Macbook Pro and Thunderbolt USB problem

I have similar problem with USB. Even original Apple keyboard in most of the cases refuses to work when connected to TBD. My workaround is disconnecting USB cables and reconnecting them back. That works in 90% of cases. In other 10% it requires another reconnect.

And this is really annoying.

Did anyone tried a workaround ? Instead of using original Thunderbolt cable to purchase and use separate cable to connect MBP with TBD ? I've read on some other forums that this helped a guy, however I have not heard a confirmation of that idea.

I used the workaround solution, BUT just for a workaround and to verify what was wrong (which was eventually fixed by Apple). So the workaround is just that. Should be used as a temporary fix: Unplug the TD Thunderbolt cable from computer (leave power from TD plugged into computer). Then use spare Thunderbolt cable plugged into computer and plugged into the spare TD Thunderbolt port. That's what I did and it worked fine. BUT, it was just a workaround. Apple eventually replaced my TD (they determined that my All-in-One TD cable/electronics was not working properly). Hope it works out.

Barry is 100% correct. I finally took my display to the Apple Store after I couldn't fix the problem myself, and fortunately they could replicate the issue and determined it was either the All-in-one cable or the logic board and they ordered both just in case

I've also noticed that problem and found the solution is to have the TBD connected to my Macbook before powering up the computer. If I connect the TBD when Macbook is on then the USB keyboard won't work and I have to reboot, although sometimes unplugging the keyboard and putting it in another USB port also works.

I had the same problem and whent to our local Apple Store and they replaced my All-In-One Thunderbolt built-in cable on my TBD and this fixed the problem.

Hi guys,

for all those still struggling with this issue - I think I have a real, convenient and cheap solution.

I've shared this in another TBD USB thread, but this thread is bigger, so maybe more people will find it useful.

Anyways, I was doing some organizing with all my spare or unused cables and I'd found I have 2 spare Apple USB cables. I thought it's a shame that they're wasting away:), so I figured I could use one for the keyboard - didn't really need it, but few extra CMs couldn't hurt. And since I've connected the keyboard via the extension cable my problems with TBD were GONE! Finally! I've used this set up for over 2 weeks now and had no problems. The keyboard works everytime right from the boot up and also after sleeping and then waking up my MBP. I've also checked that when I unplug the extension and plug in the keyboard directly the old problem returns.

Thus I encourage everyone having this annoying USB problem to try an extension cable for the keyboard.

Hope that helps you guys.

Take care.

I'm having the same problem with the USB ports. I have a Thunderbolt Display that I purchased new in late December 2012 (not even 6 months old) and all of the 3 USB ports stopped functioning all of a sudden. It is attached to a brand new 15" MacBook Pro with Retina. This monitor is never moved and has only sat on my home office desk. I restated the computer and it seems the USB ports are functioning again. I'll take a read through the thread but I'm wondering if I've got a bad monitor? I really hope not after dropping so much money on all this new Apple gear.

I have 2013 MacBook Pro 15" with TB, and I can't hot plug any of my TB ports. One has three external drives daisy-chained, the other is connected to a Matrix DS1 dock.

Of course, whenever I mention this to anyone with an Apple ID badge, their response is always to chide me for having too many drives on daisy chain or that I'm using "that dock."

"Do you really need that many drives?"

Yes I do. Now update your computer's firmware.

This sounds more like an issue with the TBD which has been addressed many times in another discussion formum here. Once that issue occurs anything connected to the TBD will not work correctly. Have you connected the external daisy chain to one of the USB or TB connectors on your computer (i.e. not from the display)? You may find all ok in that regard. Once the TBD interface isn't working properly nothing else that is plugged into the TBD will likely work (and you lose keyboard & cursor control--IF plugged into the display from the mouse or keyboard). IF this is what is occurring then you'll need to address the computer-TBD interface issue. If this is not the problem I can't help (other than to say if you want USB-3 superspeed make sure when you boot up the first drive which is plugged into a computer's USB-3 port is a USB-3 drive and not a USB-2. if it is USB-2 then that port will operate at USB-2 speeds thereafter until you boot up again and plug in a USB-3 device first. That info comes from a bulletin from Apple when using the MacBook Pro, with or without Retina.

This one worked for me!

It seems that USB Kbd and other things connected to it just works if you add extension cable. Someone misscalculated cable capacity 😉.

Oh, dear Apple...

I too am having this issue, I have a rMBP running 10.8.4 & 27" purchased in Dec. '12 and just recently the USB has started to fail. I only have 3 things connected to the USB on the display.

#1 Apple fullsize Keyboard.

#2 Apple USB SuperDrive.

#3 A Buffalo MiniStation 1tb external USB HD.

I use the external Apple Magic Trackpad via bluetooth, so no Logitech stuff.

Often when I wake my machine up in the morning, is when I discover the error message that the drive was disconnected without ejecting it and the keyboard is unresponsive. If I restart the machine it comes back, sometimes it comes back if I simply send it to sleep and wake it up again it comes back.

I live in Taiwan where it's very humid, but my Mac is in the living room and we have the A/C going at night (and while I'm working) so the display is constantly in the A/C helping to keep the humidity down to about 20~30%.

After reading this thread, I've dug out the keyboard extension cable and will give that a shot. If it doesn't work I will have to try a different TB cable. I live about 2 hours away from the nearest ASP, so it's not going to be easy to get it repaired and it doesn't always happen. I also unplugged the display last night and will work a couple of days on the laptop alone leaving the screen with no power.

Sam, I don't know if this will work for you or not, but when I was troubleshooting my TD issue (similar to yours) I did something in the way of troubleshooting the problem so that when I spoke to an Apple Store Rep I would have a little knowledge background. I was trying to see if the Thunderbolt Display All-In-One cable and/or its TD interface in the display was an issue. To do that I purchased an extra Thunderbolt cable (it cost me $50, but I wanted to explore a little bit so I really didn't care regarding that cost--and it gave me an extra Thuderbolt cable for future use). When unplugged the Thunderbolt part of the All-In-One TD cable (left power plugged in of course), and then substituted my extra Thunderbolt cable between my computer and the TD Thunderbolt port, everything worked well for me as far as the display, keyboard, mouse, sound, and video.

Additionally, with regard to USB, although this might not be your particular issue, I found a note from Apple indicating that with USB 3 on the MBP-R, after booting, the first device you plug in to the particular USB port on the computer will determine if that port will run at the USB 3 or 2 rates. If that device is a USB 2 device, then that USB connector will operate at USB 2 Highspeed, even if you then plug in a USB 3 device. Rebooting resets all this. So be careful if you want USB 3 Superspeed; make sure you plug in a USB 3 device first to the port you want to use for Superspeed after booting. Of course, if you enable USB 3 on a connector and then plug in a USB 2 device it will only run at USB 2 Highspeed rates (but if you again plug in USB 3 it will go back to Superspeed). AGAIN, re-booting resets all this as regard to the USB connectors. Don't ask me why this functions in this manner, but Apple has an FAQ in their USB 3 area explaining it. Sorry if I didn't explain it well enough. I tried

This info may or may not assist, but I have gone through these issues and now have a system that works great. (Mine: MBP-R w/750GB SST, 2.7Ghz Core i7 Processor, 16GB RAM, Thunderbolt 27" Display, LaCie Thunderbolt SST back up drives, USB 3 Car Reader, external Apple USB Superdrive)

Thanks for the advice Barry. It's only been a day or so with it all plugged in, and so far it's been behaving. If it starts playing around I'll order in a Thunderbolt cable to test it out.

So far all I've done is to leave it unplugged for over a day, and to use the Keyboard Extension cable that came with the Apple Keyboard.

MichaloM, are you using these extra USB cables to plug your USB keyboard into the TB display, or directly into a USB port on your Mac?

@tpesco

Hi,

I've plugged the keyboard to the TBD using the extension cables - it's been working perfectly ever since.