USB Adapter Boot Issues

When I have my USB-C adapter plugged in my MacBook won't boot from a restart or cold boot up. The dongle I use is this one https://www.amazon.com/Gigabit-Ethernet-Delivery-Multiport-Adapter/dp/B07D2YVH9X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=micar+usb+c+dongle&qid=1569236683&sr=8-1

Is this a MacOS safety feature? The only way I can boot is if I unplug the adapter until l reach my desktop and then replug.

Posted on Sep 23, 2019 4:05 AM

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3 replies

HWTech

Level 9

68,516 points

Sep 24, 2019 9:08 AM in response to Caseablee

Try an SMC reset and PRAM reset (hold the PRAM reset for a full minute so it activates several times).

It could be a defective adapter or just incompatible. It is obviously causing a problem.

dwb

Level 7

33,214 points

Sep 23, 2019 4:13 AM in response to Caseablee

I've not ready anything about Apple restricting dongles for security. The USB port can only supply a limited amount of electricity and the upon starting the computer looks for the boot drive very early in the startup sequence. If the dock is slow to power up then the drive will also be slow to power up and the computer won't see the external drive. Removing the dock from the sequence obviously allows the drive to power up so the computer sees it at bootup.

Caseablee Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 24, 2019 7:46 AM in response to dwb

Even when nothing is plugged into the adapter it is slow to boot. It will get to the black screen just before sign in but will hang until I unplug the adapter.

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USB Adapter Boot Issues