My MBA does not recognise USB devices when they are plugged in!

Question

Level 1

16 points

My MBA does not recognise USB devices when they are plugged in!

I have been using my MBA (2017 11.6) for years with both a plug in USB Logitech headset and a USB dongle wireless headset. No problems. I would plug in the headsets and a moment later they would appear in the Sound preferences. Suddenly, recently, my Air does not recognise the headsets when they are plugged in. Now I have to restart my Air to have them recognised. Obviously, annoying.

Any solution or advice on this? Do I need to reinstall the OS, is there an app I can run? Thanks.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 18, 2021 5:55 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

karina184

Community Specialist

Sep 19, 2021 2:19 PM in response to Ian999

Hello Ian999.

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities. We understand that your MacBook Air no longer recognizes USB devices properly. We will be glad to assist.

Please see the following resource which can help: If a USB device doesn’t work with Mac

Cheers.

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

13,677 points

Sep 24, 2021 6:03 AM in response to Ian999

First you need a backup of your data. I suggest making a Time machine backup of what you now have. Then go to the apple site and see if you can download Big Sur (it is still ay 11.5.2 level). Do not install after download just keep in applications. You need to make a usb installer then boot into recovery, erase your internal drive and reinstall Big Sur from the usb drive and then migrate your data back from your TM. Review this post:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253176980

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Answer 3

Ian999 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 19, 2021 4:45 PM in response to karina184

Thanks for the info, but not it did not help. Either of my two Logitech headsets are only recognised and appear in the hardware list after I restart my Air. If I simply plug them in they are not recognised. Not even a log out, but a full restart is required. I will try reinstalling the OS.

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Answer 4

Ian999 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 23, 2021 3:25 PM in response to tbirdvet

After days of trying everything, I think you are correct. Back to 11.5.2. Can you suggest the best way to do this, without a Time machine backup, which I don't have. Where can I download 11.5.2.? Thanks.

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Answer 5

Ian999 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 24, 2021 8:20 AM in response to tbirdvet

Ok, big job. I might leave it a week till I have a few spare days.

One more question, is it possible to manually copy just those OS files dealing with USB devices? Can someone tell me what these files are? Is it possible to do this? This would save me hours of time.

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Answer 6

Ian999 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 25, 2021 3:02 AM in response to Ian999

Well, HEY!!! I found a solution, sort of.

I was trying everything today and I found a workaround. I plugged an old android phone (Vivo 5, I think) into one of my usb ports, waited a few seconds (the phone recognised the computer) then I plugged in the usb headset. Woola! A second later the headset appeared in the sound preferences! It works! This may work with another usb gadget, but I don't have. If you have this problem give this approach a try. I may well do a complete, fresh reinstall just to clean up my Air, but the pressure is of. Good luck.

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