USB Drives Ejecting Themselves randomly

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USB Drives Ejecting Themselves randomly

I am having a very odd, and potentially "dangerous" (as it may lead to corrupt backups) problem with the USB ports on my brand new late 2011 Macbook Pro 13". The problem is that any usb drive (incl. Powered External HDDs, USB sticks, memory card readers etc.) eject themselves randomly while connected to any of the two available USB ports. I have read through several discussions about this issue but have not been able to find any explanation or solution to this. The thing which bothers me most is that when I wiggle the usb plug in the port on the laptop, the drives eject SOMETIMES, and sometimes they just eject without me doing anything, and sometimes they don't eject at all; so I don't know if it is a hardware fault, or something which I can fix myself!

I brought the machine back to the store and plugged two USB sticks in and wiggled them about, and they stayed mounted, so that was a waste of time. Then I thaught, maybe it has something to do with power management, so I tried this with the MagSafe connected and disconnected. It seems that the ejecting happens when the MagSafe IS connected to the power, and more often with my POWERED External HDDs. It makes no difference which ports I use. I reset the System Management Controller (SMC) and the problem SEEMS to have stopped, but I only tested shortly after doing this.

My question is, should I be worried that I have faulty USB ports on my Macbook (since wiggling the connection seems to have affected it), or is it really something to do with the SMC and my hardware is all OK?

Thanks in advance for your help!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 16, 2012 12:53 AM

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Answer 1

Demonani Author

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Jul 23, 2012 3:49 AM in response to Demonani

So resetting the SMC has not eliminated the problem :-(. Everything worked for about a week without any intermittent ejecting, and then is started again. Really have no idea why this is happening or what I can do to fix it! Will try to bring the machine back to the store again and explain the situation to the assistant...

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Answer 2

Jul 23, 2012 4:07 AM in response to Demonani

I've no problems with my USB ports on my late 2011 15" MacBook Pro - I use a number of USB flash devices, cameras, etc., all which require 'ejecting' but don't have any USB mass storage devices. If I were you, I'd take along one of your USB devices that is giving you fits when you go to the Apple Store. Try and replicate your problem. You might also want to phone AppleCare tech support before taking the unit in so that there will be documentation on your side.

Since it's a problem with multiple devices, it sounds as if it's a problem with the USB ports and not the devices. This is the first I've heard of problems with USB ports on the 2011 models so it may be indicative of something even more involved.

Clinton

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Answer 3

Demonani Author

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Jul 23, 2012 4:23 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Thank you for your response Clinton! I'll see what the shop assistant says now when I take it into the store. I have one of my USB sticks with, which also kept ejecting (tested this morning and it ejected a few times, but very intermittently). Hopefully it will eject in the store and I will be able to prove that there is an issue. It's just embarrasing when you say there is a problem, but you can't prove it on site 😠!

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Answer 4

Shootist007

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Jul 23, 2012 4:27 AM in response to Demonani

Sounds like you have a hardware problem. If this is a NEW late 2011 model then it was either a refurb or leftover store stock. In either case you have a 14 day No Questions Asked Return Policy for Full Refund or if you are past that time period a 1 year warranty.

If within the 14 days return it for full refund. If past that time take it in and have Apple fix the problem under the warranty.

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Answer 5

Shootist007

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Jul 23, 2012 4:29 AM in response to Demonani

Demonani wrote:

Thank you for your response Clinton! I'll see what the shop assistant says now when I take it into the store. I have one of my USB sticks with, which also kept ejecting (tested this morning and it ejected a few times, but very intermittently). Hopefully it will eject in the store and I will be able to prove that there is an issue. It's just embarrasing when you say there is a problem, but you can't prove it on site 😠!

Like I said above. If it is within the 14 day return period stop fooling with it and Return it for Full Refund.

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Answer 6

Lexiepex

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Jul 23, 2012 5:32 AM in response to Demonani

I agree with shootist completely. Follow his advice !!

But I will give you also my experiences with new and old MacBookPros:

some USB devices have to be given an extra push when already thought to be in, they go in 1 mm more and perform flawless, some USB devices just eject themselves when both USB ports are used with power drawing devices for example two HDD's without own power connected, the power from the USB ports then is on the "border" of being exhausted (I once had this with two WDC drives connected).

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Answer 7

Demonani Author

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Jul 23, 2012 5:43 AM in response to Shootist007

Unfortunately it is already past 14 days. I purchased it just before the new June models came out, it was brand new from the store. I am writing from Austria, and we don't have any Apple stores here yet, so perhaps the store I got it from has different return/repair policies. I am hoping for a replacement, as I need the machine on a daily basis. Thank you for your advice Shootist!

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Answer 8

Demonani Author

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Jul 23, 2012 5:47 AM in response to Lexiepex

@LexSchellings, I have checked previous threads regarding this subject and they all mentioned that the Macbook USB ports have a rather weak power output. Unfortunately the ejecting problem is happening with both powered and non-powered USB drives, and with only one or both ports used. I do think, for some reason that it has something to do with power management, but really don't know what it could be. It also happened often that the USB devices ejected when I plugged the MagSafe adapter into the Macbook, without touching the USB plugs!

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

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Jul 23, 2012 7:03 AM in response to Demonani

The Austrian stores have no less than the Apple one year, maybe the warranty is even TWO years instead of one (according to European law). Take it back to the store.

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Answer 10

Demonani Author

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Jul 26, 2012 1:28 AM in response to Demonani

I have taken the machine to the store now, and after making me come back a second time the guy took it in to "do tests", but the issue did not occur while I was in the store. The second time I came in I brought along a video, showing that the USB drives are getting ejected when slightly moved in the USB slots but the guy just asked why do I move them and not leave them alone...! Does anyone know if I would be entitled for a replacement by European law if I am unable to prove the fault to the shop assistant (apart from my video)?

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Answer 11

Lexiepex

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14,108 points

Jul 26, 2012 2:23 AM in response to Demonani

Call Apple Support: your machine is in the warranty period, explain the issue and the behaviour of the shop guy. Unintended little movement of the USB connector cable can occur when you rearrange something on your desk, it should not eject the disk.

http://store.apple.com/at

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Answer 12

Demonani Author

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Aug 19, 2012 8:25 AM in response to Demonani

So, my MacBook Pro has now undergone a logic board swap, and when I got it back from repair everything seemend perfectly fine. The external drives which kept getting ejected are not ejecting any more, no matter how much I wiggle the plug in the USB socket. Then yesterday I tried a small USB stick, and bam - it's getting ejected again when touched slightly. I tried 2 different sticks and the same thing is happening. Then I tried the HDDs again - no problems. Then tried the USB sticks again - no problems. This is really driving me crazy, I cannot understand why it happens so intermittently and then works prefectly like nothing ever happened. Also, it can't be a software issue since physically moving the USB plug affects it. Now I am not sure if I should take it back for another repair and keep fighting, or just learn to live with it. I am wondering if it is simply a design fault with the MacBook Pro, or something to do with the way the USB ports are built. Any ideas on what I should do?

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Answer 13

Shootist007

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Aug 19, 2012 11:40 AM in response to Demonani

I'd keep fighting. There is not reason for to accept, Live With, something like this.

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Answer 14

Demonani Author

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Aug 19, 2012 2:12 PM in response to Demonani

Alright, I'll take it back for second repair tomorrow. I heard that according to Apple policy - after 3 repairs I should get a replacement if it's still not fixed. Still, I am very curious why or how this problem is happening, after the logic board was changed!?

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Answer 15

Shootist007

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Aug 19, 2012 2:20 PM in response to Demonani

Hate to say this but Maybe they didn't change the Logic board. Maybe they just tightened up the USB ports and after a little use they will losen back up.

Do you have a Printed receipt detailing the work that was done? If not ask for one the next time you go in and for every time you go in get something in writing that you were there, what you asked them about and what there answers were.

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