Mac can't locate external CD drive

This made all the difference on my 2023 M2 Pro MacBook Pro, currently running macOS Sequoia 15.2.

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Allow accessories to connect > Always (other options available)

If I recall correctly, it is the Apple silicon chip that requires this.

Connect the CD/DVD drive directly to the computer rather than through a hub or dock.

Go to System Settings and scroll to the bottom of the sidebar. Does CDs & DVDs show up there? That is one indication that the Mac identifies the drive hardware.

Do you have Finder > Settings... > General check marked to "Show CDs, DVDs and iPods on the desktop"?

EDIT - Pinch, poke, Old Toad... you owe me a Coke! 🤣

I have a couple of external CD burners that I use connected to a MacBook Prom with M3 Max chip and they are both flakey with Sonoma. I burn CDs to use doing my radio show. Here at a few things I have found out:

If there is a CD that it can't read in the drive try this. Hold down the mouse or track pad button while you are connecting the drive to the computer, often this will eject a CD that can't be seen or read. First it will try to read it and then spit it out. Another thing to try is shut the computer off with Cd drive connected. Hold the mouse button down while starting up the computer. Y will have to hold it down a long time! I think the finder is spitting it out, so that need to load first.

To burn Cds on my setup I have to connect the CD drive after I have logged into the computer. In System Settings I have under 'CDs & DVDs" I have "Ask What to Do" selected so it asks when I put in a blank CD. When I have it set to open Music it does not work well. When I put in a blank CD is asks what to do with "Open Finder" selected so I just choose "OK". Then I go into "Music" select the playlist I want to burn and choose "Burn Playlist To disk" from the "File" menu. It is still flakey. If the computer looses contact with my player I have to unplug the player and plug it back in. Then start over, both of my drives work fine on my older computer.

I also read an article about in Macworld about a USB bug in Sonoma where you may have to go into

"System Settings->Privacy & Security->Allow Accessories to connect.

They said you may need to disconnect all US devices, change the setting then reboot your computer.

This option is all the way down near the bottom of the list of things in Privacy & Security.

Change the setting to "Always" I think they also said you may need to change the setting to another option and then back to "Always".

Solved this problem for my macBook.

1 in Finder>settings.General be sure th CDs, DVDs and Ipads line is checke

2 in finder>settings>sidebar check the CDs DVDs... line

3 use a CD drive with a USB-C plug. (Mine has a power connection but it is not connected)

two other drives with old USB plugs, which I tried connecting through an Apple adapter still don't work

Hope this works for you, too. My mac is a 16" MacBook Pro 2019 running Sonoma 14.5.

After chat with Apple this worked for me.

1 in Finder>settings >General be sure CDs,DVDs... line is checked

2 in Finder >Settings>Sidebar>Locations check the CDs, DVDs,... line

3 Use a CD drive which has a USB-C plug, plugged directly into your computer

(two drives with standard USB plugs connected through Apple adapter still do not work)

I am running a 16" 2019 MacBuuk Pro with Sonoma 14.5

jamesfromcloverdale wrote:

I have been having the same problem. For now, I seem to have solved it. The trick was to: 1) install the latest OS update. 2) plug the optical drive directly into the iMac, i.e. no intermediate hubs. I have no idea if that will work for all. BTW, my optical drive was purchased in 2017. Good luck to all.

Usual cause with SuperDrive is insufficient power, and that means using an adapter or dock that can provide that power.

A lot of third-party adapters and docks can’t.

Some of the third-party adapters have had specific notices about the (lack of) support for SuperDrive.

The Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter can provide enough power for SuperDrive, when connected to a USB-C port with enough power available.

I’ve successfully used some old externally-powered multi-format optical drives, as well.

Usual culprits: Bad USB cable, bad USB adapter, failed USB port, failed optical drive, or add-on anti-malware tangled.

Which iMac is this? The iMac 24”? Or an older model?

Does the LG optical drive work on another computer?

Does it show up in Disk Utility wen it hs a Disc in it?

Hi, sorry this answer omes so late and I hope that you’ve found a solution before now. I’ve just bought an m2 MacBook Air and my external dvd drive wasn’t being recognised by my Mac (connected via usb-c adapter). What worked for me, rebooting the Mac with dvd drive attached, drive was recognised straight away.

Hope this helps someone!

I have been having the same problem. For now, I seem to have solved it. The trick was to: 1) install the latest OS update. 2) plug the optical drive directly into the iMac, i.e. no intermediate hubs. I have no idea if that will work for all. BTW, my optical drive was purchased in 2017. Good luck to all.

Hi,

Try rebooting Mac with dvd drive connected and a disc in the drive.

that worked for me.

In Finder>Preferences>General & Sidebar, what all is chosen to show?

Do other USB things work in that port?

Doyou have it checked in Finder Preferences?

purchase the Apple Super drive it is the best!

I have use my Super drive the last five years or more?

I´m not running Sonoma,but Catalina,Big Sur,Monterey and Ventura, but there are not an issue,with Apple Super drive!