External DVD drive not working post-Mojave update

Ever since I updated to Mojave, my external DVD drive no longer works. I am using a Late 2016 MBP w/ Touch Bar (4 Thunderbolt 3 ports). When I plug the DVD drive in, I can tell that it makes the disc spin, but it no longer shows up in Finder (i.e., the drive/disc never mount).

Here is what I've already tried:

1.) Double checking finder preferences to make sure external drives will show up

2.) Trying the DVD drive on another computer (PC). It works on PCs, so the drive isn't the problem.

3.) Trying different USB ports on the MacBook

The same drive always worked before Mojave. I'm wondering if Mojave reduced the power available for USB accessories.

Anyone else having this problem? Any solutions?

PS: Yes, DVDs are antiquated at this point, but I have no choice in the matter.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, 4 TBT3), 27" external 1080p display HDMI

Posted on Oct 11, 2018 2:54 PM

Top-ranking reply

EricBobrow

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Apr 14, 2019 7:13 PM

I have a SuperDrive pulled from an older MacBook Pro (when I replaced it with an SSD) housed in an external drive housing sold by Other World Computing. It worked great with that MacBook Pro, but wasn't working with my 2017 MBP which has 4 USB-C plugins. I was plugging in the USB-A into my adapter system, and although it would make noises like it was trying to spin up to speed, it didn't sound right and it wasn't recognized.

The drive container has two USB -A cables ganged together, one for data and one for external power (only necessary I think when the data connection doesn't carry enough power, which can happen with laptops). I tried plugging in that secondary USB connector into a small USB charger (similar to what Apple provides with an iPhone) and the drive was able to spin up and easily was recognized by the MBP.

So although some people may have problems with external drives due to OS issues, in my case it was a power issue; once I recognized this as a possibility, it was easy to resolve.

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65 replies

amyboelk

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2018 12:52 PM in response to SHBean

This worked great for me!! Thank you so much for posting this fix!!!!!

Dec 17, 2018 3:56 AM in response to Jared Winter

I wished that the Update 10.14.2 will solve this issue... but no use.

We need an Update as soon as possible to read at least our music CDs...

Dec 22, 2018 1:24 PM in response to SHBean

Thanks for posting this, I would of never figured this out on my own.

Dec 27, 2018 10:11 AM in response to SHBean

It worked!!!

Johnthis

Level 1

4 points

Jan 18, 2019 10:06 AM in response to Jared Winter

It’s easy folks, somewhat inconvenient but easy.

go to file then select “new Bern folder” then load your contents to the “new Bern folder” go back to file and burn new Bern folder.

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External DVD drive not working post-Mojave update