Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

⏺ Join the discussion

⏺ Press release 

⏺ Learn more

⏺ Watch the video

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple unveils the new iMac with M4, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and available in fresh colors. Learn more >

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple’s all-new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: syomuse
syomuse Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

USB eject icon not responding

For months now, I have been unable to properly remove any external device with the eject icon on the left USB port of my MacAir. The icon to eject will show up in Finder, but will not respond when clicked. I need to remove a thumb drive right now without damaging the information on it. What could be causing this and is there a work-around now that I have this thumb drive currently plugged into my MacAir? BTW, this is the case for everything I put in this drive. (Strangely enough, I've not yet tested the other the USB port on the other side to work around this issue but at this point, I don't want to chance it)

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 17, 2021 9:41 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SergZak
SergZak
User level: Level 6
10,354 points

Posted on May 17, 2021 11:42 AM

If you want to remove the thumb drive safely, simply shut down the Mac and remove it then. All files that were being written to the drive will complete before the Mac is actually shut down.


With that being done, you can test the other USB port with the drive.


You don't mention shutting down or restarting your Mac...that is your first troubleshooting process.


Click the Apple logo on the top-left of the Menu Bar.the options for Restart and Shut Down are there.

View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SergZak
SergZak
User level: Level 6
10,354 points

May 17, 2021 11:42 AM in response to syomuse

If you want to remove the thumb drive safely, simply shut down the Mac and remove it then. All files that were being written to the drive will complete before the Mac is actually shut down.


With that being done, you can test the other USB port with the drive.


You don't mention shutting down or restarting your Mac...that is your first troubleshooting process.


Click the Apple logo on the top-left of the Menu Bar.the options for Restart and Shut Down are there.

Reply
User profile for user: SergZak
SergZak
User level: Level 6
10,354 points

May 17, 2021 11:41 AM in response to syomuse

Just shut it down (don't just Sleep the Mac) and then physically pull the thumb drive. Macs are meant to be shut down periodically.


I don't know why that would happen. It could be a glitch. Glitches are many times resolved by shutting down the device and restarting it.


If shutting down, restarting and testing the thumb drive in the same or different USB port results in it working correctly, then it was indeed a glitch.


This is part of troubleshooting issues...the process of elimination.

Reply

USB eject icon not responding

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up