USB Device Using Too Much Power

Question

Level 1

4 points

USB Device Using Too Much Power

Several times recently I have had the "USB Device Using Too Much Power" notification and my external drives disappear from Finder. This puzzles me because none of the 3 drives draw any power from the Macbook Pro M3 Pro, they are amply taken care of by my CalDigit TS4 dock which has loads and they are all directly connected there. I thought that this message referred to protection of the Macbook and therefore shouldn't occur. Am I wrong? What should I be looking at to prevent this happening?

Posted on Jun 7, 2024 2:21 AM

Reply

Answer 1

kaz-k

Level 9

51,354 points

Jun 7, 2024 4:52 AM in response to rafikiphoto

Hi,

CalDigit TS4 supports following external charges on ports.

Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Hostports: Max. 98W
Each Downstream Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Port: 15W
Front 20W USB-C Port: 20W
Remaining USB-C Ports: 7.5W
USB-A Ports: 7.5W

Which ports are you using for external drives?

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 10, 2024 4:41 AM in response to rafikiphoto

USB 3.0 host ports only have to provide 900mA of 5V power (4.5W). Although there may be some devices that will charge off USB power bricks at a higher rate, something like a bus-powered hard drive really should not be pulling down more than 900mA.

USB-C Power Delivery allows for negotiation of much higher amounts of power, in either direction. That wouldn't apply to your USB-A devices, and even your USB-C devices might just be relying on traditional 5V USB power.

So it seems odd that you are getting "USB Device Using Too Much Power" messages.

Reply

Answer 3

rafikiphoto Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 9, 2024 10:00 PM in response to kaz-k

Hi, Thanks for that. Two are using USB-A 7.5 w ports, the third is using a USB-C 7.5 w port. I should mention that the problem has not appeared for the last couple of days.

Reply

USB Device Using Too Much Power

Similar questions