Level 1

93 points

USB problem/Thunderbolt on Mac mini M4

(USB mouse & keyboard) intermittent connection problems through various adaptors & cords:

Connected to the Apple USB-C to USB Adapter through the front USB-C ports - ok there.

But, on the back Thunderbolt ports, using my OWC Thunderbolt-to-USB-C adapter cord connected with a USB-C female-to-USB-A female adapter with either the mouse or keyboard does not hold a strong connection, sometimes not at all.

3 back ports and they're relatively useless to me right now. Any suggestions to make this Thunderbolt work?

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 23, 2024 02:46 PM

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uwsc11

Level 1

37 points

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 12:47 PM

I have a Mac Mini M4 Pro and have seen the following. I have an external NVMe enclosure on the Thunderbolt port in the back. That drive stays connected!

I have another external enclosure with old HDD drives for my Time Machine backup connected on the back port via a USB-C to USB-B cable. That enclosure does NOT stay connected and I get a message every morning that my Time Machine was not ejected correctly.

I have moved it to the front port and so far it has been staying connected, but I will monitor for a few more days.

In summary I am experiencing USB 3.x devices on the back ports loosing connection. TB devices on the back ports remaining connected.

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72 replies

Rdkam

Level 1

24 points

Jan 23, 2025 12:28 PM in response to hcsitas

The main value of the article is confirmation that more that four of us are having issues in the regard :)

hcsitas

Level 6

13,958 points

Jan 23, 2025 12:37 PM in response to Rdkam

That’s value to the four of you, agreed 😁

hcsitas

Level 6

13,958 points

Jan 23, 2025 09:32 PM in response to Brent Spear

What? It’s an Apple TB5 Cable sold to connect to an Apple TB5 port, noob. Also Mr. “30 years experienced engineer”, the front ports are not the same as the rear ones. Read the spec (slowly).

Jan 26, 2025 07:41 PM in response to swipod touch

With this thread gaining traction over the last few weeks, I really hope that someone from Apple takes notice.

uwsc11

Level 1

37 points

Feb 3, 2025 08:29 AM in response to hcsitas

I changed my power settings and I have not seen any further disconnects on the back ports for the last week. Let's hope that it stays that way!

hcsitas

Level 6

13,958 points

Feb 3, 2025 08:39 AM in response to uwsc11

Great, thanks for updating!

hcsitas

Level 6

13,958 points

Feb 3, 2025 09:36 AM in response to John Smiley

Great, thanks for updating!

Feb 5, 2025 09:58 PM in response to PanamaMacUser

Mine is also the front, not the rear. I can plug devices in the back with no problems. I only found this out after I was having problems with the front and swapped to test.

Rdkam

Level 1

24 points

Feb 21, 2025 04:15 PM in response to macsense

I just recently upgraded to the newest OS and intend to test it all again .

Apr 7, 2025 11:06 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Yeah, absolutely should not be necessary. I'm not sure there's enough space on the 3 rear ports on the Mac Mini M4 but I might try those until I have time to take it down to Apple.

Jun 15, 2025 10:56 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

I used the exactly same usb to usb C connector and the problem is same with the thunderbolt ports,You need to manually remove the usbc from the thunderbolt and reinsert it then only it works again

Jun 15, 2025 11:00 AM in response to VARanger1

Let me try this

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USB problem/Thunderbolt on Mac mini M4