USB 3.0 Hubs not compatible with M1 Mac mini

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USB 3.0 Hubs not compatible with M1 Mac mini

After a lot of problems I have discovered that a USB 3.0 hub does not work with the M1 Mac mini, however if you get a HUB that is 3.1 everything if fine. The symptoms are intermittent restarts, crashes, drives falling off line, and beach ball of death on almost every mouse click.

Once I got the USB 3.0 hub (and yes I tired several to be sure), everything worked fine. Once I attached a 3.1 hub all was good.

My question is why? what is so different between the 3.0 standard and the 3.1 standard that would cause this?

Mac mini, macOS 11.3

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 9:42 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,670 points

Jun 3, 2021 12:40 PM in response to Dr_John

Where those USB 3.0 Hubs that you tried, Bus-Powered or Self-Powered?

(Self-Powered as in, have an external power supply)

I suspect it is because the M1's USB-A ports have lower output, than it's predecessor or the M1's USB-C ports.

FWIW it is always best to use a Self-Power (USB-A or USB-C) Hub, if you plan on connecting Bus powered drives to it.

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Answer 2

Dr_John Author

Level 1

25 points

Jun 3, 2021 12:55 PM in response to den.thed

The hubs I was using were powered. My first thought was power but they were all powered.

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USB 3.0 Hubs not compatible with M1 Mac mini

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