What are the possible reasons behind a USB not showing up on my Mac?

Question

45 viewsJune 13, 2024Laptop

Berwin

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I’ve been experiencing an issue where my USB drive is not showing up on my Mac. Every time I plug in the device, nothing happens. The USB doesn’t appear in Finder, on the desktop, or in Disk Utility. This is frustrating because I have important files stored on that drive, and I can’t seem to access them. The USB drive works fine on other computers, so I know the problem is specific to my Mac. I’m not sure if this is a hardware issue, a software glitch, or something else entirely. My biggest concern is whether my data is safe and how I can regain access to it without losing any information.

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10 Answers

Miro · Answer 1 · 2024-12-29T03:50:28+00:00

Finder preferences might be causing the issue. Go to Finder, then Preferences, and ensure ‘External disks’ is checked under both the General tab and Sidebar tab. This ensures your Mac is set up to display external drives when connected.

Zahira · Answer 2 · 2024-11-25T19:04:28+00:00

Look out for dust or debris in the USB port. Inspect the Mac’s ports for any visible dirt, and use a non-conductive tool or can of compressed air to clear any obstructions. This ensures a clean connection when you plug in the USB device.

Zigmund · Answer 3 · 2024-11-25T14:31:36+00:00

There might be a hardware issue with the USB drive itself. To check this, try using the USB drive on another Mac or different computer. If it doesn’t show up anywhere, consider data recovery services and replacing the drive.

Aurélien · Answer 4 · 2024-11-22T21:33:09+00:00

It’s possible your USB drive has a file system that your Mac cannot read. Macs primarily use the APFS, HFS+, and FAT32 file systems. If your USB drive is formatted in a file system like NTFS (common for Windows), it won’t show up. To fix this, reformat your USB drive on a different computer, ensuring you back up any important data first.

Rilana · Answer 5 · 2024-11-11T00:27:20+00:00

One possible reason could be the USB port itself. Sometimes, a particular port may not be functioning correctly. Try plugging the USB drive into another port on your Mac. Also, check if other connected devices are being recognized by the same ports. This can help determine if the problem lies with the USB port or the drive.

Eira · Answer 6 · 2024-10-24T11:49:17+00:00

Use Disk Utility to troubleshoot. Open Disk Utility (found in the Utilities folder) and see if the USB drive shows up there but is unmounted. If so, try mounting the drive manually, allowing it to become visible in Finder and on the desktop.
1. Open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities.
2. In the sidebar, locate your USB drive.
3. Select the drive and click ‘Mount’ if it is shown as unmounted.

Loudyn · Answer 7 · 2024-10-22T17:51:38+00:00

Malware or software corruption might hinder USB recognition. Running a virus scan or malware protection software can ensure your system is free of malicious software that may interfere with USB recognition. Use reliable antivirus software to scan and remove any threats that could be causing the issue.

Terri · Answer 8 · 2024-10-04T14:03:10+00:00

Software conflicts or a macOS bug could prevent the USB from showing up. Restarting your Mac might resolve some issues. If that doesn’t work, try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) and the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory):
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release.
3. Unplug the power adapter and all accessories for 15 seconds.
4. Reconnect the power adapter, then turn on your Mac.

Konnor · Answer 9 · 2024-10-02T12:02:44+00:00

macOS updates might fix bugs affecting USB functionality. Check for and install the latest updates, as updates can resolve recognition issues. Keep the system updated since Apple frequently releases patches for hardware communication problems.
1. Click on the Apple logo at the top left of the screen.
2. Select ‘System Preferences.’
3. Click on ‘Software Update’ to check for available updates.
4. If updates are available, follow on-screen instructions to install them.

Artilya · Answer 10 · 2024-06-14T06:58:17+00:00

USB drives that need more power than the Mac’s port can supply might not show up. Try using a powered USB hub, as these hubs provide additional power to connected devices. This can ensure the drive gets enough power to be recognized by your Mac.