Dead MacBook M1 after Using USB-C Multiport Hub Adapters/Docks

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/25/apple-releases-macos-big-sur-11-2-2/

As stated in a few posts in this thread, yes, it seems to be related with PD hubs. At this point, I would not connect any usb-c hub with PD. 1 of my 3 MacBook Air M1s got killed by this. The logic board had to be replaced.

A large group of those were the cheap, made by one company and

sold with lots of different names stamped on the case.

If you want something reliable, I would get one of the docks

from OWC which is a "Mac centric" company that thoroughly

tests their products for Mac compatibility.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/docks

They have both Thunderbolt and USB-C docks.

Apple released Mac OS 11.2.2 yesterday just to solve this problem. Apple still claims it has to do with the 3rd party hubs. Not any Windows machines has issues with usb-c hubs.

I hope it's solved by now.

And then Apple released Big Sur 11.2.2 fixing the issue, which proves it was a software glitch. At least something preventable via software. Of course, they will blame it to the "non-compliant" USB-C hubs.

Yes, there seems to be an issue with MacBook M1s and USB-C hubs with PD (power delivery). You can go to MacRumors Forums and search for a thread called "M1 MacBook Air won’t power on".

Mine died and is now in the shop awaiting for a new main board replacement.

I really hope that Apple acknowledges the issue and ensures it is resolved. I have a total of 3 MacBook Air M1s and it is really worrisome.

Thanks for the link.

Glad to know that Apple acknowledges the issue. Even after updating I will be a little worried until I read real-life experiences and confirmation. But this is definitely a relief.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.2

macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks.

To clarify, it's two Thunderbolt external drives that can't currently connect at the same time; USB-C drives don't seem to have this issue. And maybe a firmware update can fix this?

3/31/21 follow-up: After Apple seems to have fixed the hubs issue, I finally re-ordered the same MacBook Air with the same specs (refurbished) and am very happy with it after 1 week. I will stick with CalDigit, OWC and maybe Satechi external hubs.

OWC, Brydge, Elgato, Kensington, Belkin. Avoid others.

It looks like Power Delivery through the hub is the problem in some cases. On YouTube I also saw some video's on the matter. For now I wil put the power supply directly in the notebook and leave the USB-c socket in the hub empty.

This happened to me. MacBook Air M1 was connected to USB-C hub with HDMI and Power Delivery (PD) using the original MacBook power adapter. Went for a cup of tea and when I returned, the MacBook was powered off and never came back to life. It is not at the Apple Authorized Service Center here in Panama.

I'm really worried because I have other 2 MacBook Air M1s and don't know if they are going to fail. For now, I will not connect them to USB-C hubs until this is cleared up.

Not sure. I don't know whether this issue is only for Caldigit Soho USB-C dock or not. But, I saw several people complaining about the same issue for M1 macbook with various kind of USB-C hub in reddit, macrumor, youtube. So, be carefull using the adapter. If you do not use it, unplug it. My daughter just plugged it from the beginning to end.

I think it is definitely not specific or isolated with Caldigit or any brand. It happened to me with QGeeM brand. At this moment, I'm assuming the problem exists with any USB-C hub with PD (when used with PD).

I had issues also. Apple Support claims it has to do with hubs with to many ports on it. So I ordered the Multiport adapter and the Satechi with only one USB A port an see what these do on the longrun.

Looking through the user reviews for a single USB-C hub on Amazon, I found seven reports of dead M1 Macbooks in a total of 4,123 reviews.

Apple's market share of laptops is 9.6 % so maybe 395 of those reviews are from Apple users. At least 95% of Apple users are still using Intel, so perhaps 20 of those reviews are from Apple users with M1 Macs.

Seven out of twenty is not a small percentage. It's more than one in three. For one in three laptops to fail within the first three months of the product's launch is catastrophic.