USB Drive not showing anywhere on Mac

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Level 1

84 points

USB Drive not showing anywhere on Mac

trying to mount my external USB drive on my MBA M1 (using USB dongle), but it not showing up anyweher.. Disk Utility is not seeing it, not doing a diskutil list at Terminal reveals nothing

Is the only way a "force" pulling of the plug ?, which could damage the drive.

I know Apple's usual approch is, if the volume is not mounted, then it would be "ok" as no user data could be pollibly lost, but to me, a force eject is still "force eject". Doesn't matter which way you lok at it, it still not beinge ejected in a safe manner.. True, volume which are not mounted cannot be damaged, but that doesn't mean other parts of the drive can't be.. EFI partition for instance (which is a seperate from volume)

Posted on Aug 21, 2023 5:52 PM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

102,661 points

Aug 22, 2023 2:12 AM in response to Tech198

Having to use a USB dongle implies the drive has the older USB-A male connector.

What dongle is being used

Some dongles just do not work as evidenced by the drive not appearing via Terminal Command or Disk Utilities ( good work to trouble shoot 👍 )

The below are images I have used for this type of situation.

One from Apple ( more pricey ) and the other from your favourite On-Line Retailer

Have both and used on M1 / M2 MBAs and just works

Then there is the possible issue of Allowing a New Accessory covered in the link below

If your Mac asks you to allow an accessory to connect - Apple Support

Excerpt from link above

When you use a new or unknown USB accessory, Thunderbolt accessory, or SD card with your Mac laptop with Apple silicon and macOS Ventura or later,

EDITED

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Answer 2

Tech198 Author

Level 1

84 points

Aug 22, 2023 9:26 AM in response to Tech198

Drive works usually and it does have USB-A, which is why i'm using dongle. Disconnection and reconnect did work, but was just curious as to why it just didn't mount, not even from Terminal.

I did have 2nd USB-A drive connected, when the issue happened on the 1st, so also learning on too much power perhaps ???? *shrugs*

The drive LED was blinking constantly, but apart from that, nothing appeared..

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Answer 3

Aug 22, 2023 11:58 AM in response to Tech198

What exactly is the "dongle" you are using? If it is USB hub, or a multiport hub, it may not be providing enough power for the drive. If you use something like those that P. Phillips showed, the drive would get its power from the mac.

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Answer 4

Aug 21, 2023 10:39 PM in response to Tech198

I'd just disconnect and try to reconnect. But you could just shutdown and then disconnect.

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,162 points

Aug 22, 2023 5:36 AM in response to Tech198

There is nothing that will damage that drive by pulling it out. The only reason you need to eject a drive is if it is still writing at the time you try to remove it. If it is not recognized as being connected, there is no way anything is being written.

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