New MacBook Pro 16" Late 2019 USB-C Connection Issues?

Hi Amanda. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. I purchased a 16" MacBook Pro around 2 months ago and it's already starting to have issues with the USB C ports. This is one of my work machines which sits on my desk most of the time with a power connector, HDMI/ETH hub, and USB-C hub connectors plugged into 3 of the 4 available USB C ports. The computer usually sits like this for days or weeks at a time, though I occasionally will unplug everything to use the laptop remotely, then plug the 3 cables back in when I return to my desk. The last 2 times I've moved the computer and brought it back I've found it difficult to get the hubs to work. Further evaluation reveals the hub cables are loose in the connectors, and wiggling them can cause them to make or break the connection without actually removing them from the socket. After discovering this, I tried moving my apple power USB-C cable to the affected ports and found that it only works when wiggled just the right way. (The battery lightning-bolt indicator will turn on and off as the cable is moved ever so slightly). I've concluded that the 2 right connectors on my MacBook Pro 16 are somehow compromised and only work intermittently. Since the machine sits on my desk with cables plugged in most of the time, I can't imagine the cables have been inserted and removed more than 20-30 times (though probably much less). Since the malfunctioning sockets are the sockets I plug the hubs into I suspect there may be some slight tolerance-difference between the USB-C connectors on the cables. At this point I honestly don't know... but I'm not ready to place blame squarely on Apple.

Since my laptop is still under warranty I will be looking into options with Apple. I found your post in a google search while looking for others with similar connector issues. Sadly, it seems to be far from an isolated case.

I'll post whatever solution I end up with so others can see it. And DPJ: Lighten up. Your replies were indeed condescending and unhelpful. (And for the record, I've been programming macs since 1984...)

Good luck!

" I'm planning to return my 16" and will wait for the next model."

So just because you have ONE issue you're going to return it for a refund? Unless you bought a refurb (because it sounds like it) there should no issues with connecting cables and them locking in place. I've never heard one person having a problem about this including with my own 16" MBP. I was going to suggest an exchange but if you plan to refund it then I'm not sure why you need to know if others are experiencing it?

Also keep in mind, EVERY model has issues of some sort. Waiting for the next one (which may not be out until late fall or later due to COVID19) doesn't guarantee a problem-free computer.

" When I started the return process online I wasn't given the option to replace it. "

Seriously??? You have a 14 day return period. You don't have to be given the option to exchange it, that's the in return policy. You can either return it or exchange it. I hope you're being truthful because that doesn't make any sense.

"I've been a MacBook Pro user for over 10 years. Obviously I know all models will have their issues, but I shouldn't see them immediately. "

I've been a Mac user for the past 25 years and over the years I've received brand new Macs with dents, bad pixels, loose connections, white spots on screens, loose hinges on iMacs, dead hard drives after just a few months of ownership. Things happen. In the 10 years you've had MacBooks I have no idea how many you had but are suggesting that every single model you've gotten in the past 10 years has had zero issues? If you've had multiple MacBooks with zero issues that would be miracle.

" I'd like to know if there is an issue with this model or if I should give it another try. "

That was going to be my recommendation, because like I said earlier if you think the next version of the 16" is going to be problem free you're not living in reality. Mass produced products will have issues. Apple has a much larger audience than they used to have 10 years ago, so there are more people to satisfy in terms of features. Like I said things happen, but you should just order another one. Mine has been very good. No issues.

Hi! Since the current pandemic has most of the Apple stores closed (and my warranty is still good for a while), I have not attempted to send my MacBook Pro 16" in for repair yet. I *did* purchase a different hub (the 4th I've purchased now) which is one of those that clamps onto the side of the machine by plugging into 2 of the USB ports. I plugged it into the left side and have all of my cables (Ethernet, HDMI, plus 2 USB) going into it. Thus far I have not had any issues. It could be that having it plugged into 2 ports at once makes it more robust, or just the fact that I plugged into the left side instead of the right side is allowing me to avoid the problem. Anyway, I've circumvented the issue for now, but will eventually be sending my laptop in for service. I'll post a follow-up afterward.

Good luck!

Can you get each of the three displays to work by itself?

Modern Macs can not support more than two "legacy" displays {DVI, HDMI, Analog VGA}. They are designed with 3 Volt DisplayPort power levels. "Legacy" displays require closer to 5 Volt levels. When you connect more than two, you will need an ACTIVE adapter or switch to DisplayPort family to get the third to work.

You are not the only one with this issue however I have been dealing with this for several years and it hasn't been fixed. Not sure waiting for the next version will solve the issue. I'm on my 4th laptop since my original purchase of a 2017 15" MBP. That one was a refurb and had the same issues except on that one peripherals wouldn't even "snap" into the jacks and would just fall out or disconnect with very little movement or vibration. Tried many different dongles and adapters (Apple and third party) and no luck with any of them. I was sent several replacements after several repairs of the original 2017 purchase and finally got a 16" MBP as a replacement which I was very happy with initially. Fast-forward 2-3 months and I started having connection issues that worsened, especially on the right side, rendering right side USB-C's virtually unusable (bought several dongles and adapters from Apple and third parties to test again). While some of the previous 15" laptops I was sent didn't produce a "click" noise or feeling when plugging something in, the 16" does. Unfortunately that just provided the illusion that it was fixed on this generation, but the connection issues persist. Have not yet sent in since I called about it when all the Apple stores shut down in March. Will be sending it in for repair although I am not very hopeful at this point that the issue will be resolved.

No worries. Best of luck.

I am the similar issue with my macbook pro 16" right side usb c ports. How were you able to get this fixed.

Hi Teri it would be great if you can post how you got this fixed. I have the same issue on my work computer.