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Anthony Acock Author

Level 1

116 points

the USB device drawing too much power has been disabled.

Hello,

I keep getting this error.

" To prevent damaging your computer, the USB device drawing too much power has been disabled. Other devices may have also been disabled. When you disconnect the device drawing too much power, your other USB devices will be enabled again."

I'm using a macbook pro, which is about a year old. the only thing i have plugged into a usb port is a keyboard. the mouse i am using is a mighy mouse. both keyboard and mouse work fine. just keep getting this obnoxious popup.

any idea how to resolve this?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Feb 15, 2012 2:58 PM

Top-ranking reply

Courcoul

Level 6

18,588 points

Posted on Feb 21, 2012 10:43 AM

The USB2 spec states that the max. current available on the plug is 500 mA. That's why some devices from the PC world sport a strange two-headed USB cable, so they can suck the whole Amp from the computer.

But in this case, if the power management is deciding there's too much power drain from the get-go with nothing plugged in, there definitely is something wrong. Mind you, some of the components on the Mac are internally connected to the USB infrastructure, such as the trackpad, camera, etc. I'd suggest the following:

Reset the SMC: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Run the extended Apple Hardware Test: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
If all else fails, schedule a visit to the Apple Store. Hope the Mac is still under warranty.

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131 replies

sanjampet

Level 5

7,982 points

Feb 16, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Anthony Acock

try a different keyboard, there could be an issue with the cable or connector

Feb 21, 2012 10:17 AM in response to Timothy Elliott1

Yeah, it's weird. I can't think of anything that would be drawing power. And I reliably get the message first thing when I start up my computer. It doesn't seem to make sense.

Jun 10, 2012 8:23 AM in response to Anthony Acock

I ended up having a little bit of foil that had slipped into the jack that was shorting it out. They got it out at the apple store.

BM6

Level 1

8 points

Jun 24, 2012 11:04 PM in response to Anthony Acock

PS: I don't have a single usb connection plugged in any more, and still get the message!

Jul 31, 2012 6:25 PM in response to minimejh

well hopefully it is just the white cable. I don't have a hub, mouse & keyboard are wireless.

Aug 11, 2012 1:42 PM in response to clittle56

Edit: Some posts also mentioned a power hub, does it allow you to use the USB when the MacBook has disabled them?

Dec 29, 2012 11:31 AM in response to Anthony Acock

Its most likely a damaged USB cord. Replace the cord. I had the same problem and was able to narrow it down directly to that.

mariskt

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2013 7:44 AM in response to Anthony Acock

T'was aluminium foil in my case (from medicine pack) - it had slipped into the wide end of the cable.

May 8, 2013 10:29 AM in response to Anthony Acock

I'm getting this error when just plugging in a micro USB cable with nothing connected to the cable!

Csound1

Level 9

60,033 points

May 8, 2013 11:15 AM in response to MaverickFlyboy

Try another cable, same result?

May 8, 2013 11:49 AM in response to Csound1

No, it must just be that cable.

rogerh2

Level 1

14 points

May 8, 2013 1:46 PM in response to MaverickFlyboy

I got it without any USB cables attached at all.

Csound1

Level 9

60,033 points

May 8, 2013 1:53 PM in response to rogerh2

rogerh2 wrote:

I got it without any USB cables attached at all.

Reboot

rogerh2

Level 1

14 points

Jun 19, 2013 9:22 AM in response to satyanarayana varma

It can happen without any USB cables attached at all.

rogerh2

Level 1

14 points

Jun 19, 2013 9:49 AM in response to satyanarayana varma

"I do not think that it can happen without any devices drawing power from the machine."

Well I can assure you that it does. See, for instance, my post on 07-Mar-2013 09:16.

the USB device drawing too much power has been disabled.