Q: macbook pro usb ports not working

This solved my problem! Thanks!

I just follow these steps:

1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.

With both USB ports not working, the only issue I have with doing a recovery is that if booting from recovery mode fails to repair the USB ports, there's no way to restore from Time Machine.

Then your really screwed!

I tried the SMC and PRAM resets many times to no avail. Started with just one USB port failing, thought okay I can live with one as I only use it for Time Machine anyway, then that one failed too.  Short of purchasing a Time Capsule which then another back up through Wifi can be made, a restore through WiFi would be the fix in case the USB failure is more like a motherboard issue.

It's a shame that Time Machine cannot be used through another port like ThunderBolt, but that's Apple being Apple I guess.

I have a 13" MBP early 2012.3 GHz i5 w/ 16 GB 1333 DDR3 RAM, 480GB SSD, running Mavrick 10.9.3

All software is up to date. 

So what now?  I'd hate to buy a Time Capsule I don't need. It's an expensive test.

i have also the same problem about usb port doesn't work? is rebooting the mac will delete all your files? i only used one port, so it makes me sick to remove and put another flash drive to use. plz help if rebooting is the solution so i wont bring my mac pro in store ;( thank yo!!

so thus it works for you by doing your mac to sleep? does your usb port works now?

ok ill try ..

hi tjk i almost read all your comments and suggestions and i just wanna ask about my mac pro which was my auntie gave me i dont know when she bougt and how many years she used it, it is a 15" mac pro mid 2009 and OS 10.9.1 and when i tried to used it because it is my first time to use mac i noticed one of my usb ports doesn't work at all so i only used the other one. i am afraid i may lose this too, so can u help me with regards to these? does rebooting or resetting sms and pram may help? does it deletes all my files if i do so?

thank you!!

Rebooting is just restarting your computer, by turning it off, then back on again.

Not the same as booting in recovery mode, where there's options to erase, reinstall the OS and data from Time Machine. You need a solid Time Machine back up and a working USB to it, or a Time Capsule that backsup and restores from Wifi.

Resetting sms and the pram will not delete your files. Seems to help some people, but didn't solve my issue.

Hi i,

See WebBrowser2's reply to your questions. They're the same answers I would give you.

That worked!  Well done sir! 

I have 3 ports on my pro, and only 1 works. I tried both SMC and PRAM resets, it did not fix the problem? Any other ideas?

I am having the same issue. My rear USB is not recognizing anything I plug into it, but oddly enough there is power going through the port. USB drives "flash" then cut off, and a My Passport lights up as if in sleep mode, but does not connect. I have reset the SMC and NVRAM, no go. It did work previously, but I have no idea when it stopped. If the only fix is a logic board replacement, I'll just have to live with one port (I'm attached to my internal cd drive).

OSX 10.8.5, early 11 MBP, 2.7 GHz i7.

Same issue here... I tried all resets SMC and NVRAM...

When i start on single mode i get this message.

I don't know what else to do.

Hi I was having a similar problem. The external usb device was not being recognised in finder. This was intermittent and some times it was recognised by finder and other times not. Very frustrating. However, I went up to finder tab at top left hand side of the Desktop screen. Clicked on. Clicked on Preferences. On left hand side of drop down menu I checked the box for external drive. The tried it out a number of times. Worked every time. You can also put the external drive icon onto Desktop. Haven't had a problem with it since.

Hope this may be off assistance to you.

Regards,

Langreen.

I have a Late 2011 running OS 10.10.4.  My front USB port stopped working and Apple replaced the board. It (the port) worked when I picked it up and for about 1 day then it stopped functioning. Since they sent it out for repair they extended my Applecare for 90 days.  So.. back it goes.  Tried all the resets last time.  I'm done fooling with it. I own about 20 Apple computers/devices and have four of this model. The others are fine. I'm not sure whats wrong but hopefully they will fix it the second time around.

Thank you!!  Worked!!!!