Mac Mini M1 USB issues

[sneeks]

Received my refurbished Mac Mini M1 8/256 yesterday and initially all appeared to be ok. I’m using a Logitech keyboard and mouse with a unifying receiver which works great in one of the USB-A ports however if I then add a external HDD to the other USB-A port the keyboard and mouse lose connection. Sometimes both keyboard and mouse stop working, other times only one of them. I’ve also tried using a hub in one of the USB 4 ports with either a HDD or the unifying receiver attached but have the same issue. I’m also experiencing the problem with no output to my TV via HDMI when the Mini wakes from sleep mode.

If I cannot rely on the ports being functional with more than one device connected then I may have to return this and instead opt for a iPad Pro 2020 model which would meet most of my daily requirements for a similar cost. My main use will be for photo editing using Lightroom and occasionally Photoshop.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Received my refurbished Mac Mini M1 8/256 yesterday and initially all appeared to be ok. I’m using a Logitech keyboard and mouse with a unifying receiver which works great in one of the USB-A ports "

Something is wrong here.
The m1 Mini DOES NOT HAVE USB "A" ports.

If you are using a Logitech "unifying receiver" (which to my knowledge only comes in a USB-A style), and if you're plugging it directly into the back of the Mini, you don't have an m1 Mini -- you have an Intel-based Mini.

Having said that...
What's going wrong is that you're getting USB electrical "interference" that is disrupting the Logitech signal (which is on the weak side by design).

What you need is a USB3 "extension" cable like this, about 3ft long:

Echo Park Paper Company Snow Fall Stencil

Echo Park Paper Company Snow Fall Stencil

www.amazon.com

Plug it into one of the USB A ports on the back of the Mini, and plug the unifying receiver into the other end.
Then, "loop the cable" away from the back of the Mini, and towards where your mouse is.

Yes, I realize "it's clunky".
But... it's "what works".

 

[rspeaker]

Mac mini - Technical Specifications

See all the technical specifications for Mac mini with the M4 or M4 Pro chip.

www.apple.com

The M1 mini definitely has two USB-A ports.

Can’t help with the poster’s actual issue, though.

 

[Fishrrman]

Ah, OK...
I was confusing that with the new iMac!

But... in any case... the recommendation for the USB "extension cable" is still valid.
The idea is to get the unifying receiver AWAY FROM the USB3 ports, and USB3 connecting cables, so there is less chance of interference...

 

[sneeks]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll give that a try and hopefully it’ll cure the issue.

 

[lie2me]

Received my refurbished Mac Mini M1 8/256 yesterday and initially all appeared to be ok. I’m using a Logitech keyboard and mouse with a unifying receiver which works great in one of the USB-A ports however if I then add a external HDD to the other USB-A port the keyboard and mouse lose connection. Sometimes both keyboard and mouse stop working, other times only one of them. I’ve also tried using a hub in one of the USB 4 ports with either a HDD or the unifying receiver attached but have the same issue. I’m also experiencing the problem with no output to my TV via HDMI when the Mini wakes from sleep mode.

If I cannot rely on the ports being functional with more than one device connected then I may have to return this and instead opt for a iPad Pro 2020 model which would meet most of my daily requirements for a similar cost. My main use will be for photo editing using Lightroom and occasionally Photoshop.

I think this is a power issue at the USB A ports. I have a power hub in one USB-A port and my wired Apple mac keyboard and Kennsington trackball in the second USB-A port via a USB extension cable. I occasionally lose mouse/keyboard functionality. To fix it, I have to unplug the keyboard from the USB extension and then replug it back in so that the MAC MINI M1 recognizes the keyboard and the mouse once again. Maybe another powered USB hub could help isolate the Mac Mini M1. Apple expects us to be using bluetooth devices instead of wired now days.

 

[biffuz]

This happens with several mouse receivers, when they're plugged in a port close to a USB3 device (or 4k displays, or wifi). The mouse radio works at almost the same frequencies, and the receiver is very sensitive.
Placing the receiver further away is the only solution, in another port or with an extension.