Mac Studio (OS Sequoia) not recognising SuperDrive

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Level 1

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Mac Studio (OS Sequoia) not recognising SuperDrive

My old SuperDrive, which up until recently has been working reliably for years, has suddenly stopped accepting discs on my Mac Studio running Sequoia. It was fine until I updated the OS. It was plugged into USB-C with a USB to USB-C adapter, and has worked perfectly everytime for 12 months.

Just in case it was the adapter, I plugged it into the USB port on the rear and it worked for a day or so, then suddenly stopped accepting discs again.

So I booted up my old iMac (Late 2012) running Catalina. This is the Mac I've been using the SuperDrive on since 2012, and it never skipped a beat. And lo and behold, it worked first go, just like it always has.

I immediately plugged the SuperDrive back into the Studio Mac, and again, nothing.

Is it possible the latest OS isn't as compatible with the old SuperDrive? Has anyone else had this issue?

Mac Studio, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 24, 2024 12:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WheelieNick

Level 8

42,115 points

Nov 24, 2024 2:20 PM in response to voorzees

I have the latest OS and my superDrive is working fine. I am using however the official Apple USB to USB C adapter. Years ago when I bought the superdrive the guy at the Apple Store told me that it can behave differently on a non apple adapter so I bought that one

at my dads iMac the superdrive is working fine with a third party adapter, also on the latest macOS. It is weird that it is not working as expected at your Mac, the only thing that I can reccommend is using the official Apple usb to USB c to see if the issues persist

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Answer 2

Nov 25, 2024 7:13 AM in response to voorzees

THE biggest issue we discover working with users with these drives is that they need 900 milliAmps power -- essentially ALL the power that a USB-C port can supply. You can check the provided current and required current in:

 menu > About this Mac > (System Report) ...

... in the USB section:

...

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Answer 3

Nov 25, 2024 12:49 AM in response to voorzees

If the problem is with audio CDs, maybe you need to change the System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders > Music setting.

Music won't play or import audio CD - Apple Community

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Answer 4

voorzees Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 24, 2024 2:29 PM in response to WheelieNick

Thanks. That’s a good tip. I’ll give it a try. Although it’s probably cheaper to buy a new non-Apple external CD drive than the Apple adapter 😁

It’s weird that it’s worked fine for 12 months with the third party adapter then suddenly it doesn’t.

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Answer 5

WheelieNick

Level 8

42,115 points

Nov 25, 2024 3:22 PM in response to voorzees

Yeah, that Is really weird. For me, it never worked with a non official adapter, whereas with my dad, we're having exact the same iMac, bought at the same time, it is working fine with a non official adapter. Very weird

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Answer 6

Jan 12, 2025 1:34 AM in response to voorzees

The same case with me - Superdrive does not work with Mac Studio, even it is directly plugged to the rear USB port, where it had been working normally before I upgraded to Sequoia.

The problem is not in the drive, I have checked it on my older Macbook running Monterey - there it works without problems.

I suspect the setting of the power limit somewhat changed with Sequoia and it is on Apple to fix it. (by the way - I looked to the Apple store in case I should buy a new one - this drive is not available :-)

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Answer 7

Jan 12, 2025 7:57 AM in response to jaroslav52

<< I have checked it on my older Macbook running Monterey - there it works without problems. >>

then you should connect the drive there and use

Settings > Sharing > DVD sharing ...

to access the drive across the network.

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Answer 8

Jan 3, 2025 6:48 AM in response to voorzees

Sir; Many thanks for the suggestion which worked for me using an older Superdrive and a 2023 mini running OS 15.2 (Sequoia).

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