USB Accessories Disabled : How to Fix Issue

Hey Folks,


Just kind of puzzled on how to fix this issue.


I was just trying to plug in my USB-C adapter for my monitor when I got a pop-up on my "Macbook Pro 13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports" laptop saying that 'USB Accessories disabled. Unplug the accessory using to much power to re-enable USB devices' (as seen in Image 1 enclosed below). I did as instructed by unplugging my external USB-C to HDMI adaptor (as seen in Images 2 and 3 enclosed below) which had my USB-C Macbook charger and my HDMI cable for my monitor for at least 5 minutes. This made the pop-up for the 'USB Accessories disabled. Unplug the accessory using to much power to re-enable USB devices' instruction to go away.



After 5 minutes was up I tried again, but alas the same pop-up came up again and I was forced to unplug it again this time leaving it for 10 minutes.


Once 10 minutes was over, I plugged it in again but alas once again the pop-up appeared again.


Long story short, I have essentially just been unplugging and plugging in the supposed accessory that was taking up too much power but am getting nowhere and getting really frustrated. I have even looked for Youtube tutorials that have suggested doing an "SMC Reboot" (System Management Reboot) but I can absolutely confirm in my situation that it doesn't do help at all.


If someone could kindly give a solution to this issue and a clear step-by-step solution on how to fix this as soon as possible, that would be greatly appreciated.


~ Thanks, Ezon_101


IMAGES RELEVANT TO ISSUE



IMAGE 1



IMAGE 2



IMAGE 3

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.6

Posted on Jan 21, 2024 9:01 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 23, 2024 3:19 AM

Hey kaz-k,


Thanks for letting me know! I can certainly confirm your statement for those with the same issue as well they should indeed take their Macbook Pro to to your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined there.


Causes Of The Issue Usually Are:


HARDWARE


  1. Battery is swollen (the battery inside the computer literally looks like a balloon looking ready to burst)
  2. The USB port is indeed broken and needs to be fixed/replaced (as is the case with MacBook Pros that are the 2017 model or prior)



SOFTWARE


  1. Ensure you backup your files on an external hard drive before going to the Apple Store folks. The technicians will likely need to clean-wipe your computer, hence the files on your computer can be lost.
  2. Another really important thing, prepare a USB stick with a MacOS software installer installed on it (nothing else!). You can download a MacOS software installer by safe booting your Mac and selecting MacOS Ventura (in my case I had to since I had the MacBook Pro 2017 model which can only run MacOS Ventura and not MacOS Sonama as it happens)
  3. Once you take your MacBook Pro to the Apple store, they will likely send it off to the depot for repairs and it can take up to 1 week. Once you are there they will need to do a clean install of your MacOS software (remember, you got the clean version of MacOS software on your USB stick as mentioned in Step 2.)
  4. Ensuring you've done Step 3 correctly, no issues should occur and both USB-C ports should work now. Place your backed-up files (done in Step 1) back on your computer again and you should be good again!


Note : If there are some problems on the way, please ensure you lookup some YouTube tutorials and if necessary seek expert help from your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider so your MacBook Pro can be examined there.


Hope this helps!



~ Thanks, Ezon_101


Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 23, 2024 3:19 AM in response to kaz-k

Hey kaz-k,


Thanks for letting me know! I can certainly confirm your statement for those with the same issue as well they should indeed take their Macbook Pro to to your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined there.


Causes Of The Issue Usually Are:


HARDWARE


  1. Battery is swollen (the battery inside the computer literally looks like a balloon looking ready to burst)
  2. The USB port is indeed broken and needs to be fixed/replaced (as is the case with MacBook Pros that are the 2017 model or prior)



SOFTWARE


  1. Ensure you backup your files on an external hard drive before going to the Apple Store folks. The technicians will likely need to clean-wipe your computer, hence the files on your computer can be lost.
  2. Another really important thing, prepare a USB stick with a MacOS software installer installed on it (nothing else!). You can download a MacOS software installer by safe booting your Mac and selecting MacOS Ventura (in my case I had to since I had the MacBook Pro 2017 model which can only run MacOS Ventura and not MacOS Sonama as it happens)
  3. Once you take your MacBook Pro to the Apple store, they will likely send it off to the depot for repairs and it can take up to 1 week. Once you are there they will need to do a clean install of your MacOS software (remember, you got the clean version of MacOS software on your USB stick as mentioned in Step 2.)
  4. Ensuring you've done Step 3 correctly, no issues should occur and both USB-C ports should work now. Place your backed-up files (done in Step 1) back on your computer again and you should be good again!


Note : If there are some problems on the way, please ensure you lookup some YouTube tutorials and if necessary seek expert help from your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider so your MacBook Pro can be examined there.


Hope this helps!



~ Thanks, Ezon_101


Jan 22, 2024 1:50 AM in response to Ezon_101

Hi,

If you see USB Devices Disabled on your Mac - Apple Support

You should contact Apple Support to tell them about circumstance you face with now or take your MacBook Pro with charger and adapter to your local retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider to be examined your MacBook Pro there.

Official Apple Support

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Find Locations


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USB Accessories Disabled : How to Fix Issue

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