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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

Reply
131 replies

Feb 20, 2012 6:23 AM in response to Anthony Acock

I'm having that problem, too, but with a 2010 MacBook. I've been getting that error message periodically—including when I first power up my computer. The thing is, I have only two USB devices plugged into my laptop, and both are powered USB hubs. The only thing plugged into one of those hubs is my iPhone charge cable, and my iPhone's not attached. The other hub is attached to my Apple keyboard and a printer (the printer, of course, has its own power).


Another thing is, the Apple keyboard works, even after I get that message, so apparently it's not the thing that's being disconnected to save power, yet it's the only thing that doesn't provide its own power.


Any advice? Otherwise, I foresee a visit to the Apple Store in my future.

Feb 21, 2012 9:58 AM in response to Kevin Maness

I just had my MacBook Pro give me the "USB device drawing too much power" warning, too. The problem is that it disabled my connection to an external hard drive while the drive was spinning. Gee, thanks, Apple - next time how about a chance to eject the drive correctly and protect my data?


When did this benevolent USB power grab start? I've never seen this warning before, and I haven't added any USB devices to the lineup for at least six months.

Feb 21, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Kevin Maness

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:


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

Feb 21, 2012 8:51 PM in response to Anthony Acock

Anthony, did the SMC reset change anything?


Courcoul has sensibly reminded the assembled multitude following this thread that the built-in keyboard, trackpad, camera, SD card reader, and possibly other internal things I'm forgetting (because I'm posting from my iPad and not my MBP) are all USB devices, and if one of those is malfunctioning it could be drawing excessive power. The culprit need not be external.

the USB device drawing too much power has been disabled.

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