Solved USB port on laptop partially working

On my Sony Vaio VPCF1 laptop, I have two usb ports. One is where I plug my logitech connector into and the other usb port next to it is where I plug in other devices as needed. These may be another thumb drive or my printer connection. This port works for all these different uses except now it will not recognize my external hard drives that I use when I do a system image. I have tried two different hard drives, one an SSD and the other a HHD. Both of these work on the other usb port. When I plug the external hard drives in to the port that no longer recognizes them, I can see them in device manager but I see nothing in file explorer or in disk management. There are no conflicts in device manager and all drivers are current. I was always able to use this usb port to utilize my eternal hard drive when I did a system image but now only works partially as mentioned. I did a clean install with WIN 11, everything is current and configured best performance power plan. So any advice would be appreciated so I can figure out how to maybe correct this or maybe I need to realize since my laptop is 11 years old, time to purchase a newer model

Sounds like one of the ports has gone bad or maybe gotten damaged. You might get a light and examine it closely. There my be dust or lint that could be blown out with canned air.
If you can't get it to work, you can buy a usb hub which would expand your one working port to multiple ports. I do highly suggest though that you purchase a externally powered hub since you intend to run external drives.

Ditto, on that suggestion.
I too have laptop(s) with dead USB ports, and a Hub is the answer. A powered Hub is best, if you can find one.

Cheers mate,
TM

Thanks for the advice, will follow through !