How to Fix a USB Device Not Working on a Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

USB devices on top of a computer keyboard.

2. USB Devices

USB is the most common type of connector used to attach peripherals to computers. Whether you have a wired or wireless peripheral, chances are they use this type of connector.

USB dongle and USB cable.


The majority are Plug and Play which means they will be recognized by Windows as soon as you plug them into the computer and you can use them right away. Others might require software or drivers to be installed on the computer before plugging them in.

The requirement to install software or drivers varies by manufacturer and device model. Refer to your peripherals documentation to find out if this is necessary.

3. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

4. Install Drivers

The drivers may come with the device on a disc or you can download them from the manufacturers website.

Install from Disc

  1. Insert the disc that came with your device into the computer.
  2. Launch Finder.
Finder on macOS.
  1. From the Go menu, select Computer.
Go and Computer options highlighted in Apple menu.
  1. Locate the disc drive and double click it to open its contents.
Disc drive highlighted in macOS Finder.
  1. Look for the Setup or Install file and launch it, then follow the instructions to install the drivers onto the computer.

Install from Website

  1. Open a web browser on your computer.
  2. Navigate to the manufacturers website.
  3. Look for the Support heading on the website and click on it.
Example of support heading placement on manufacturer website.
  1. The place where the drivers can be downloaded from varies by how the manufacturers website is designed. Sometimes you can find them under the Downloads section, other times under Software or under Drivers, or even a combination of these words.
  2. You can either find the needed drivers by typing in the peripherals name and model in the search field like in the image above or you can find them by clicking through the categories of devices like in the image below.
Category based device search on manufacturer website.
  1. Once you've located the driver for your device, click to download it and save it onto your computer.
  2. Launch the downloaded driver and follow the instructions to install it on the computer.

5. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

6. Use with Power Cable / Adapter

External USB drive being connected to power and other device.
  1. Plug in the power cable into the USB device (middle).
  2. Plug in the included power cable / adapter into a power outlet.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB cable into the USB device.
  4. Plug in the other end of the USB cable into the computer.

7. Connect USB Device

Connect the USB device into your computer.

USB cable being plugged into Mac.

If your Mac does not detect the device when plugged in, plug the device into a different USB port to see if it's able to recognize it.

8. Restart

  1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
Apple menu with Restart option selected. Screenshot.

Any unsaved work will be lost.

9. Restart Device

To restart your device via power cycle:

  1. If your device has buttons or a remote control, press the power button to turn it off.
Power symbol.
  1. Unplug it from the power outlet and wait for 10 seconds.
Power cable unplugged from power outlet.
  1. Plug it back into the power outlet, then turn it back on from the power button if it has on.

10. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

11. Try Another USB Port

If your device's USB port is not working properly or at all, try using another USB port, if available.

12. Bypass USB Hub

Remove the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to your computer.

USB drive plugged directly into device.

13. What's next?

14. Check Batteries

If your device is not working, try replacing or charging it's batteries.

15. Connect USB Device

Connect the USB device into your computer.

USB cable being plugged into Mac.

If your Mac does not detect the device when plugged in, plug the device into a different USB port to see if it's able to recognize it.

16. Restart

  1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
Apple menu with Restart option selected. Screenshot.

Any unsaved work will be lost.

17. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

18. Restart Device

To restart your device via power cycle:

  1. If your device has buttons or a remote control, press the power button to turn it off.
Power symbol.
  1. Unplug it from the power outlet and wait for 10 seconds.
Power cable unplugged from power outlet.
  1. Plug it back into the power outlet, then turn it back on from the power button if it has on.

19. Try Another USB Port

If your device's USB port is not working properly or at all, try using another USB port, if available.

20. Bypass USB Hub

Remove the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to your computer.

USB drive plugged directly into device.

21. What's next?

22. Low Power

USB hub connected to devices.

If you have a non-powered USB hub connected to a USB port on your computer, and your USB device doesn't get enough power to be detected, then you can try the following:

  • Reduce the number of devices connected to the USB hub.
  • Bypass the USB hub and connect the USB device directly to the computer.
  • Replace the non-powered USB hub with a powered USB hub.

23. Disconnect USB Device

Disconnect the USB device from your computer.

USB cable being unplugged from Mac.