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User profile for user: jpizzle69
jpizzle69 Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

usb not showing up or working

plugged in an old usb this morning, it popped up right away on desktop and i accessed the files. I walked away from the computer for a bit and i saw some notification about an error with ejecting or something, ( to be honest i dont exactly remember what it said). Now the USB will not show up or work. It doesnt show up in system information/disk utility.


I have tried restarting, shutting down the computer, resetting SMC, NVRAM, cleared system caches, i have plugged it into the second usb port and nothing has worked.


I know the ports are fine because my other USB works fine in both ports.


The only thing i havent tried it plugging this USB into another computer because i just dont have one or access to one.


Im not sure what to do anymore and im lost, i need this data on this USB.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 26, 2020 3:28 PM

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User profile for user: Corrie84
Corrie84
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Dec 4, 2020 12:44 PM

Hello jpizzle69,


It sounds like your external USB drive is not mounting when connecting to your Mac. We'd like to help you out with this.


You've tried some great troubleshooting steps already. However, since you've verified another USB drive works when connected to your USB ports, it sounds like there may be an issue with the drive itself. We recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of that drive next to see if they have some additional guidance. It's possible there may even be firmware that needs to be updated.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.


Take care.

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User profile for user: Corrie84
Corrie84
User level: Community Specialist

Dec 4, 2020 12:44 PM in response to jpizzle69

Hello jpizzle69,


It sounds like your external USB drive is not mounting when connecting to your Mac. We'd like to help you out with this.


You've tried some great troubleshooting steps already. However, since you've verified another USB drive works when connected to your USB ports, it sounds like there may be an issue with the drive itself. We recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of that drive next to see if they have some additional guidance. It's possible there may even be firmware that needs to be updated.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.


Take care.

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User profile for user: Ronasara
Ronasara
User level: Level 6
15,013 points

Dec 4, 2020 1:49 PM in response to jpizzle69

Well my friend, drives do eventually fail. Yours may have done so, or may be in the process of dying. I would suggest plugging it in and then try running Disk Utility to see if anything can be fixed. That's assuming you can access it. Keep in mind that sometimes Disk Utility must make several passes to completely fix drive's software. Also, if it has a detachable USB cord, you might also try changing cords to verify the problem is not a bad cord. Good luck to you.

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usb not showing up or working

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