USB 3.1 hub shows in System Information only as 2.0

Question

USB 3.1 hub shows in System Information only as 2.0

I bought a "GenBasic Elite 15 Port USB 3.1 hub." I'm pretty sure I was shipped the correct product. Among other things, the port for connecting it to the computer is a USB 3.0 B socket.

However, on my Mac, System Info is reporting it as a "USB2.0 Hub," see below.

Has anyone seen anything like this? This is the first time I've tried to use an external USB hub billed as USB 3.0 or 3.1. Is this a compatibility or version issue on the Mac side (Mac mini "Late 2012;" model identifier "Macmini6,1;" Mac OS 10.11.16)?

If so, is this just an error in System Information's report, or is it really supporting the device only as a USB 2.0 hub and only at USB 2.0 speeds?

USB2.0 Hub:

Product ID: 0x0610

Vendor ID: 0x05e3 (Genesys Logic, Inc.)

Version: 92.24

Speed: Up to 480 Mb/sec

Manufacturer: GenesysLogic

Location ID: 0x14400000 / 6

Current Available (mA): 1000

Current Required (mA): 100

Extra Operating Current (mA): 0

OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Oct 15, 2017 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Buadhai

Level 1

90 points

Dec 6, 2017 12:12 AM in response to Daniel P. B. Smith

The order in which you attach stuff to a USB hub makes a difference. Read this Apple Support article:

Using USB devices with your Mac - Apple Support

Which states:

The first device you plug in will configure the port, so always connect USB 3-capable hubs or devices first.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

92,764 points

Oct 16, 2017 9:11 AM in response to Daniel P. B. Smith

My 2012 Mac Mini has 2 different USB 3.0 hard drives plugged into the center most USB ports and System Report... shows them separate from my USB 2.0 Hub and other 2.0 devices.

Maybe try plugging your 3.0 Hub into the USB ports closest to the Mini Display and HDMI ports and then only plug USB 3.0 devices into it.

Optionally if you have multiple USB 2.0 devices, you should get a USB 2.0 Hub for those devices and plug it into to outer most USB port.

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2017 3:58 AM in response to Daniel P. B. Smith

Daniel P. B. Smith wrote:

Of course. But my computer does support USB 3.0. All of the external USB ports on a Mac Mini (late 2012) are USB 3.0 ports.

Perhaps you have already done this, but have you

tried plugging into different ports?

Also, as a check, have you plugged it into the USB 3 equipped Macs

or even PCs? Do they report the same?

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Oct 15, 2017 10:52 AM in response to Daniel P. B. Smith

If your computer only supports USB 2.0, then connecting a 3.0 hub will not provide USB 3.0 speed.

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Answer 5

Oct 15, 2017 2:14 PM in response to Kappy

Of course. But my computer does support USB 3.0. All of the external USB ports on a Mac Mini (late 2012) are USB 3.0 ports.

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