When the USB port of a Mac cannot work, you can try the following methods to troubleshoot the problem in turn: 1. Check the connection problem, confirm that the cable and device are normal, and clean the interface; 2. Restart the system and check the USB device status in the system report; 3. Reset the SMC and NVRAM (PRAM) to solve potential system abnormalities; 4. Check the system permission settings and device compatibility; 5. Troubleshoot hardware damage. If the interface does not respond or the appearance is damaged, professional repairs may be required. In most cases, it can be solved by cleaning, restarting or system adjustment. If it is invalid, hardware failure will be considered.

The USB port is used a lot on Mac, and it is really troublesome if it doesn't work. This situation may be caused by a software problem, system error, or hardware failure. Don't rush to send a repair. Most of the time, you can try some troubleshooting and repair methods first.

1. Check if it is a simple connection problem

Many times, the USB interface does not respond is actually just a small problem. For example, the cable is loose, the equipment is out of power, or the interface is dusty. First, confirm whether the external device is good - try changing the cable, or plug it into another computer to see if there is any reaction.

If the device is OK, it may be a problem with the Mac. Unplug the device and gently blow the interface. Sometimes dust accumulation can also affect identification. Reinsert again to see if there is any improvement.

2. Restart the system and check the system report

Sometimes small bugs in macOS will temporarily invalidate the USB interface. The easiest way is: restart your Mac .

After restarting, you can open the "System Report" in "About this unit" to see if your USB device appears in the list. The operation path is as follows:

• Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner > About this Mac
• Click the "System Report" button
• Find the "USB" option on the left and click to see if your device is displayed

If there is a device but it is not working, it may be a driver or compatibility issue; if it is not displayed, it may be a system or hardware issue.

3. Try resetting SMC and NVRAM (PRAM)

Sometimes, resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) can solve the problem of USB interface exceptions.

How to reset SMC:

• Mac with M1 chip or newer : shut down → wait 30 seconds → turn on
• Old Intel Mac with T2 chip : Shut down → Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds → Release → Press to turn on the power again

How to reset NVRAM/PRAM:

• Intel Mac : Press Option Command PR immediately when powering on, and release it after about 20 seconds.
• Apple Silicon Mac : Currently, there is no need to manually reset NVRAM, just restart

4. Check if there is a system permissions or settings problem

Some third-party USB devices require specific permissions to run, such as external cameras or USB drive formatting tools. You can check if there are any related prompts in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Also, if you have recently upgraded the macOS version, compatibility issues may occur. Some old models of USB devices may not support the latest system. It is recommended to check whether there are updated drivers on the official website of the device.

5. Troubleshoot the possibility of hardware damage

If you have tried all the steps above and the USB device still doesn't recognize it, it's likely a hardware issue. You can pay attention to the following phenomena:

• No sound or reaction when plugged in
• Multiple devices on the same interface cannot be recognized
• The USB-C interface has obvious scratches or deformations on its appearance

If so, it is recommended to go to Apple's official after-sales service or trusted repair points to check whether the motherboard or interface is damaged. The risk of dismantling the machine by yourself is high, so I don’t recommend it.

Basically these common inspection methods. In most cases, it can be done by restarting, cleaning the interface, and resetting the system. If you really can't do it, consider the hardware issues.

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