USB accessories disabled

Question

Level 1

29 points

USB accessories disabled

Out of the blue, without having added any USB accessories, new software, apps or changes in my settings, I get this perpetual (every 1-2 minutes) 'USB accessories disabled'.

My external monitor remains off, my external mouse cannot be used, and my Apple Watch cannot be charged.

Even when I disconnect all or connect one, I keep on getting the same 'USB accessories disabled'.

EVEN WHEN NO USB ACCESSORIES ARE CONNECTED.

I tried every single step in this article (which gives many more options than Apple Support in its article)

https://iboysoft.com/howto/usb-accessories-disabled-mac.html

But, to no avail.

Any other advice than described by Apple and iboysoft?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.2

Posted on May 30, 2023 12:06 AM

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Answer 1

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

May 30, 2023 4:35 AM in response to chaver

Have you done a simple restart?

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Answer 2

chaver Author

Level 1

29 points

May 30, 2023 6:40 AM in response to ku4hx

Apple service said "we are aware of the problem and are working on it."

Some answer.

I checked a few Mac Forums, and it's a problem that hundreds have, if not more, the oldest one dating back to February 2021.

My Apple dealer also mentioned it is "a known problem." and could offer no solution besides the 21 on that website.

Well, all that doesn't help much.

As a long term Mac-user since the Lisa in 1985, this is not what I have ever experienced from Apple.

My work requires at least one, preferably two external screens. I am stuck.

Very annoying problem and totally unclear how this can suddenly happen to so many and nothing is done about it.

While typing this, this 'USB Accessories Disabled' warning popped up again, now every 5 seconds.

With and even without any accessory plugged in

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Answer 3

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

May 30, 2023 6:02 AM in response to chaver

Fix 21: Seek help from a professional

What professionals did you get help from and what did they say?

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Answer 4

chaver Author

Level 1

29 points

May 30, 2023 4:51 AM in response to ku4hx

Of course, usual 'solution'. I tried all 21 ways in this article

https://iboysoft.com/howto/usb-accessories-disabled-mac.html

No difference.

Both Thunderbolt ports on my MacBook Air work fine when I connect my Apple Watch charging cable and my charger, so it's NOT the ports.

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Answer 5

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

May 30, 2023 1:31 PM in response to chaver

Unfortunately, if they are aware and working on it, you'll need to be vigilant for a fix. Possibly in the form of an update.

I'm a long term 30+ year computer users too. So is my wife. We have learned to apple another of our "hobbies" mantras to computers, "Two is one and one is none." Sooner or later than one of anything is going to have problems. That's life.

For extremely critical work, backups in all forms are very good idea. What we do is keep one "old" computer as backup when we upgrade. We've done that for years and trust me it's paid off.

What would you have them do? They working on it and will issue a fix.

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