M2 macbook air USBC/thunderbolt ports/bridge not working

So, my MacBook m2 air is not behaving itself.

It will not recognise anything plugged into the two USB C ports.

No hard drives show up, even using Disk Utility nothing is showing, I have created another user account and the problem still persists.

However I have a small USB C adapter designed for these new macs this gives an HDMI output, network connection, 2 USB C and 2 USB 3 ports. I plug into the side of the MacBook using both USB C ports to interface.

When I use this device my MacBook starts to recognise some peripherals plugged into its USB C ports. If I plug drives into its USB 3 port everything works.

So to summarise, the MacBook on its own cannot see anything connected but with this device, it can see some items on USB C and all on USB 3.

I have no idea if the M1 has a SMC never mind how to reset it.

M2 doesn't have SMC so no point in resetting. Also it has inbuilt PRAM reset when we simply restart, so the reset shortcut for PRAM so no point in doing that either.

Anyone any ideas?

(My peripherals hard drives cables & USB 3 hubs are all high quality and works with my friends' MacBook Pro)