If you get the “USB Accessories Disabled” error on a new Mac then it’s definitely alarming. If connected devices are pulling more power than your Mac can provide, this message appears. And here’s how to fix it quickly and for good.
“The “USB Accessories Disabled” error” What does it mean?
If you see “USB Accessories Disabled,” your Mac has temporarily disabled its USB ports by cutting power. Connected devices have negotiated to draw more power than the Mac can safely supply under this protective measure.
This error is common with:
- Devices which need this kind of high power, such as external hard drives not having their own power.
- USB hubs which don’t power multiple devices, and need power from the Mac.
- The Common Causes of the USB disabled Error
This error typically occurs due to:
- Too many power-hungry devices: Multiple devices connected that get power from the Mac may overload.
- Devices without power supply: Mac’s power can be drained by external drives with their own power.
- Damaged cables or ports: If faulty connections, improperly installed fuses, or the fuses are of the wrong size, it will probably interfere with normal power delivery.
- Unpowered USB hubs: Hubs that don’t have their own independent power instead draw from the computer, straining it if you have many devices connected.
How To Fix the “USB Accessories Disabled” Error
To get rid of this message, try these solutions:
Disconnect all USB devices
- Disconnect all accessories and wait a bit. Reconnect them one by one until you find one of the problematic devices.
Switch USB ports - Using a different port may sometimes fix things, as power problems can be port specific.
Opt for self-powered devices
- Devices with their own built in power sources take some load off your Mac. Power hungry devices, like hard drives, connect to their own adapters.
Use powered USB hubs
- When you use a USB hub, opt for one of those with its own power source, to prevent your Mac from being overloaded with power.
Restart your Mac - A repair restart is a quick and easy fix to refresh your Mac’s power settings and thus also often fixes the error.
Check for macOS updates
- MacOS is updated by Apple quite often, and one of these updates was to overcome the performance benchmark set by the USB port functionality. Make sure you have the latest installed.
What if the Error Persists?
These fixes don’t seem to fix the problem, it could also be hardware, like a bad USB port or motherboard. In this situation, have a Mac taken to an Apple certified tech to get deeper.
When I did this, disconnecting and reconnecting the USB hub it seemed to fix the problem. It was sudden, but knowing these steps helps you from getting this annoying error or fix it in a minute.