Macbook Pro Late 2011 USB issues

jaylock1019 wrote:

I have a Macbook Pro (Late 2011) and both USB ports have stopped responding to any external devices. I have tried combinations of different cords with these devices and still nothing. Is there any way to bypass these ports or use the other ports (I believe Firewire 800 and Thunderbolt) to be able to use external USB devices? Adapters or any other suggestions?

You should begin to consider replacing this computer. It seems to be wearing out.

I agree with MartinR that the Firewire ports won't be helpful.

If you have a Thunderbolt 1 port, virtually no devices exist today that can be used with that directly. However you can purchase a Thunderbolt 1 to Thunderbolt 4 adaptor, and use that to attach a Thunderbolt dock (OWC makes several inexpensive ones as well as expensive ones that have more ports) that has multiple USB-C and a USB3 port. The Thunderbolt 1=>4 adaptor loses the ability to power external devices but that doesn't matter here because the external dock has its own power supply. The cost for the adaptor and the small external dock will be close to $180.

Personally (and I have a 2011 MacBook Air that is still working with all ports still usable) I would not put out any money on a laptop like this that is clearly failing. In addition, those USB ports were USB2 (480 Mb/s), very slow, the Firewire is obsolete, and the Thunderbolt 1 is also obsolete except you can cobble together a band aid as I described above. But then you have a laptop that is no longer portable and requires a gaggle of wires and another power supply for the dock just to connect any type of peripheral, including an external drive for backups or anything. And seems to have hardware that is failing, other things will go soon also.

Before giving up on the USB, find instructions from Apple online for resetting the SMC for this laptop and try that.

Here is the inexpensive external dock https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub

This is the adaptor: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Thunderbolt-USB-C-Adapter/dp/B01MQ26QIY/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=409934161327&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9031116&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1401056899675644699&hvtargid=kwd-373009004340&hydadcr=18062_11398739&keywords=thunderbolt+1+to+thunderbolt+3&qid=1704602234&sr=8-3

"As a bidirectional adapter, it can also connect new Thunderbolt 3 devices to a mac with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port."

jaylock1019 wrote:

I have a Macbook Pro (Late 2011) and both USB ports have stopped responding to any external devices. I have tried combinations of different cords with these devices and still nothing. Is there any way to bypass these ports or use the other ports (I believe Firewire 800 and Thunderbolt) to be able to use external USB devices? Adapters or any other suggestions?

Regarding the USB ports, have you tried shutting down & restarting your Mac?

Regarding the FW800 port - you can use this with Firewire devices only; there is no way to "convert" Firewire to USB

Regarding the Thunderbolt port - on the Late 2011's that was an original Thunderbolt port (aka Thunderbolt 1) and is only usable with 1) Thunderbolt peripherals or 2) various Thunderbolt/miniDisplayPort video adapters (DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, or VGA).

steve626 wrote:

Before giving up on the USB, find instructions from Apple online for resetting the SMC for this laptop and try that.

I second that idea. USB issues can sometimes be cured with an SMC reset. It's worth a try.

For a MacBookPro with a non-removable battery:

1. Shut down the Mac
2. Connect the Mac to power
3. Wait at least 15 seconds
4. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of these keys:

Shift + Control + Option on the left side of the keyboard

5. While holding all three keys, press and hold the power button

6. Keep holding all four keys for 10 seconds.

7. Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

The idea of using the dock piqued my interest but I was doubtful about whether or not it would work, so I contacted OWC. They basicially said it "would work" but with significant limitations. However that doesn't jive with the dock's specs that specifically say it "works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB host computers and mobile devices. Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 Mac models are supported via USB-A host connection. Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 host connection is not supported."

So, for a Late 2011 MBP the dock would have to be connected via USB-A, not Thunderbolt, which basically turns it into a USB hub.

MartinR wrote:

The idea of using the dock piqued my interest but I was doubtful about whether or not it would work, so I contacted OWC. They basicially said it "would work" but with significant limitations. However that doesn't jive with the dock's specs that specifically say it "works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB host computers and mobile devices. Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 Mac models are supported via USB-A host connection. Thunderbolt/Thunderbolt 2 host connection is not supported."

So, for a Late 2011 MBP the dock would have to be connected via USB-A, not Thunderbolt, which basically turns it into a USB hub.

Hi Martin, I actually have the dock and adaptor I mentioned, plus a 2015 iMac with (old) Thunderbolt ports. While I have used these items together before, I had not used them in the exact way I described above. I just tried it out and you are correct, it does not work with the old Thunderbolt 2 iMac ports which means it probably would not work with Thunderbolt 1 either.

I have to to retract my earlier suggestion of Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt 4 adaptor to add a dock through the Thunderbolt 1 port on the 2011 MacBook Pro.