mac m1 mini issue with usb-c dock

Question

mac m1 mini issue with usb-c dock

I have a problem with the Mac mini M1. I have a few USB-C docks, which I use for expanding my Mac Mini m1 Ports. As I usually plug in many devices, such as a monitor, an interactive display, etc. They require more power than usual. Therefore, all docks I purchased have chargers.

However, if I connect a mac mini to a dock plugged, which is plugged on a charger, it is ignored by the system. Also, if I turn on the Mac mini with the dock plugged, and the dock is charged, it is also ignored. So, every time I restart my computer, I have to unplug the dock, remove the charger, plug the dock back to the Mac mini, then plug it into the charger.

I have three different brands of Docks (Vava Dock, J5Create, and OKX), and the problem happens with all of them.

By the way, I have two Mac mini M1 and a Macbook Air M1. My wife has another Mac Mini M1 and a Macbook Air M1.

The problem I am experiencing happens with all Mac Mini M1 we have, and it doesn't happen with our MacBook Air M1. Fun fact, the docks not only work with no problem with the Macbooks M1 but also they are charged by them.

Moreover, I have a PC laptop, running Linux and Windows, and I tested, and in none of them, I am experiencing that problem. They provide me exactly what I have with our Macbooks M1. So, it looks like it is an issue with Mac Mini M1.

So, I wonder if Apple is aware of this sort of problem and if there are any updates coming to fix it. I confess it is very annoying having to unplug and plug docks and chargers every time I have to restart my computer.

Mac mini, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 7:13 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 21, 2021 2:27 PM in response to tbirdvet

Thanks for your answer. Is your Kensington TB dock or Startech USB dock connected to a power charger? My problem happens only if my dock is charged. If not, everything works fine. However, I need to power my dock because it is connected to a monitor, and I tried using it without power the dock, but it is unstable. Moreover, I already tried to remove all devices. I ran a test, in which I plug the dock charged (no devices connected) and the mac mini ignores it. If I plug it uncharged it is detected. I monitored that behavior through the Information System report (about my mac).

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,108 points

Sep 21, 2021 3:06 PM in response to Fabrizzio Soares

Both of my docks are self powered. Each has its own power brick powered all the time..

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Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,108 points

Sep 21, 2021 7:51 AM in response to Fabrizzio Soares

I have a Mac Mini M1 and use two docks, a Kensington TB dock and a Startech usb dock(connected to the Kensington). I have no issues at all. My TB dock is connected to the TB port on the Mac and my monitor is connected to the other TB port on the Mac. I do not use the USB ports on the Mac. Perhaps you need to reconfigure your hardware or perhaps one item is causing the issue. I would disconnect one by one and narrow down the issue.

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mac m1 mini issue with usb-c dock

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