External USB Keyboard/mouse randomly stops working on New MacBook Air Early 2020 model running Catalina 10.15.4

Just an update, during the last week I've been connecting everything via single USB-A to USB-C adapters and/or one of those hubs that uses two USB-C ports on the laptop without any problems (a generic one bough from amazon). Even with high energy demanding devices (a mechanical keyboard, an audio interface and midi controllers).

However, when using a UGREEN USB hub/switch (4 to 2 USB-C ports) it freezes after a few minutes.

Did another test last knight. I have a basic microsoft mouse and a royal kludge wireless keyboard. When connecting both wireless receivers via USB-A to USB-C hubs, the devices become unresponsive within the next 20 minutes. However, if I directly connect the keyboard using a USB-C to USB-C cable (mouse still wireless), there is no issue at all.

We have app. 20 MacBook Pros 2020 different models. Only some of them haven't go this issue anymore since 10.15.6. But all our 16" still have the issue here.

The USB Hubs all work fine with 2019 models! Only 2020 models still suffer from it.

I have the very same problem using a ThinkPad Thunderbolt/USB3 hub (supports both Thunderbolt and USB3).

I also happen to have another USB3/USB2 hub (from Anker) which shows the same problem but not AT THE SAME TIME!

Verified through testing:

1) After using the Thinkpad TB/USB3 hub for a while any USB1/2 device stops working on it and is no longer visible in System Information.

2) Switching all USB1/2 devices over to the Anker USB3/2 hub: the devices work and are visible while on the Anker hub.

3) Switching them back to the TB hub: the devices are not working and not visible in System Information.

4) After a random amount of time using the Anker USB3/2 hub the same problem can appear and affects all non-USB3 devices connected to that hub.

5) Bonus: The original Apple USB-C/USB-A adapter also does not work once the problem occurred on the Anker hub.

6) Only a full system Reboot seems to fix the problem for some time until it occurs randomly again..

*** update: a couple of hours later (I was able to work that long with the USB devices connected to the Anker hub) I plugged the devices back into the TB dock without rebooting first and they work again now.

I never noticed that before because I always rebooted the system when it happened.

The System went to sleep a couple of times inbetween.

It's not just 2020 MacBook Airs. I have a 2017 iMac 27" that I just got. It has a fresh install of Catalina 10.5.5 on it. It had High Sierra on it but I upgraded to Catalina and had these issue, so I reinstalled Catalina from Recovery mode. And I get the same problem with my old USB 2.0 external drives. It seemingly will do fine for a while but at some point the screen stops responding, background goes black, eventually the screen goes blank (but backlight is still on). I have been using ssh from my other Mac to login in and do a reboot via Terminal to fix it.

But if I disconnect the drives, no issues. It'll go days and no problems...until I reconnect. Then at some point (usually a few hours later), the freeze ups happen again.

We're experiencing the same problem here! 🙋🏻‍♂️

Since my partner upgraded from a MacBook (12-inch, Early 2016, macOS Mojave) to a new MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports, macOS Catalina), the three USB-C peripherals (iPhone 11, Wacom Intuos Pro Medium, Seagate Fast SSD 1TB) plugged into the three downstream USB-C ports on the back of her 21.5-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display, keep disconnecting (all switching off at the same time) with the computer locking up and requiring restarting. 😫

When she takes the 21.5-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display (which obviously has a USB hub) out of the equation, and plugs her three USB-C peripherals directly into her 2020 MacBook Pro, everything works just fine.

So, what is it that's causing these disconnects? 🤔

• LG's hardware, the 21.5-inch LG UltraFine 4K Display. Is it 100% compatible with Apple's 2020 MacBook Pros?
• Apple's software, macOS Catalina, the way it handles USB hubs?
• Something else?

I have Catalina 10.15.5 on both laptops , and it have the exact same docking hub for both.

I have 5 connections plugged into the docking hub:

1) Monitor

2) Ethernet cable

3) USB 2.0 Logitech G502 Hero mouse

4) USE 2.0 Logitech G810 Keyboard

5) USB 2.0 Logitech G633 Headset

Nothing happens when I use the MBP 15 2019 even for weeks without disconnecting it.

However, when I connect the MBP 13 2020, it barely last for an hour, and when the issue occurs, only the 3 USB 2.0 devices freeze and stop responding, while the monitor and ethernet cable still function. (Sometimes the whole laptop reboots).

I simply cant use the MBP 13 2020 with USB 2.0 external keyboard, mouse and headset, I have this laptop for about 2 weeks.

Same problem here with a brand new MBP 13'' 2020 running Catalina 10.15.5

My USB DasKeyboard cabled keyboard and cabled mouse stop working randomly (every few hours).

Disconnecting ALL the USB-c ports from the laptop and reconnecting them again seems to solve the issue, but of course it is not a long-term solution.

In my case the set-up can be trickier because I am using a USB3.0 Sharing Switch selector hub (UGREEN brand) in order to share my peripherals between my MBP and a desktop gaming PC. Since the output of that switch is a USB-A connector, I then add the Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter to the equation.

In any case, and since many other people have the issue, it seems that Catalina has some issue when handling multiple connected USB devices.

I forgot to mention that on other two thunderbolt-3 ports, I connect two Dell Monitors, via two Thrunderbold-3 to Mini-Displayport adapters.

I found this:

https://9to5mac.com/2020/06/17/users-reporting-usb-2-0-compatiblity-issues-with-2020-macbook-pro-and-macbook-air/

I continue to troubleshooting... based on the link above, USB2.0 devices could be the culprits.. in my case I use speakers that are 2.0 and also the mouse it's 2.0.

I have the same issue here. I connect USB 2.0 hub to Anker USB type-c hub, and Anker USB type-c connect to MacBookPro 2020 13 inch. Keyboard, mouse, mic and usb headphone which connect to the USB 2.0 hub freeze once an hour. When I have the issue, I remove the Anker USB type-c hub from MacBook Pro once, then wait 10 secs, then re-connect again.

MacBookPro 2020 13inch

USB type-c hub: Anker AK-A83460A2

USB 2.0 hub: Digio usb2.0 hub UH-2214SBK

I am having the same issue as others. My setup is USB-C Adapter from Mokin going to USB-A 3.0 Hub from Aukey that has USB 2.0 Keyboard, Mouse, USB 3.0 SSD, and USB Audio. I also am using an eGPU from Razer Core with AMD RX 580 that is having no issues itself. Both devices are plugged into the right two USB-C Ports on the 2020 Macbook Pro 13" 2.0Ghz i5.

What happens is just randomly stops responding to the USB-C to USB-A adapter.. if I unplug the hub and back in that does not reset the response BUT if I unplug the USB-C adapter from the MBP and plug it back in everything seems to reset and become responsive again. When it does not unresponsive all things connected stop working including the Audio on the Hub. I might try the Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter and see if that fixes the issue. This just happens randomly.. I can go on for hours without an issue and then it just happens. As soon as I unplug and plug back in the USB-C adapter it all works again but unplugging the HUB, either power and/or USB, does not fix the issue.

EDIT/UPDATE: I just ordered the Apple USB-C to USB adapter and should arrive by Wed (July 3rd) and will update this after I use it for a bit to see if it fixes anything.

Same issue here. New MacBook Air 2020, mostly maxed-out specs except the hard drive is only 1 TB.

I have an Anker 4-port USB-normal to USB-C hub that I connect through my apple Multiport AV adapter. I have 2 monitors plugged in: one via the multiport adapter, one via the other USB-C port.

I have a keyboard, mouse, and USB audio device plugged into the hub.

On my 2019 MacBook Pro everything works with this setup. When I swap in the 2020 MacBook Air, the mouse, keyboard, and audio all suffer random frequent disconnects.

I have the latest version of Catalina on both. I also have a Ph.D. in computer science. Not like it really matters, but I promise you this isn't "user error". I've tried the various reset steps aside from reinstalling the OS since that's clearly not a reasonable fix and it hasn't helped anyone else on these threads. The MacBook Air is super new as well.

Really wish Apple would make a public statement about this instead of wasting everyone's time. USB 2 is broken on these 2020 devices and needs to be fixed.

I have a G603 and it only dropped connection once on Windows when I was first pairing it. I later realized the battery it came with was dead. When I put a new battery in it - it was perfect. Been using it for a month now on windows with ZERO ISSUES. Love the mouse! Using it in lightspeed mode all the time.

On the mac, it drops connection just like all other USB 2.0 devices I own. With bluetooth you will not have any problems at all, I assure you, because bluetooth has nothing to do with the USB problems. It's BT, not USB. But I would not be OK with sacrificing the lightspeed mode, which makes this mouse so amazing. 1000hz polling rate wireless is truly a godsent.

I have a MWP42 MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) with i5-1038NG7 CPU. I've tried both macOS 10.15.5 and now 10.15.6 and I too am experiencing random USB glitches.

My external keyboard (Turtle Beach Impact 500) and Mouse (Logitech G900, usually with wire) have randomly stopped functioning until being reconnected. I think this happens after a period of inactivity but I may be imagining that.

I've tried various combinations of how to connect my devices to the computer. I've done it via a cheapo Unisynk 8-i-1 USB-C dock (https://unisynk.se/products/8-port-usb-c-docking-hub/) and also via Akasa Elite 10X USB hub (http://www.akasa.com.tw/search.php?seed=AK-HB-15BK) using a USB C to A adapter, and also with just a USB C to A adapter.

Those aren't the only problems though.

I also have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Gen1 USB 2.0 audio interface which is recognized by macOS but its (latest) drivers / software doesn't work. It worked fine a MBP 13" early 2015 with macOS 10.15.5. I've reported this issue to Focusrite but it might be relevant to this issue too.

The Unisynk 8-i-1 has also failed with ethernet connection on a couple of occasions. It might be just a poor piece of gear but this might be relevant information. (Perhaps its ethernet chip works on top of USB?) Its HDMI connection however has never failed and I can also charge the computer through it.

The Akasa USB hub has also lost connection completely a couple of times. It has external drives connected to it so it's not a very enjoyable issue. This is worrying as I'm planning to connect 3 of USB hubs to the computer (perhaps daisy chaining them) to connect to various pieces of gear around the same room.

This stuff should be pretty much plug and play but now it's a bit on the side of plug and pray. My biggest problem is with the audio interface but I wanted to share my weird experiences from the last few days I've owned this computer.

Like you, I would get a device and it would work a couple of weeks, and then suddenly start working intermittently. Here's what I've found (through much expensive trial and error on my part):

My 2020 MBP will only connect to a bluetooth Apple Magic Mouse (and even then sometimes I have to restart the laptop or the mouse on occasion). It connects to my (old) bluetooth Magic Keyboard most of the time - but it's difficult when the pairing is lost to get it to re-pair again. I've gotten a new bluetooth Magic Keyboard, but haven't tried it out yet (not anxious to find out if it will give me trouble too.)

From what I've read on several sites, the 2020 MBP doesn't maintain connection with USB plug-in mice and keyboards - and especially so if they are USB-2 devices.

My 2020 MBP would not maintain connection with my external monitor, and not with my webcam (which I bought this summer) either. When Logitech released a dedicated USB-3 webcam this fall, I bought it, and it's been working well (Brio Ultra HD Pro). I had to get a new external monitor and went through 4 different connectors before I found one that would maintain connection (a Belkin 4 K 60 Hz HDMI to C-port adapter).

I have never had a problem with an Apple product before, but now the web is full of people with problems. I thought it was just with the laptops, but from you Iearn it's the Mini too. So is this a software problem? A hardware that no software can handle problem? It looks like it's a problem that the people at Apple Support are left to handle as best they can, I guess in the dark with no support from Apple itself on what the problem actually is.

I took my laptop in twice to be wiped and have its OS re-installed; having to stand in long line-ups, beside the de regueur anti-maskers, waiting to get into the store. They said there was no problem, the laptop was working well so no refund.