On a 2019 16" MacBook Pro all 4 USB-C ports only do power - no data. I tried new USB-C I/O boards and still see the problem. Tried OS update, SMC reset, NVRAM reset. Also happens in a windows bootcamp partition. Machine otherwise runs fine.
Any ideas?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)
MD_Cowboy wrote:
OK, on further testing the issue appears to be that the USB ports do not work unless the target device is USB 3... for example USB 2 devices and HDMI adapter do not work - but power and USB 3 thumb drives work fine. This appears to be a known issue with a 2019 and 2020 Macbooks
I've never seen this specific behavior before while supporting my organization's Macs, nor have I seen any reports of this being a "known issue" even on this forum. Anytime a USB-C port is not working correctly, it is due to a hardware issue of some sort. The USB-C ports on the Macs are complex because they can handle several different protocols & functions....any one of those protocols/functions can have a problem while the rest may appear to be working fine. In fact, just rotating the USB-C connector of the cable 180º upside down can sometimes allow a device to work if the USB-C port is half bad.
Plus, the Logic Boards on this particular model laptop (MBPro 16" 2019) has an extremely high rate of failure...not for this exact issue, but for Kernel Panics and T2 chip issues. So I personally don't recommend spending any money on repairs to this laptop since that money would be better put towards a new laptop.
- but I have not seen a fix for it?
Don't wait for a miraculous fix from a macOS update patch....it won't be coming. Have your laptop examined & evaluated by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If Apple gives the laptop a clean bill of health, then look at the external devices including cables & adapters for the source of the problem.
MD_Cowboy wrote:
OK, on further testing the issue appears to be that the USB ports do not work unless the target device is USB 3... for example USB 2 devices and HDMI adapter do not work - but power and USB 3 thumb drives work fine. This appears to be a known issue with a 2019 and 2020 Macbooks
I've never seen this specific behavior before while supporting my organization's Macs, nor have I seen any reports of this being a "known issue" even on this forum. Anytime a USB-C port is not working correctly, it is due to a hardware issue of some sort. The USB-C ports on the Macs are complex because they can handle several different protocols & functions....any one of those protocols/functions can have a problem while the rest may appear to be working fine. In fact, just rotating the USB-C connector of the cable 180º upside down can sometimes allow a device to work if the USB-C port is half bad.
Plus, the Logic Boards on this particular model laptop (MBPro 16" 2019) has an extremely high rate of failure...not for this exact issue, but for Kernel Panics and T2 chip issues. So I personally don't recommend spending any money on repairs to this laptop since that money would be better put towards a new laptop.
- but I have not seen a fix for it?
Don't wait for a miraculous fix from a macOS update patch....it won't be coming. Have your laptop examined & evaluated by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If Apple gives the laptop a clean bill of health, then look at the external devices including cables & adapters for the source of the problem.
Thanks, I found a few articles on this and all the links below point to a similar USB 2 device problem emerging since Catalina OS - specifically on 2019 and 2020 Intel based MacBooks:
I am gonna give up on this machine - I agree fully with your comments "don't recommend spending any money on repairs to this laptop since that money would be better put towards a new laptop." and "Don't wait for a miraculous fix from a macOS update patch....it won't be coming."
If not the cables as suggested by @Grant, it would appear the Logic Board is bad.
are you trying to use Charge-only cables to do the job of "real" cables?
MD_Cowboy Said:
"Why are my MacBook Pro USB-C ports not passing data?: On a 2019 16" MacBook Pro all 4 USB-C ports only do power - no data. I tried new USB-C I/O boards and still see the problem. Tried OS update, SMC reset, NVRAM reset. Also happens in a windows bootcamp partition. Machine otherwise runs fine."
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Verify the Connection:
First off, see if the Mac is even seen:
Transferring Data Hardwired:
Do you use any Security Software? If so, turn any firewalls off. As for connecting then, a crossover Ethernet cable would work, just fine(with a couple of adapters). Learn More Here: Use Ethernet to Connect two Mac Computers - Apple Support
For a Computer without Ethernet, you'd need wither of these:
OK, on further testing the issue appears to be that the USB ports do not work unless the target device is USB 3... for example USB 2 devices and HDMI adapter do not work - but power and USB 3 thumb drives work fine. This appears to be a known issue with a 2019 and 2020 Macbooks - but I have not seen a fix for it?
OS is 15.3 and all cables and devices work ok on my M1 MBP and M2 MB Air devices.
Why are my MacBook Pro USB-C ports not passing data?
