USB Device Using Too Much Power

Question

Level 1

28 points

USB Device Using Too Much Power

No changes have occurred but I am suddenly getting a message pop up that warns of a USB device using too much power and has been disabled. I cannot determine which device it is referring to as all USB devices seem to be working normally. I just keep getting this message popping up.

I have checked System Information profile for USB devices plugged in and nothing is exceeding the allocated limit. It would be pointless to unplug everything one by one to see which one it is referring to because there is no way for the Mac to tell me if that is the correct device or not.

Does anyone know of another way to find out which device is the culprit?

Mac mini, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 6, 2021 1:03 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

tbirdvet

Level 6

14,801 points

Dec 7, 2021 12:39 PM in response to mark-leon

The USB connections on the hub share a common load. If the total exceeds the total hub output then you could get a error message. I have a hub that I determined I over loaded. What I did was connect another smaller self powered hub to the first self powered hub spreading out the connections and it fixed the issue. I found this particularly sensitive starting with Big Sur and continues with Monterey.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,471 points

Dec 7, 2021 1:12 AM in response to mark-leon

My guess is that intermittently the connections are drawing too much power and the USB connection is broken and then it is reestablished automatically.

A lot of hubs have a connection, frequently mini USB port but can be other power port, for a 5 volt power supply. Does yours?

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Answer 3

mark-leon Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 7, 2021 1:20 AM in response to lllaass

It's a regular USB-B connector. My charging cable that I use for my AirPods has a split in the plastic covering. Could that be the issue? I also have a power bank that I charge in the Mac too but that has always been there. Nothing else new that I can think of.

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