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USB 3 Hub disconnecting randomly 2021 MBP M1 Pro

Hello,


Old-time mac user here but very new MacBook Pro M1 Pro user here. I've very recently (two weeks or so ago) got delivered my new MacBook Pro M1 Pro with 10 cores and 32 gigs of RAM. This computer is mostly connected to my Samsung CJ79 Thunderbolt monitor, through which I route both my audio-related TB3 stuff as well as a Macally external powered USB 3 hub. The hub is connected to the monitor with a USB 3 connection, and that is transferred to the laptop via Thunderbolt 3.


At most times, everything works normally. My external mouse is connected to the hub, together with a webcam, a DAW controller, a MIDI keyboard and even an external SSD. All is well until very randomly without warning all of these devices disconnect, and the only solution is to either pull the TB3 cable out of the computer and reinsert or rebooting the computer. What's further annoying is that reconnecting the monitor will set the framerate to 60, without giving me the option to setting it to 100 in System Preferences until I reboot the computer. So rebooting is the only way to solve this efficiently.


Some days I don't have to do this at all, but some days it's many times that this happens. I've read that this has been a super common issue before, and something that was (partially, I guess) resolved in a Monterey update. I'd like to know what can be done. Note that this started immediately after taking the computer out of the box and hooking it up to my monitor (all peripherals worked 100% correctly on my 2017 MBP, mind you). There is no way to reproduce this problem to test, so solving this is very cumbersome, and I'm finding this extremely annoying after spending 3304€ on a brand new computer that shows this issue right out of the box. I'd downgrade to Big Sur if I could (for oh so many other reasons, too, as software compatibility I depend on for example), but unfortunately Apple has made that impossible.


Thank you for helping.

Posted on Jan 26, 2022 12:31 PM

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Posted on Jan 26, 2022 12:54 PM

I'm afraid with Monterey things have only have gotten worse for many with hub and drive disconnects. I have fought this issue with my TM drive disconnects. I have tried connecting into my TB hub, into my 5K monitor and also directly into my M1 Mac and no change. I have removed any Mac sleeping functions with no impact. After changing out cables, drives and enclosures I have minimized disconnects to about once a month and just live with that but others are not so lucky. I'm sure you will get all kinds of ideas to try but I think it has something to do with the OS or possibly M1 machines (although some with Intel also note this issue.)

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Jan 26, 2022 12:54 PM in response to Notherman

I'm afraid with Monterey things have only have gotten worse for many with hub and drive disconnects. I have fought this issue with my TM drive disconnects. I have tried connecting into my TB hub, into my 5K monitor and also directly into my M1 Mac and no change. I have removed any Mac sleeping functions with no impact. After changing out cables, drives and enclosures I have minimized disconnects to about once a month and just live with that but others are not so lucky. I'm sure you will get all kinds of ideas to try but I think it has something to do with the OS or possibly M1 machines (although some with Intel also note this issue.)

Jan 28, 2022 4:38 AM in response to Notherman

Update: I found something interesting that might or might not be related:


Whenever the USB hub gets randomly disconnected, opening system preferences -> accessibility -> pointer options will freeze system preferences. The accessibility section won't respond at all any more after this, but I can exit accessibility and return to system preferences, but I can't return to accessibility any more (error message about not being able to open the accessibility pane). When I've rebooted my computer, the pointer controls can be accessed again, but right after the USB hub disconnects, this part of the accessibility settings cannot be used. Other areas work, but not pointer options.


I have a feeling this might have something to do with my wireless USB mouse being connected to the hub that disconnects, but I don't know for sure. I just thought that bringing this forward might contribute in Apple finding a solution ASAP.

USB 3 Hub disconnecting randomly 2021 MBP M1 Pro

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