable length. Wireless (Bluetooth or a USB receiver): no cable clutter; needs batteries or charging; needs setting up once; can drop out or lag; a USB receiver can be lost. Neither is better for everything.

Common peripherals

When you plug in a new peripheral, the operating system recognises it and loads a driver, a small program that tells the system how to talk to that device. Most common devices work at once on Ubuntu and Windows because the drivers are built in. Very new or unusual devices may need an extra download from the maker.

Before you buy or connect

Ask three questions. First, does the plug fit? Check the port types on your laptop. Second, does my computer support it? Look at the box or the maker's page for Ubuntu or Windows support; many devices work on both, but a few are made for one only. Third, is the cable the right kind? For example, a USB-C cable for charging is not always suitable for video.

Diagram

What to check when a new device does not seem to work.

  • Does the plug go into a port on your laptop without force?
    • YesDoes the device show a light or other sign of power?
      • YesDoes the computer list the device in Settings?
        • YesDo thisThe hardware link is fine. Any remaining problem is in the program or its settings.
        • NoDo thisRestart the computer, try again, then check the maker's page for Ubuntu or Windows support.
      • NoDo thisTry another cable and port. Check its batteries or charge. Try it on another computer.
    • NoDo thisCheck the port type. You may need an adapter or a different cable. Never force a plug.
What to check when a new device does not seem to work.
Read this figure as text

A decision tree about a device that will not connect, covering plug fit, cable and port, and operating system support.

Start: does the plug go into a port on your laptop without force? If no, you may need an adapter or a different cable; check the port type. If yes: does the device show a light or sign of power? If no, try another cable or port, and check batteries or charging. If yes: does the computer show it in Settings (Bluetooth or Devices)? If no, restart the computer, and then check the maker's page for Ubuntu or Windows support. If yes, the connection works and any problem is in the program or settings.

Pairing a Bluetooth device

Put the device in pairing mode first (the maker's instructions say how, often a held button and a flashing light).

On Ubuntu 24.04

  1. Step 1: Open Bluetooth settings

    Open Settings and choose Bluetooth in the left-hand list. Make sure Bluetooth is switched on.

  2. Step 2: Pick the device

    Wait for the device name to appear under Devices, then click it.

    You should see: The device name should change to show Connected.

Practise naming the numbered ports and parts on pictures of a laptop, a motherboard and a router.

Loading lab…

Common mistakes

  • ✖ Instead of: Forcing a plug into a port that does not seem to fit.

    ✔ Do this: Check the shape and orientation. A forced plug can bend pins or crack the port. Use an adapter if the types differ.

  • ✖ Instead of: Assuming every USB-C cable can charge, send data and carry video.

    ✔ Do this: USB-C is just the shape. Cables and ports differ in what they support. Check the markings or the maker's details.

  • ✖ Instead of: Pulling out a flash drive or a camera card while files are still copying.

    ✔ Do this: Use the eject or safely remove option, wait for it to finish, then remove the device.

If something goes wrong

My monitor stays black after I connect it by HDMI.
Check both ends of the cable are fully in, that the monitor is switched on and set to the HDMI input, and try another HDMI cable. On the laptop, press the Super key and P on Ubuntu or the Windows key and P on Windows to choose how to use the second screen.
I plug in headphones but sound still comes from the speakers.
Open the sound settings (the system menu on Ubuntu or the speaker icon on Windows) and choose the headphones as the output. Check that the plug is fully in.
My Bluetooth device does not appear in the list.
Make sure it is charged and in pairing mode (often a flashing light), and that Bluetooth is on in Settings. If it still does not appear, switch the device off and on and try again.

Key terms

Port
A socket on a computer where you plug in a cable or a device.
USB-C
A small oval USB plug that fits either way up and can carry data, video and power.
HDMI
A common connection that carries picture and sound to a monitor or television.
Peripheral
A device that connects to a computer from outside to add input or output.
Bluetooth
A short-range wireless technology for connecting nearby devices such as headphones and keyboards.
Ethernet
A wired way to connect a device to a network using a cable.

Practise it for real

Reading is not the same as being able to do it. Complete these on your own computer, then tick only what you have actually done. These ticks are your own honest record: nothing checks them for you.

Guided exerciseNeeds a laptop or desktop

Survey the ports on your laptop

Look at both sides and the back of your laptop (or desktop). List every port you find and say what you think it is for, using the shapes in this lesson. For each, note whether you currently use it. If you are not sure, take a note of the shape and compare it with the figures. Do not plug anything in just to test.

You have succeeded when:
Independent challenge

Challenge: plan how to connect a second screen

Fatuma has a laptop with one HDMI port and two USB-C ports, and a monitor with one HDMI input and one DisplayPort input. Write down which cable she needs and into which ports it should go. Then write what you would check if the monitor stays black after connecting it, in order.

You have succeeded when:

Knowledge check

6 questions. You need 80% to pass. Mistakes here are part of learning, and you can retry as often as you like.

  1. Question 1.Match each port to its description.
  2. Question 2.Wanjiru wants to show her laptop's picture and sound on a television. Which cable is the most suitable if both have HDMI ports?
  3. Question 3.If a plug does not slide easily into a port, you should push harder.
  4. Question 4.Joseph plugs in a new USB mouse. The light under the mouse does not come on and the pointer does not move.What should he try first?
  5. Question 5.Which is a real disadvantage of a wireless mouse compared with a wired one?
  6. Question 6.Put these checks in a sensible order when a new device does not work.
    1. Check the plug and port are the right type and fully in
    2. Restart, then check support on the maker's page
    3. Check the device has power or charge
    4. Look for it in Settings

Summary

  • A port is a socket; shapes fit only one way. Never force a plug.
  • USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and the audio jack each have their own shape and job.
  • Peripherals add input or output; the system uses drivers to talk to them.
  • Wired is simple and reliable; wireless is tidy but needs charge and setup.
  • When a device will not work: check the plug, power, Settings, then restart and check support.

Checklist: can you do these?

Marking a lesson as read does not prove you can do it. Skills count as demonstrated when you pass the quiz (not yet) and complete the practical tasks (not yet).

Related lessons

References and further reading

Official sources for details that can change between versions.

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