USB port not working

You might try plugging a different device into the one that seems dead. If you usually use both ports, try switching the 2 devices. I'd definitely give Applecare a call if it never powers up.

Hi, I have similar problem. My 2 months old macbook's usb port behave strange way too. one of external hdd mounts ok on old pb g4 every time I connect to it, but not on mb's usb. both machine run on mac os 10.4.10.

I had the very same issue where the forward USB Port would work fine, but the rear USB Port was dead and would not recognize any device. (Mouse, USB Drive, Card Reader)

I zapped the PRAM by restarting and holding down Command-Option-P-R before the first chime. Let it cycle three times (sorry old Mac Plus habits die hard) and now the rear port works.

I have a similar situation.

One of the USB ports in my macbook (the one next to the Caps Lock key is behaving nicely , the one in front of the left Shift key is messed up) wil occasionally not recognize/power my peripherals. The most common manifestation of this problem is when I plug in my logitech mouse and the red laser just blinks from time to time instead of being fixed. Also, my Apple keyboard doesn't work, neither does my iPod, etc. Again, this is occasional! There are many times when the port is working.

Any suggestions/diagnostic tests?

Hi i got the same issue.
My front usb port work properly. but the back one (next to the capslock key) is working funny. When I plug in my mouse, the mouse led blinks but not working. but the funny thing my ipod and other external disk work well on this usb port. really strange. I got my MacBook last Thursday(exactly one week time). Should I give AppleCare a ring or is it a common thing to MacBook?

Any other thoughts?

I have a similar problem, which just occurred this evening. I had a mouse in the back usb slot and a removable hd in the front usb slot. I put my MacBook to sleep to carry it over to the laser printer and disconnected the mouse as well as the power cord. After printing, I put the computer back to sleep, plugged the power cord and the mouse back in. The mouse had stopped working in the back slot. I swapped the hard disk & the mouse. The mouse works fine in the front slot and the hd works fine in the rear slot. Logging out and in didn't help. I haven't tried zapping the pram. I've only had this machine about 2 weeks.
Could this problem have something to do with removing something from a usb slot while the machine is asleep ?

An additional note - I just did a restart and it fixed the problem, at least temporarily. When I get motivated, I'll try to recreate the problem.

Similar problem, my rear usb port quits working after sleep. Very irritating, and this is a new macbook. The apple geniuses just stare at me when I bring it in. I've heard this relates to the keyboard issues some other people have been having with leopard.

I have this exact problem on my 3 week old macbook. Usually happens when waking from sleep. If my mouse is in the back port it will not be working. If I switch it to the front one it works fine. If I plug another device in the rear port like my external hard drive, then it works fine! A confusing and frustrating problem.

I also have the keyboard freeze issue. I notice both problems more often after waking from sleep. I think it must be a software issue with leopard, and considering it seems to be related to sleep (in the case of the usb port) or not using it a while (in the case of the keyboard) my (not particularly educated) guess is that it is an issue with power management or something; the ports/keyboard are put to sleep somehow and just don't wake up reliably.

Similar problem on a 2 month old MacBook (black)
Rear USB port will stop responding, seems quite random, but may indeed follow sleeping.
A restart will fix this problem.
The front USB port has no issues.

The issue of the rear USB port not responding also coincides with my Bluetooth dropping out (which apparently is another intermittent problem on the MacBooks.)

I guess they share the same USB bus or something?

I'm so surprised that it seems many people are having this problem and nothing seems to solve it, nor does it seem Apple are acknowledging it. Why is there no solution to not being able to use my USB ports except when I have something plugged into them while MacBook is off... Then turn it on.

I'm not frustrated at the lack of answers on here... I'm frustrated at Apple for not offering a solution to this. Every time I want to connect my iPod, Camera, External HD etc... I have to switch my computer off first. So annoying. As I said in my thread about the same issue in this forum... This is the first time in 7 years that I'm actually extremely disappointed with Apple.

The most annoying this is that I can't even go to a Genius Bar as I'm currently in Australia!

It's just ridiculous to not be able to plug things into my USB ports.

APPLE ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!!

Here's something weird...

So recently I was given an iPod Touch as a gift... And connecting this to my computer isn't a problem. Every time I connect it, it pops up. Unlike my old iPod and my digital camera and External Hard Drive.

I'm guessing this was because I connected my iPod Touch to my computer for the first time AFTER I installed whatever update that mucked up my computer.

So here's the thing. Is it possible to say delete any data so that when I connect my camera/External HD, it's like connecting it for the first time? Maybe this will fix the problem... Just like how my iPod Touch is working!

I am having the exact same problem with a brand-new MacBook, just 25 hours old. The USB port supports an iPod and a portable flash drive, but not a mouse.

The light on my mouse blinks when clicks, but does not respond. Identical to the problem described by others in this thread.

Hello, I have a MacBook and a All-In-One that was included in a promotion. The HP Photosmart C4280 works for copying, and printing, but when I ask it to scan it tells me the USB port is not connected. I went through the instilation CD, and I dont know what els to do. Any Help? Thanks for your time Karl