I have an iMac (***) running Sequoia and a USB-A hub/adapter plugged into one of the USB-C ports on the iMac. USB-A thumb drives plugged into the hub no longer show up in Finder. I can plug the same thumb drives into a MacBook running Ventura using the same hub or with a USB-A to USB-C adapter and they show up. How to restore drives in the USB hub showing up in Finder?
[Edited by Moderator]
iMac 24″, macOS 15.1
They don't mount, or they don't show up in the Finder. Not necessarily the same thing.
Check Finder -> Settings -> General -> Show these items on the desktop to see if External Drives are listed - if this is unchecked, the the Finder won't show the drive on your desktop, even if it is mounted and accessible to applications.
If this IS checked and the drives still don't appear, second step would be Disk Utility to see if the physical device is listed, and you may be able to mount it from there.
If it's not listed in Disk Utility then System Information would be the next port of call, to check the USB bus and see what the Mac can detect as attached to your machine. This might take a little triage since it's kind of 'under the hood', but it should at least tell you if the Mac physically sees the drive.
Once we know what level it does/does not work we can determine next steps.
They don't mount, or they don't show up in the Finder. Not necessarily the same thing.
Check Finder -> Settings -> General -> Show these items on the desktop to see if External Drives are listed - if this is unchecked, the the Finder won't show the drive on your desktop, even if it is mounted and accessible to applications.
If this IS checked and the drives still don't appear, second step would be Disk Utility to see if the physical device is listed, and you may be able to mount it from there.
If it's not listed in Disk Utility then System Information would be the next port of call, to check the USB bus and see what the Mac can detect as attached to your machine. This might take a little triage since it's kind of 'under the hood', but it should at least tell you if the Mac physically sees the drive.
Once we know what level it does/does not work we can determine next steps.
The current version of macOS Sequoia is 15.7.7 (I think). Start by applying that.
Then check the connection of the hub to the Mac.
Try different ports and even try flipping the connector downside up in the Mac's ports. Sometimes that works.
Iff possible, try using a different cable, or adapter, between the hub and the Mac.
Any chance you have web security software, anti-virus, cleaning, optimizing or VPN software installed on the iMac?
If so, these can interfere with the Mac's ability to mount external drives. Uninstall them and check the problem again.
Have you check the Finder Settings and made sure to enable display of external disks?
Finders > Settings... > General > Show External disks.
FishingAddict wrote: I know that it sounds simple, but have you tried rebooting the iMac?
Simple is good!
One step above simple is, "Have you tried re-starting in Safe Mode?" This bypasses certain potentially disruptive processes, and it often helps. Safe Mode is different for different computers, so see this:
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
One step below simple is, "Do those thumb drives work when you plug them in directly, without the hub?"
I know that it sounds simple, but have you tried rebooting the iMac?
Simple is good--it worked. Thanks for the reminder.
iMac (Sequoia): USB-A drives via hub not showing in Finder
