ASUS ZenDrive V1M External Drive Not Showing Up on my MBP M1 14" 2021 Desktop

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candrews4 Author

Level 1

4 points

ASUS ZenDrive V1M External Drive Not Showing Up on my MBP M1 14" 2021 Desktop

ASUS ZenDrive V1M External CD/DVD Drive Not Showing Up on my MacBook Pro M1 14" 2021 Desktop.

MacOS is Sequoia 15.7.3.

The drive only shows up as a USB 3 device in the System Report only.

It does not show up on the Disk Utility or Desktop with a CD or DVD loaded.

I have tried it with both media and tried it plugged into each of the 3 USB 3 ports. Restarted with a CD and DVD in the drive, still won't show up in the Disk Utility or Desktop.

The drive appears to run and spin up the disk, then it just stop, so I know the drive mechanically is working.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Dec 19, 2025 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

Ronasara

Level 6

15,519 points

Dec 19, 2025 10:13 AM in response to candrews4

Thank you for the very thorough information. Since it shows up in the System Report, that shows that the computer recognizes it and that it has a good USB connection. I'm going to suggest that the disk is failing since Disk Utility can't see it. One last thing. Try restarting the computer in the Safe Mode. Press the Shift key on restart, then see if there is any change. Then restart normally. Good luck.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,708 points

Dec 19, 2025 8:02 PM in response to candrews4

Are these blank discs or ones with data on them?

Are these commercial printed discs or are these ones that were burned on a computer?

Are these recent discs, or are these older discs from years ago? If so, what are they & how old are they? Some older ones may not be readable on current Macs depending on their age & type of disc or data on them.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

203,037 points

Dec 19, 2025 8:44 PM in response to candrews4

"ASUS ZenDrive V1M External Drive Not Showing Up on my MBP M1 14" 2021 Desktop"

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ASUS Not Working 100%:

Try the AI Assistant on ASUS' Site. Report back the results. Everything you need in a DVD drive and writer | ASUS Global

Screenshot.

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Answer 4

candrews4 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2025 5:41 AM in response to HWTech

The DVD is a commercial disk from a concert circa 2009. The CD is a commercial disk for 1996.

I think the issue is with the ZenDrive and needing more power from the MacBook USB 3 port.

The drive shows up in the System Report, just not the Disk Utility and not on the Desktop.

My next step is to get a powered USB 3 hub and try it.

Thank you for your input.

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Answer 5

Dec 19, 2025 11:01 AM in response to candrews4

a common problem with small bus-powered DVD readers is not enough power from the USB bus.

you can check that here:

--graphic provided by senior contributor Allan Jones.

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