Why is my Mac not detecting my flash drive?

Try Different USB Ports: Sometimes a specific USB port might be faulty. Plug your flash drive into different ports on your Mac. If it works in another port, then the original port might have a hardware issue. Also, inspect if the USB port is clean and free from dust as debris can occasionally prevent a proper connection.

I understand the frustration of having a Mac not detecting a flash drive. Here’s what worked for me: 1. Check the Flash Drive Format: Sometimes the issue is the flash drive’s format. macOS might not read certain formats natively. Use Disk Utility to check if the drive is formatted correctly. Reformat the drive to a Mac-compatible format like ExFAT or HFS+. Remember to back up important data before reformatting. 2. PRAM Reset: Resetting Parameter Random Access Memory (PRAM) can sometimes resolve USB detection issues. Restart your Mac and hold down Command + Option + P + R keys simultaneously during startup until you hear the startup sound twice. 3. External Power Source: If you’re using a USB hub, ensure it has its own power supply. Flash drives and other devices may require more power than the Mac’s port provides, especially with multiple devices connected. Plug the flash drive directly into the Mac to see if it gets detected.

1. Check Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities and open Disk Utility. Sometimes, your flash drive might not appear on the desktop or in Finder but will show up here. If you find it in Disk Utility, try mounting it manually. 2. Restart Your Mac: Restarting can often fix the issue. A fresh start can refresh the system and possibly detect the flash drive upon reboot. 3. Update macOS: Ensure your macOS is up to date by going to System Preferences > Software Update. Sometimes, software bugs cause hardware detection issues, which are often fixed in newer updates.

When my Mac didn’t detect my flash drive, I discovered a few strategies that fixed the issue: 1. Use Terminal Commands: Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and type ‘diskutil list’ to see all disks connected to your Mac. This command lists every storage device, even those not visible in Finder. If your flash drive shows up here, it confirms a software recognition problem rather than a hardware one. 2. Check Finder Preferences: Open Finder and go to Finder > Preferences > General. Make sure ‘External disks’ is checked. Under the Sidebar tab, ensure ‘External disks’ is selected. If unchecked, your flash drive won’t show up in Finder. 3. Safe Mode Boot: Restart your Mac and hold the Shift key during startup to boot into Safe Mode, which runs checks and loads only necessary system files. If your flash drive is recognized in Safe Mode, the issue might be third-party software interference. 4. Inspect Flash Drive: Check the flash drive’s physical condition for signs of damage. Also, try using it in another USB port on your Mac or another computer. If the drive isn’t recognized by another device, it’s likely a faulty drive. 5. NVRAM and SMC Reset: Resetting Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) and System Management Controller (SMC) can sometimes resolve hardware detection issues. To reset NVRAM, restart your Mac and hold down Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds. For an SMC reset, shutdown your Mac, unplug it, and press specific keys upon restarting (varies by model). 6. Use System Information: Open System Information (Apple Menu > About This Mac > System Report) and navigate to USB under the Hardware section. It shows all USB connected devices. If the flash drive appears but isn’t recognized in Finder or Disk Utility, it might imply a file system issue or that the drive is drawing too much power. 7. Remove Third-Party Software: Third-party apps and drivers can conflict with USB detection. Check and remove any recently installed software affecting hardware connectivity. Additionally, software like DriveDX can diagnose the health of your USB flash drives and storage devices.