How to Fix USB Ports Not Working on macOS Monterey

Wondering why are the USB ports not working on macOS Monterey?

As exciting as it was for users to upgrade their macOS version from Big Sur to Monterey, certain issues are disappointing. Where people were already facing Bluetooth Not Working on macOS Monterey, a recent bug also refrains them from using any peripherals.

Many users have submitted their complaints under Apple’s Developer Forums about USB hubs failing to connect or detect their external devices. Others have mentioned that just power is permitted to flow through and that any type of data transfer is prohibited.

This issue has been around since the Beta testing stages of macOS Monterey, and it was believed that a top-tier business like Apple would have resolved it before the final release. However, the bugs causing USB ports not to work properly have made their way to public release, and now people have to supposedly address the problem on their own.

To help you out in this situation and cut down your research time, we have concluded multiple solutions in this guide. All that is left for you to do is go through it and find the perfect remedy for yourself.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get straight to it!

1. Restart Your Mac.

When it comes to troubleshooting any Apple device, restarting always comes at the top. A glitch in the system may be causing the USB port not to respond correctly. But when you shut down the Mac and restart it, all the temporary issues will be resolved. 

Below are the steps you’ll need to follow:

  1. Simply click on the Apple icon at the top left corner of your screen and select Restart.
Restart your mac
  1. Alternatively, hold down the command key, control key, and Touch ID sensor/power button/eject button simultaneously for a couple of seconds, then let go.

You may also want to consider restarting the device you’re connecting to the USB port of Mac.

2. Ensure the Problem is Not In Your USB Device.

Before you jump to serious fixes, it is important to ensure that the problem is in the USP ports and not the device you’re trying to connect. You may do so by:

  • Checking the USB cable for any damage.
  • Connect a different USB device.
  • Insert the USB cable in a different USB port.
  • Replace the USB cable and try again.



3. Replace The USB Cable.

Usually, the problem occurs only in the USB 3.0, and the HDMI or USB-C ports work just fine. This is because macOS Monterey supports only the USB 3.0 or higher and would fail to recognize USB 2.0 cables.

Hence, to get rid of the USB ports not working on the macOS Monterey issue, try using USB-C 3.1, USB 3.0 Type A or any other USB-FI certified cable. If you use a USB hub to connect multiple devices, use a USB SuperSpeed HUB.

USB hub for mac



4. Connect to Another USB Port.

Each macOS device model comes with multiple USB ports. To ensure that the problem isn’t in all the ports, disconnect your external device and connect it to a different port. Moreover, if your device is connected to your computer through a USB hub, try connecting it directly to your Mac.

USB Ports Not Working on macOS Monterey



5. Reset Your SMC.

SMC or System Management Controller is a chip in Macintosh systems. It manages functions that are related to the hardware of the system. For this reason, resetting SMC boosts up the device’s performance as well as removes multiple glitches, that too without affecting your saved data.

So, if you’re experiencing the widespread USB ports not working on the macOS Monterey issue, below are the steps you should follow:

  1. To get started, shut down your Macbook by holding down the Power button for about 10 seconds, and then release.
  2. Then, long-press the right Shift key, left Option key, and left Control key for 7 seconds.
  3. After that, add the Power button in the combination. Let go after another 7 seconds.
USB Ports Not Working on macOS Monterey
  1. Then, turn on your Macbook as you normally would.

To reset an iMac, here’s what you need to do:

  1. To begin, shut down your device.
  2. Then, unplug the power cord.
  3. After about 15 seconds, plug the power cord back in.
  4. Lastly, wait for another 5 seconds before restarting your Mac in a usual way.



6. Downgrade To Big Sur.

If the USB ports are not working ever since you’ve upgraded to macOS Monterey, you should consider going back to the older version. To do so, you’ll just need to use the Time Machine backup and roll back to Big Sur. However, you must back up your data before proceeding further.

Follow the instructions below and learn how to do it:

  1. First, connect the Time Machine drive to your computer.
  2. Next, restart and keep pressing the Command key + R until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  3. Once the macOS Utilities box appears, click on Restore From Time Machine Backup.
restore from time machine backup
  1. Then, choose the backup you saved earlier for macOS Big Sur.
  2. Continue following the on-screen instructions until the process finishes.

If you don’t have the backup at hand, you can use Safari to download macOS Big Sur on your Mac.

7. Reset PRAM.

PRAM is a Parameter Random Access Memory that stores setting’s information that is rather permanent, unlike what RAM is used for. In fact, PRAM uses the internal battery for storing so that the data isn’t lost even when the Mac is shut off.

You can tell that the PRAM requires a reset when you face connectivity issues such as USB ports not working on macOS Monterey. 

To reset PRAM, follow the steps mentioned below:

  1. To begin, shut down the Mac and disconnect all USB cables.
  2. Then, turn it on by pressing the power button.
  3. Before the gray screen appears, press and hold the Option key, Command key, P, and R simultaneously.
USB Ports Not Working on macOS Monterey
  1. Release the key combination after almost 20 seconds, then let your Mac reboot.

Doing so will also reset a couple of user settings. You can go to System Preferences and modify things as you’d like.

This was all on how to fix USB ports not working on macOS Monterey. Use the comment section below and let us know which fix was the most effective in your case. For more such issues, let us know, and our team will be happy to create more Apple-related tech guides for you.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • Aimen Choudhry

    Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.

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