M1 Mac Mini will not use external USB optical drive

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GenZoomer Author

Level 1

4 points

M1 Mac Mini will not use external USB optical drive

Computer - Mac Mini (M1, 2020) 11.7.10

External Optical Drive - Samsung SE-208 (USB-A)

Dynex powered 7-port USB2.0 hub with 2.5amp PSU

Belkin powered 4-port USB2.0 hub with 2.5amp PSU

13” MacBook Pro (2011, i7) Monterey

The Mac Mini refuses to mount the drive with a direct connection to USB A port, through 1 of 2 POWERED USB HUBS, or with the Powered Hubs Daisy-chained while both are powered.

With a direct connection to either POWERED HUB, the Mac Mini will display an error message that a USB Device is drawing too much power and USB has been disabled, and to remove the device to Re-enable USB power.

The same drive works as expected with a direct connection to a 2011 MacBook Pro USB-A Port, or with either powered USB Hub, or the USB Hubs Daisy-chained and powered.

I seem to have double-isolated the behavior to my Mac Mini refusing to power an Optical drive that is connected through a POWERED HUB.

Why does the Mac Mini refuse to mount the drive?

Power isn’t the reason - I’m using powered hubs and a different, older Mac will power the drive through a hub or through a direct connection.

Someone please explain this behavior, because this isn’t the way these electronics are supposed to work.

Mac mini, macOS 11.7

Posted on Dec 13, 2023 1:53 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,936 points

Dec 13, 2023 6:55 AM in response to GenZoomer

Test the Samsung optical drive on a USB-C to USB adapter plugged directly into one of the Mac mini USB-C ports.

https://www.target.com/p/philips-usb-c-to-3-0-usb-a-female-adapter/-/A-79804275

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z768LCW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

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Answer 2

hcsitas

Level 6

13,964 points

Dec 13, 2023 6:07 AM in response to GenZoomer

It might be because you’re running macOS Big Sur. I would upgrade to Sonoma latest before proceeding further.

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Answer 3

AZWiki

Level 1

24 points

Dec 13, 2023 6:20 AM in response to GenZoomer

Your 2011 MacBook Pro can connect to this external drive because MacBooks provide more power to the USB A port. To connect it to a MacMini 2008-12, you need an optical drive that supports an external power build-in. The Samsung SE-208 does NOT support it.

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Answer 4

AZWiki

Level 1

24 points

Dec 13, 2023 6:42 AM in response to AZWiki

It is important to note that every single USB port of a powered USB hub operates at a maximum power output of 2.5 watts, allowing for a maximum current of 500mA (0.5 Ampere) to be delivered through each USB port.

You need about 1.1A-2.1A delivered to the port to make it work with Samsung SE-208 external drive.

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Answer 5

AZWiki

Level 1

24 points

Dec 13, 2023 2:03 PM in response to GenZoomer

Your external optical drive requires more power than the Mac Mini can supply through the USB port. While I don't have exact data, it should be 1.2A or more (similar to the power provided by a Mac Air or later Mac Pro).

Using a powered USB hub won't help. Once you connect a powered USB hub, the Mac mini stops delivering any power, and you will only receive 0.5A through the powered hub.

To resolve this issue, you need to stop using the powered hub and connect the drive directly to your desktop. If you continue to receive the "USB Device is drawing too much power" message, consider getting another drive with external power.

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Answer 6

GenZoomer Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 13, 2023 12:39 PM in response to AZWiki

AZWiki - your assertion seems to fly in the face of USB maximum power per port guidelines and how they are implemented on these two computers.

These guidelines seem to suggest that 500ma is the maximum power that these USB2.0 ports are allowed to deliver, and according to the MacBook Pro Early 2011 specs, the inbuilt ports are indeed USB2.0.

To be clear; you’re suggesting that the MacBook Pro Early 2011 has ports that are out-of-usb specification allowing for increased power output.

In fact, the USB-A ports on the Mac Mini 2020 are 3.1 Spec, which allows for 900ma @ 5V, so I don’t understand what you’re saying about needing a drive that has an extra port for power or having to use USB-C

Can you provide additional insight as to why the USB2.0 Ports on the portable seemingly provide more power than USB3.1 Ports on the desktop?

Again, the Optical drive behaves fine when connected directly to the MacBook Pro Early 2011 USB2.0 ports, but gives an error message while connected to a powered hub on the Mac Mini USB-A port, and will not function at all with direct connection to the same port on the Mac Mini 2020 USB3.1, which has ports specified at 900ma @5v.

hcsitas - your suggestion seems to indicate that upgrading the operating system will allow the ports to work properly, and that the current operating system does not allow the product to operate as advertised. Is that what you’re saying?

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M1 Mac Mini will not use external USB optical drive

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