LaCie HDD not working with Thunderbolt Adaptor

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LaCie HDD not working with Thunderbolt Adaptor

I have a LaCie HDD with a USB 3 connector that I connect to my MacBook Pro 2013 using a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor. My MacBook won’t detect it whatsoever but it works when I use the USB connecting cable.

I’ve made sure that I’ve checked HDD in finder but it makes no difference and won’t show up in disk utility. Thunderbolt ports have worked with other devices so I don’t think it’s them and the adaptor is brand new. The HDD is obviously also working as it is detected via USB. Anyone know how to fix this and get the Thunderbolt to connect?

I’m wondering if it’s because the LaCie doesn’t have and external power source and there’s an issue with power transfer via the adaptor, as it doesn’t power up when connected.

Any thoughts?

(I’m running on Catalina).

Thanks

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 4, 2020 3:15 PM

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Answer 1

May 22, 2020 8:03 PM in response to Pallyo

The Apple Thunderbolt-3 <--> thunderBolt-2 adapter does not supply power:

This adapter is bidirectional, which means you can use it to connect Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac that has a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port. In that case, the Mac must be using macOS Sierra or later, and the device using Thunderbolt 3 must provide its own power.

from:

About the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter - Apple Support

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Answer 2

chris_g1

Community Specialist

May 5, 2020 9:44 AM in response to Pallyo

Hey there Pallyo,

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. I understand you’re having issues using your external drive with a Thunderbolt adapter. I’ll be happy to help.

Have you been able to test another Thunderbolt adapter with your Mac and external drive or test another device with your Thunderbolt adapter?

If not, do an SMC reset on your Mac and see if this has any impact on the issue:

How to reset the SMC of your Mac

You may also want to boot into recovery mode and see if your external drive shows as connected with the Thunderbolt adapter in Disk Utility:

Repair a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Also, make sure your Mac is up to date as well:

How to update the software on your Mac

Regards.

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Answer 3

Pallyo Author

Level 1

9 points

May 23, 2020 1:13 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the replies everyone - sounds like it’s a power issue as the HDD does not have its own power source.

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Answer 4

May 22, 2020 9:25 AM in response to Pallyo

Apparently the Apple Thunderbolt adapter only works with both items having separate power supplies so you cannot power a non powered hard drive through the adapter which sounds a bit short sighted to me as I have just tried to do the same thing....!!

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Answer 5

May 22, 2020 12:11 PM in response to Pallyo

The Thunderbolt port on a 2013 laptop only works with Thunderbolt devices. To use a USB device on a 2013 laptop you must you the USB port. A cable won't magically make things work when the ports use completely different protocols. The USB ports on a 2013 are USB3 capable.

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Answer 6

May 22, 2020 5:28 PM in response to qsaunders

Ah the "compatible" sales pitch. This can cause so much confusion.

Please provide the exact model of the of the LaCie drive. It would help if you could provide a link to it so I can review the technical specifications on it.

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Answer 7

May 22, 2020 1:26 PM in response to HWTech

The LaCie is supposed to be Thunderbolt compatible....

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LaCie HDD not working with Thunderbolt Adaptor

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