How widespread is the port problem on the Mini M4 and M4 Pro?

[hajime]

Hi,

How widespread is this problem? Are all users affected or just a small number of users?

Report: The M4 Mac mini's rear USB-C ports are causing headaches

Connected devices suddenly stop working or can't connect at all.

www.macworld.com

 

[PaulD-UK]

Quote from link: "This could be a sign of a problem between adapters communicating with the multi-purpose nature of the rear ports."

"The problem with extension cables in general is that they don't (and can't) have an e-marker ID chip, since by design, normal cables only have one addressable e-marker. Therefore, ...the device ...is (not) aware of the presence of an extension."

"ALL ABOUT USB-C: ILLEGAL ADAPTERS"
"...most reputable manufacturers don’t make them because they don’t want to fall out of favour with USB standards group."

 

[decipherkl]

My powered speaker would sometime get disconnected from the back TB5 port when waking from sleep. It used to be more frequent if I connect this speaker to the USB C hub of my Dell monitor.

While this speaker get disconnected, other connected speakers would still work - the Mac Mini M4 Pro's own speaker and the speaker on the Dell monitor.

A reboot is needed to resolve this. I find this very annoying. I actually bought a new USB C (TB5 on the mini) to USB micro (speaker end) cable and this didn't fully resolve the issue.

This didn't happen on my Mac Mini M1 for the full 4 years I had it. Suggestion to resolve this would be great.

 

[haralds]

I used to have regular USB disconnects after waking from sleep on my Studio M1 Ultra. But these were fixed many versions ago, I completely forgot the issue. I have no issues on my M4 mini Pro.

 

[macbug]

My powered speaker would sometime get disconnected from the back TB5 port when waking from sleep. It used to be more frequent if I connect this speaker to the USB C hub of my Dell monitor.

While this speaker get disconnected, other connected speakers would still work - the Mac Mini M4 Pro's own speaker and the speaker on the Dell monitor.

A reboot is needed to resolve this. I find this very annoying. I actually bought a new USB C (TB5 on the mini) to USB micro (speaker end) cable and this didn't fully resolve the issue.

This didn't happen on my Mac Mini M1 for the full 4 years I had it. Suggestion to resolve this would be great.

Could you try a test?

Create a new user & log in as them to see if you can replicate the problem? And, if so, take a look in the console to see if any alerts popped up around the same time the speakers dropped out. Thanks! Hopefully there's a fix that doesn't involve waiting for an OS update

 

[decipherkl]

Hi, after switching to the TB5 port it happened once and hasn't happened again after that.

 

[WCA]

No issues at all and I have used UGreen USBC to USBA adapters on the front and the back.

I am using them while awaiting my Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub from Sonnetech

 

[T|J]

I still have usb issues (randomly disconnecting usb accessories) with both rear and front ports, my Mac mini is M4 Pro 64GB 1TB. Upgrading OS did not solve this issue, I have latest for now macOS 26.0.1

I decided to send it to be checked under gurantee, Waiting for the answer if they will "fix" it or replace it.

 

[M4th]

No connection issues in any of the ports on the mini m4 pro, using all of them currently.

Only compared to how it feels plugging and unplugging with the ports on the Studio Display, the ports on the mini feel somewhat less securely seated... whereas on the Display, it's a much more noticeable snap snug fit.