User profile for user: joeblack73
joeblack73 Author
User level: Level 1
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MacBook unable to detect USB devices after macOS Ventura update

Since update ventura (i think 13.2 or 13.3), i can use no usb device with my macbook (intel-base). I had already asked about this issue, with no successful answers. I thought to myself, maybe with later updates the issue will be fixed, but nothing came.

I have noticed that under the recovery mode, in disk utility, the usb (disk) is not recognized. Does it mean it is a hardware issue? if it is, why the energy charging works?

in virtual machine too (of different OS, ubuntu to name it), it doesn't work.

this is the longest lasting bug i ever met. I can understand apple engineers don't want to fix, profitabilty issues (built-in obsolescence), but even other engineers don't deem to find a fix for it.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook, macOS 13.7

Posted on May 2, 2025 8:00 AM

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
68,312 points

Posted on May 2, 2025 6:15 PM

The USB-C ports are very complicated since they can provide power to the laptop and also double as data transfer ports. Plus, if you rotate the USB-C cable connector 180º upside down you may find a device may actually work if the USB-C port is half bad.


More than likely you have some sort of hardware issue with the laptop. Either one of the I/O Boards (aka USB-C ports) is bad, or the Logic Board is bad.


FYI, I personally don't recommend repairing any 2016-2020 Intel Mac with USB-C ports for multiple reasons. The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
68,312 points

May 2, 2025 6:15 PM in response to joeblack73

The USB-C ports are very complicated since they can provide power to the laptop and also double as data transfer ports. Plus, if you rotate the USB-C cable connector 180º upside down you may find a device may actually work if the USB-C port is half bad.


More than likely you have some sort of hardware issue with the laptop. Either one of the I/O Boards (aka USB-C ports) is bad, or the Logic Board is bad.


FYI, I personally don't recommend repairing any 2016-2020 Intel Mac with USB-C ports for multiple reasons. The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.

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User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 7
31,895 points

May 2, 2025 8:37 AM in response to joeblack73

If a simple reboot of your Mac doesn’t fix things, see if the problem still happens in safe mode.


How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support 

Safe mode will often correct weird software behavior by forcing the OS to clear caches, do disk repair and other self-maintenance and housekeeping and temporarily disables third-party mods.


Does the same thing happen while in Safe mode?


You can exit safe mode by restarting your Mac normally, then reevaluate the problem.

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MacBook unable to detect USB devices after macOS Ventura update

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