USB issues with Big Sur | Apple Developer Forums

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Hi,
is anyone else having major with their USB ports using Big Sur ?

every time I attach an Ex.HD the laptop crashes, on the odd occasion I have got to the point where I can open the icon of said Ex.HD but then it crashes.

This really not good as I can't even plug-in my TimeMachine Ex.HD

Anyone ???

5.8k

Posted by

klaatu13

Reply

Replies

I am having the same problems. (just posted same question)
I do know for me my ext HD (Time Machine) did work. What happens with me is I connect the HD, systems crashes, then I don't do anything and let the computer reboot. For me the drive appears and I can let it resume its backup process.
I just downgraded back to 15.6 and wait to see if Apple corrects the problem.

Posted by

stevenash2001

I just updated my MacBook Pro to Big Sur and I'm having the same issue. My external SSD ejects not long after loading onto the desktop and clicking it. I'm getting a message that says, 'Eject "Extreme SSD" before disconnecting or turning it toff' and the SSD ejects. Can't do anything with it. I read that Catalina had the same bug which was fixed but wasn't fixed for Big Sur. Any help would be appreciated. I have all my client work on the ExSSD.

Thanks

Posted by

marcsanchez

I had no trouble with Catalina but I am having the same problem after I updated to Big Sur. Time Machine gives me a warning that I have lost connection with my external USB SSD HDD. When I turn the drive off and back on it is OK for a while. I have played with the Power setting for sleep, etc. and that makes no difference.

Posted by

petemcl

If you're using Western Digital or SanDisk drives, download and install the latest WD Discovery suite. Reboot (this is essential) and then connect each drive. Make sure UAS is OFF for each (gear icon next to the drive). Eject, and reconnect. Problem should be solved. It solved it for my WD SSD Passport external drives. Flying once again, no beach-balls, no crashing with scary data loss messages. You might need to reformat a Time Machine to get it to be stable in backing up (APFS format with GUID partitions, encrypted too if you want to keep it secure). Hope this helps!

Posted by

DavidFraser

Yes, thanks. It works.I did not howver get my data back! ☹️ It is certainly a Big Sur problem and Apple side-steps every report on the issue, saying it is not a Big Sur problem. I have reformatted other drives due to this huge Big Sur problem, thinking it was my drive. All the time it appears to be a Big Sur problem! I wonder when Apple will set this right.

—
SteelQuill
It did not work either. MacBook Air 13" 2017 with OS BigSur 11.5.2 Everything (SanDisk, Lexar) used to work fine until I upgraded to BigSur. I can see/read data in a SanDisk card (connected to a Kingston reader) and Lexar stick from the USB port of my AirPort router. Apple Support via Chat seems like they never heard of this problem --despite dozens of related posts all over the internet. Made an appointment with Genius Bar at a local Apple Store. Very frustrated and disappointed.

—
grearte

If you're using Western Digital or SanDisk drives, download and install the latest WD Discovery suite. Reboot (this is essential) and then connect each drive. Make sure UAS is OFF for each (gear icon next to the drive). Eject, and reconnect. Problem should be solved. It solved it for my WD SSD Passport external drives. Flying once again, no beach-balls, no crashing with scary data loss messages. You might need to reformat a Time Machine to get it to be stable in backing up (APFS format with GUID partitions, encrypted too if you want to keep it secure). Hope this helps!

Posted by

DavidFraser

Same here

Posted by

CapitalMetal81

I have what appears to be the same problem with a Seagate Backup Plus 5TB:

The disconnection occurs under heavy USB I/O (TimeMachine backup), and also simultaneously disconnects my WD Passport 2TB drive.
Bluetooth devices (mouse and keyboard) are also disconnected, and the Bluetooth icon in the title bar has a line through it
The desktop usually remains accessible via desktop sharing, when this happens, and the Bluetooth module seems to be switched off, and cannot be switched back on.

I can collect relevant logs, or other information, upon request.

Posted by

jrmakosky

I’m having the same issue with my two seagate 8tb drives in Raid 1 via CRU data port enclosure. I connect and everything is smooth for 2 minutes then Finder becomes unresponsive and I have to force restart. This wasn’t a problem in last OS. My Samsung T7 ssd is connecting and working fine though.

Posted by

Timmeyer1717

If you're using Western Digital or SanDisk drives, download and install the latest WD Discovery suite. Reboot (this is essential) and then connect each drive. Make sure UAS is OFF for each (gear icon next to the drive). Eject, and reconnect. Problem should be solved. It solved it for my WD SSD Passport external drives. Flying once again, no beach-balls, no crashing with scary data loss messages. You might need to reformat a Time Machine to get it to be stable in backing up (APFS format with GUID partitions, encrypted too if you want to keep it secure). Hope this helps!

Posted by

DavidFraser

If you're using Western Digital or SanDisk drives, download and install the latest WD Discovery suite. Reboot (this is essential) and then connect each drive. Make sure UAS is OFF for each (gear icon next to the drive). Eject, and reconnect. Problem should be solved. It solved it for my WD SSD Passport external drives. Flying once again, no beach-balls, no crashing with scary data loss messages. You might need to reformat a Time Machine to get it to be stable in backing up (APFS format with GUID partitions, encrypted too if you want to keep it secure). Hope this helps!

Posted by

DavidFraser

i also have exact same problem, i tried to mount the external hardesk in the utility but didn't work, and now i'm doing a first aid and its taking ages still didn't show any sign its going to work either!
and yes its only usb 3.0 devices that is not working anymore after the latest update BigSur, i tried everything i even formatted the laptop completely and stuck not able to have older version of the system so i had to reinstall bigsur!
everything important is on that external hardisk all my work my art my health my everything its 1T its years and years .. i'm so sad for not being able to open it!
and every time i see a tutorial about downgrade it needs a usb! i couldn't find anything not required usb!
i won't give up i'll either figure a way to downgrade or fix the usb port by my self!
i'll be updating you!
but i'm very glad there is people like me in this situation because when i contacted apple support they told me this is their first time to hear about such a problem cause by BigSur!

now i know i'm not alone in this!

Posted by

AlaaJad

Have you try using Big Sur 11.4? And try using a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 converter. Or USB-C to USB-A cable? Does that work?

Posted by

MRUSLIDARWI

I am on Big Sur 11.5. Davif Fraser's recommendation to swith UAS off solves the problem. No problem with any cables! I have checked and tested them. it is clearly a Big Sur problem. The Internet has thousands of people complaining about this problem and Apple does not care!

—
SteelQuill

David Fraser's recommendation to switch off UAS on the Drive works. The problem is Big Sur. The Internet has thousands and thousands of people complaining about this issue. Just google to see how many people have the problem. Apple turns a blind eye to all the complaints, and claims it is not a Big Sur problem! Come on Apple, solve the problem.

Posted by

SteelQuill

I was having the same problem, USB Hard-Drive crashing all the time and having a severe performance issue.

I came across this post in another forum: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/176148/external-hard-drive-deep-freezing-macs

Go to settings - Spotlight - Privacy(right tab) and add the drive in question.

The OS stop crashing but I am still having some performance issues and the drive still ejects once in a while, but less frequently.

Posted by

luisinui

Have to review my answer above. Although the frequency of the crashes reduced after I removed it from the Spotlight search it is still crashing. My drive is still crashing when I am copying large files or if I am copying a large number of files out of the drive. It seems to be related to power management. I took a couple of extra measures that are listed on other forums like: Checking the option "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off" uncheck "Put the hard drive to sleep when possible" And increased the time for disk sleep to the maximum with Pmset (command line). But I still have the external drive crashing...

In the end, I didn't find the solution after all.

—
luisinui