Mac Not Recognizing USB External Drives

[mdragacevic]

Basically, I have a MacBook Early 2015 (A1534) with no USB Inputs, only a USB-C input for power or USB-C to USB adapter.

The weird thing is: Having the USB-C to USB adapter, my Macbook is recognizing USB sticks but NOT recognizing things like my iPhone, Pioneer Mixer, External Mouse - only giving them power when connected, ie: charging my iPhone and my Pioneer Mixer lighting up but they are not showing up in System Report > USB.

What is the issue? I'm hinting towards some power or USB Bus/Driver issue on my MacBook as these devices are showing up on other Macs. If there is a thread that discusses this issue, please direct me to it! Thanks.

Troubleshooting:
1. Wiping and reinstalling Mojave - No luck
2. Creating new/guest account and seeing if iPhone/Pioneer is detected - No luck
3. Using original USB-C to USB Adapter - No luck
4. Updating to Catalina - No luck and thank god I downgraded back to Mojave, Catalina is a MESS!
5. PRAM/NVRAM/SMC Reset - No luck
6. Apple Support - No luck, about as clueless as I am regarding this issue.

 

[colourfastt]

Basically, I have a MacBook Early 2015 (A1534) with no USB Inputs, only a USB-C input for power or USB-C to USB adapter.

The weird thing is: Having the USB-C to USB adapter, my Macbook is recognizing USB sticks but NOT recognizing things like my iPhone, Pioneer Mixer, External Mouse - only giving them power when connected, ie: charging my iPhone and my Pioneer Mixer lighting up but they are not showing up in System Report > USB.

What is the issue? I'm hinting towards some power or USB Bus/Driver issue on my MacBook as these devices are showing up on other Macs. If there is a thread that discusses this issue, please direct me to it! Thanks.

Troubleshooting:
1. Wiping and reinstalling Mojave - No luck
2. Creating new/guest account and seeing if iPhone/Pioneer is detected - No luck
3. Using original USB-C to USB Adapter - No luck
4. Updating to Catalina - No luck and thank god I downgraded back to Mojave, Catalina is a MESS!
5. PRAM/NVRAM/SMC Reset - No luck
6. Apple Support - No luck, about as clueless as I am regarding this issue.

I've had this problem for over 3 years (since installing HS). I have yet to come up with a solution; the odd thing is that thumb drives do work but external HDDs don't.

 

[richmlow]

With your computer turned on and logged into your account (desktop showing), disconnect your external device (from the USB port) and then immediately reconnect your external device. Then, check to see if macOS detects your external device.


richmlow

Basically, I have a MacBook Early 2015 (A1534) with no USB Inputs, only a USB-C input for power or USB-C to USB adapter.

The weird thing is: Having the USB-C to USB adapter, my Macbook is recognizing USB sticks but NOT recognizing things like my iPhone, Pioneer Mixer, External Mouse - only giving them power when connected, ie: charging my iPhone and my Pioneer Mixer lighting up but they are not showing up in System Report > USB.

What is the issue? I'm hinting towards some power or USB Bus/Driver issue on my MacBook as these devices are showing up on other Macs. If there is a thread that discusses this issue, please direct me to it! Thanks.

Troubleshooting:
1. Wiping and reinstalling Mojave - No luck
2. Creating new/guest account and seeing if iPhone/Pioneer is detected - No luck
3. Using original USB-C to USB Adapter - No luck
4. Updating to Catalina - No luck and thank god I downgraded back to Mojave, Catalina is a MESS!
5. PRAM/NVRAM/SMC Reset - No luck
6. Apple Support - No luck, about as clueless as I am regarding this issue.

 

[colourfastt]

With your computer turned on and logged into your account (desktop showing), disconnect your external device (from the USB port) and then immediately reconnect your external device. Then, check to see if macOS detects your external device.


richmlow

I don't know if that'll help the OP, but I've tried that several times with both external drives with no good result.