right side USB-C port doesn't recognize external hard drive but works for charging

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iwansetwan Author

Level 1

5 points

right side USB-C port doesn't recognize external hard drive but works for charging

I have a 16-inch Macbook Pro 2019.

Two USB-C ports in my right side don't work for reading external hard drive but only work for charging.

The other two in the left side are working perfectly fine.

I have tried to reset SMC and NVRAM but to no avail.

I couldn't send this for reparation because this is my main working device at the office.

Thank you very much.

I really appreciate your help.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 4, 2021 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

70,292 points

Oct 5, 2021 12:50 PM in response to iwansetwan

This usually indicates an issue with the I/O Board (or possibly the Logic Board) which requires a hardware repair. Have Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop to provide you with a repair estimate.

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Answer 2

Eric--F

Community Specialist

Oct 5, 2021 12:25 PM in response to iwansetwan

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, iwansetwan.

If we understand your post correctly, your external hard drive is not recognized by the right side ports on your MacBook Pro. We’d like to help.

Follow the steps in the "If a USB device is slow or not recognized" section of this article:

About USB on Mac computers

Let us know if that resolves this issue for you.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

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Answer 3

iwansetwan Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 5, 2021 12:57 PM in response to HWTech

I guess so.

I have done everything I could with the assistances of some caring Apple customer care services from restarting SMC, NVRAM and reinstalling MacOS but unfortunately nothing works.

This is hardware problem but the problem is that it takes at least 5 days for my Mac to be repaired, I just came to the service centre this morning.

It is no possible because I have to work and this is my main working device.

I guess all the blame is on me and I will pretend that this problem doesn't exist.

Thank you anyway!

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Answer 4

iwansetwan Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 5, 2021 12:58 PM in response to Eric--F

I have done everything I could with the assistances of some caring Apple customer care services from restarting SMC, NVRAM and reinstalling MacOS but unfortunately nothing works.

This is hardware problem but the problem is that it takes at least 5 days for my Mac to be repaired, I just came to the service centre this morning.

It is no possible because I have to work and this is my main working device.

What do you expect me to do? Take 5 days of leaves?

I guess all the blame is on me and I will pretend that this problem doesn't exist.

Thank you anyway!

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Answer 5

Oct 6, 2021 4:47 PM in response to iwansetwan

If you are unable to be without a computer for whatever reason, then you should have another computer to use as a backup in case something happens to your main computer (or you can purchase another computer).

Apple is not here on these forums. We are just other regular users like yourself volunteering our time to help users.

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right side USB-C port doesn't recognize external hard drive but works for charging

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