MacBook Pro M1 on Big Sur 11.0.1: USB-C Hub Devices Not Functional

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127 points

MacBook Pro M1 on Big Sur 11.0.1: USB-C Hub Devices Not Functional

New MacBook Pro M1 on Big Sur 11.0.1, two days old. Utilizing a Hyperdrive Slim 8-in-1 USB adapter for Mini-Display to external monitor video and USB connections for Logitech external camera and Jabra external speakerphone setup. Power runs directly into hub and everything connects to laptop through a single USB-C connection. This configuration worked flawlessly on my 2018 MacBook Pro 13" for two years.

Not the case now. The video connection was a real mess, as confirmed through multiple posts in both the support and developer communities. Finally got that working by carefully unplugging the hub connections and power in a certain sequence, but seems to work now. USB connection to Jabra is powering it correctly, but the device is nowhere to be found on any input or output interface--not recognized by MacOS. Same for the external Logitech camera.

I've read that the M1 is powering the ports differently than in the past, which may be causing problems, but the hub is running power and should work. I also ran power directly to the MacBook in the second USB port with no issue.

Worth noting that in my alternate setup, I am using the exact same adapter with an Apple Thunderbolt Display (with audio) and an Audio Technica external microphone, and those devices work correctly. I did not test the external camera but will do so tonight.

Just looking for feedback in case others are seeing similar problems/behavior with the M1 as it relates to external devices going through USB-C hubs like the HyperDrive. Thanks in advance for all feedback.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 3, 2020 3:34 PM

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Answer 1

DylanRhea Author

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127 points

Dec 3, 2020 5:33 PM in response to DylanRhea

**UPDATE - RESOLVED**

I upgraded the firmware on the Hyperdrive USB-C Hub as a long shot solution. Worth noting that this requires either a Win10 VM or an actual Windows machine to carry out the flash process.

Upon reboot, still did not see the devices, but they suddenly activated thereafter and showed up as part of the USB stack. Now all working properly. Honestly not sure if that was the actual solution, as the video issues seemed to somewhat resolve itself, but it is what it is. Hopefully this may help someone out there with the same setup and issues.

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Answer 2

DylanRhea Author

Level 1

127 points

Dec 16, 2020 10:38 AM in response to DylanRhea

**UPDATE - NOT RESOLVED**

Despite things working normally for about a week, same issues started to manifest late last week. I had hoped that an upgrade to Big Sur 11.1 would help, but the condition is the same at this point.

Basically, if the machine goes to sleep, then the hub is plugged in for the monitor and two USB devices, the laptop wakes up but is only partly functional. The external monitor setup sometimes functions properly in clamshell mode, other times it tries to extend the desktop. As of this morning, the hub is not being recognized properly (card reader and LAN connections are visible) but USB devices are dead. Several reboots and power cycles later, no change.

This is extremely frustrating, considering that my previous MBP 13" 2018 worked flawlessly with the same setup and hardware. Pretty fundamental thing for this laptop and OS to not be able to do.

All ideas are welcome, thanks in advance.

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Answer 3

DylanRhea Author

Level 1

127 points

Dec 17, 2020 5:04 PM in response to DylanRhea

I broke down and bought the CalDigit TS3 Hub to manage all of the devices, after doing a ton of research yesterday regarding this issue. The problem is widespread.

It has worked flawlessly today in all scenarios. From what I can tell, many/most of the dongle-type hub adapters have issues when they are built with USB 2.0 Hub components, and the new (2020, including non-M1 model) Apple laptops simply are not able to dynamically manage anything attached to those ports. The TS3 represents everything to MacOS as USB 3.0 or higher, and it all hums. Hate that a $200 device is required to make it work, but this same issue arose in early versions of Catalina and it took months to resolve--and the fix apparently did not make it to Big Sur.

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MacBook Pro M1 on Big Sur 11.0.1: USB-C Hub Devices Not Functional

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