Fix: ‘Mac USB Ports not Working’ issue

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Many people want to know how to Fix ‘Mac USB Ports not Working’ issue. The USB-C port has become one of the main ways that data and power get into and out of your computer in the modern age. Only one or two of these ports will be on most machines. Because of this, a broken USB-C port can severely limit what a computer can do. Even though cloud storage is becoming more popular, we still use the USB ports on Macs a lot to connect storage devices and other devices like mice and keyboards.

So, if the USB port on your Mac doesn’t work, it will also hurt your work and productivity. If your Mac doesn’t recognize a USB, it might be because it’s not running well overall. If you regularly optimize your Mac, you can avoid a lot of these problems. Macs usually work perfectly, but sometimes strange things happen. One case like this is when a Mac’s USB ports stop working all of a sudden, seemingly out of the blue. USB ports that stop working for no reason can happen for a number of reasons, or for no reason at all. The good news is that it’s usually very easy to Fix ‘Mac USB Ports not Working’ issue.

Fix: ‘Mac USB Ports not Working’ issue

Check for updates

1. Go to the App Store and see if there are any updates for the system.
2. Update the firmware and software for each app that needs it.
3. Turn the Mac back on.
4. Check to see if the Mac’s USB is working.

SMC Needs A Reset

If restarting your MacBook Pro doesn’t make your USB port work again, you may need to reset the SMC. The SMC is in charge of power-related tasks like thermal management, battery charging, and how the USB-C port works. If the USB-C ports on your MacBook Pro are giving you trouble, you can try resetting the SMC as a troubleshooting step. Resetting the SMC is a bit like doing finger gymnastics, but it usually makes the USB-C port on your MacBook work again. So, you should give it a shot. Here’s how to turn off your MacBook Pro’s SMC:

On Intel-based Macs

1. Hold down the Control, Option, and Shift keys at the same time.
2. Press and hold the power button after seven seconds.
3. At this point, your MacBook Pro will turn off, but hold the keys down for another seven seconds.
4. Then, wait ten seconds and press the power button again to turn on your MacBook Pro.

On Apple Silicon Macs

1. Put your Mac to sleep.
2. Hold the power button for at least 10 seconds, then let go.
3. To turn on your Mac, wait a few seconds and then press the power button again.

Reset PRAM/NVRAM

1. Hold down the Command+Option (ALT)+P+R keys while pressing the power button.
2. Before the system turns on, the screen will flash, and it will make a sound. It will take a few seconds until that doesn’t let go of the keys.
3. Mac will start up as usual with the chime sound.

Dead External Drive

Sometimes, the drive you try to connect to the USB-C port on your Mac is broken. In that case, there’s nothing wrong with the USB-C port on your Mac. Plug something else into the USB-C port to see if the drive is dead. If it works, the problem is with your external hard drive and not the USB-C port on your MacBook Pro. You can also try connecting the external drive, which might be broken, to a different computer. If it won’t work with that computer either, it’s broken. You can also use these steps to figure out if an external drive is dead:

1. In the Menu bar, click the Apple icon.
2. Click on System Information while holding down the Option key.
3. Open the USB section in the left sidebar, under Hardware.
4. If you can see your external drive here but it doesn’t work on your Mac, it’s not the USB ports that are broken; it’s the drive.
5. Check the drive’s documentation for tips on how to fix problems.

Faulty USB Device

There’s a good chance that the problem isn’t with your USB-C port but with the device or accessory you’ve plugged into it. It’s possible that its USB C cable is old, too hot, or just using too much power. Here are some steps you can take to figure out what’s wrong:

1. First, disconnect all USB devices that aren’t necessary except for the one you want to test.
2. Set up a direct connection to the MacBook without using a hub or an extra USB C cable.
3. If the device works fine, the problem is caused by one of your other USB devices.
4. Do this with all of your USB devices to figure out which one is broken.

Besides this, there are a few other things you can look for, such as:

1. If the USB C cable for the device is worn out, try another one.
2. If you’re using a USB C hub, both the device and the hub must have the same data speed, like connecting a USB 3.0 Hi-Speed device to a USB 3.0 Hi-Speed hub.
3. Install the most recent software for the device from the developer’s website.

Common reasons for USB ports not working on Mac

1. Physical Damage: Physical damage to the USB port or the connected USB device can cause the port to stop working.
2. Loose Connection: Sometimes, a loose connection between the USB cable and the port can lead to connectivity issues.
3. Outdated macOS: Running an outdated macOS version may cause compatibility issues with certain USB devices.
4. USB Device Compatibility: Some USB devices may not be fully compatible with macOS, leading to malfunctioning or non-recognition.
5. Power Issues: Insufficient power supply to the USB port may result in certain devices not working properly.
6. Software Glitches: Software glitches or driver conflicts can prevent the proper functioning of USB ports.
7. Overloaded USB Bus: Connecting too many USB devices simultaneously can overload the USB bus and lead to port issues.

Conclusion

It’s very annoying when a Mac’s USB ports don’t work. If one of the USB ports doesn’t work, you won’t be able to use external backups or other devices that need the USB port. With the above solutions, it goes without saying that you can easily fix and recover data from a USB that doesn’t work on a Mac. These tips will make it easier for you to reset your Mac’s USB ports.

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