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

The 11.2.2 (?) & .3 updates made the problem better apparently, but this last week with my new M1 I've seen a lot of weird things happening. If there's a power pass-through like on the OWC USB-C Travel Dock, I've watched the computer do a hard (reboot) crash a few times. I've tried also the j5Create USB & Ethernet hub; the hub routinely failed in r/w operations to flash drives. Using an external monitor often won't work, and it involves hooking the dock & computer up in just the right order when it does.

So, yay that these devices aren't not damaging the computer? But there's still a long way to go.

I am also using a MacBook Pro with a Ugreen dock but I never had to face this kinda issue!but herd about it that some people faced to this! however i don't charge my MacBook through it..I only use it for connect my monitor and external hard

Did you experience other issues with the ports?

I had the same thing happen to my Macbook Air M1, and ultimately got a replacement. Now one of my USB-C ports is totally dead after hardly using the device at all. Really not looking forward to getting another replacement.

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.

It happened to me after using a usb-c hub adapter on my MacBook Air M1. The Mac was not actually dead but the screen was stuck to minimum brightness. Hopefully it happened few days after I bought it so I was able to return it to Amazon.

*A response to those faulting Apple.*

Hardware failure related effects are different for each person. My rub is the expense of my attention momentarily involuntarily directed to the entirely uninteresting and unprofitable. So, I 'feel the pain' however, to assert Apple's responsibility for damages resulting from electrifying their hardware with foreign power sources of infinitely variable material quality and design is baseless³, and quite honestly, irresponsible.

I would think, and I sincerely hope Apple rejects all above related claims as I do not want to subsidize yet another perverse incentive.

They’re already accepting all claims for damage and have even updated the OS to solve the problem...so I guess you are already subsidising Apple’s ‘perverse’ incentives. Well done.

Sorry to expend your so valuable attention.

As an electronic engineer I have to disagree with you. We put input protections on our hardware to protect against all reasonable inputs/outputs to a circuit. The PD hubs are only damaging Macs and not PCs so it is reasonable to assume apple did something wrong. Telling people it is 3rd party hubs is just like telling people they are holding the iPhone wrong.

I can really tell u a fun solution that worked on me... when my new m1 macbook pro was dead... i tried every solutions..in the end nothing works..

But Today i jst a got a magnet that kids used to play.. in my hand.. and i used to move the magnets all along my keyboard speakers etc.. and tried turn on.. and i plugged in and tried again to move the magnets i have ..all along the my macbook😁..suddenly my mac turned on 🥰😍 ..... i dont know y this happened .... Anyway I am so happy..😍 tht my mac turned on again after a week of dead days☺️

Not the same issue we are having. Also not sure why you would put magnets on a laptop anyway. Best guess is your battery was dead or you tripped the Hal sensor with the magnet.

I really don’t think magnets will harm these computers (solid state) but still would no do it.

FYI...

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211896

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

I have a 9 port hub that plugs into both USB-C ports on my new MBA M1 and have had no issues.. Not a major brand (Niearcool). Maybe I'm just lucky.

Hi. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is it only the Power Delivery types of hubs that I need to be worried about?

Thank you.

Hi Sir Lancaster. Thanks for that info. Appreciate the feedback.