The USB accessories disabled alert is arguably one of the most common errors experienced by end-users while trying to connect an external device to a Mac or MacBook. When you see it, one tip to keep in mind is to try more than one common solution and see if it helps. It might seem daunting, but that’s why we’ve crafted this guide for you.
How to fix USB accessories disabled alert for macOS
No matter, what amount of goodies Apple offers in macOS to get your work done, you’ll always need some additional hardware or peripherals to make the most of your device. Sadly, when you try to connect them, you may see USB accessories disabled alert, prompting you to take some action. If you have no idea how to fix this, run through the contents of this post. It will help you get rid of the issue!
- Disconnect and reconnect the external device to your device.
- Connect your external device to a different port on your device.
- Connect your device directly to your Mac (without USB or Thunderbolt hub).
- If your USB or Thunderbolt hub uses self-power, connect it to an AC adapter.
Let’s cover the process in a bit more detail!
How do I get my Mac to recognize my USB?
The alert text usually displays the following message – Unplug the accessory using too much power to re-enable USB devices.
1] Disconnect and reconnect the external device to your device
In most cases, you can get rid of the MacBook USB accessories disabled error by simply disconnecting the external drive from your computer and then, reconnecting it again. Just keep a time interval of 10-20 seconds between the disconnection and reconnection process.
2] Connect your external device to a different port on your device
Computers with Apple silicon have either the Thunderbolt / USB 4 port or the Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) port, depending on the model. The ports allow data transfer, video output, and charging through the same cable. So, if you are experiencing trouble connecting your external device to one of the ports, try a different port.
3] Connect your device directly to your Mac (without USB or Thunderbolt hub)
On iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), the thunderbolt symbol appears above each Thunderbolt / USB 4 port. You can use either of the ports with the Thunderbolt symbol to connect your external device to Mac directly.
4] If your USB or Thunderbolt hub uses self-power, connect it to an AC adapter
Lastly, if your USB or Thunderbolt hub uses self-power, connect it to an AC adapter. For the best experience, you should use the power adapter and cable included with your Mac notebook. Learn more about your Mac Power Adapters, here.
Leave a Reply