How to Fix USB Accessories Disabled on Mac

Sue Wayne

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

Do you own an Apple Mac computer and you noticed after a while that the USB accessories have been disabled? Don’t be perturbed because in this article we will show you how to enable USB accessories and get it working again.

usb accessories disabled on mac

If USB accessories are disabled, you will no longer be able to access saved data in your flash drive. A disabled accessory may be caused by an ignorant mistake on your part or a system malfunction. Regardless of whose fault it is, a disabled accessory won’t serve your interest in any way. Bearing this in mind, with the aid of the system management controller (SMC) you can enable USB accessories in your Mac computer once again.

What Does SMC Do and Why You Need It?

Here are some of the functions performed by the SMC

Activating power button when pressed
Responds to opening and closing lids in MC notebooks
Manages battery power
Thermal management
SMS (Sudden Motion Sensor)
Light sensing (Ambient)
Keyboard backlight
SIL (Status indicator management)
Video external source selector

When Do You Need an SMC Reset?

When your Mac computer operating system is running at a very high speed even when it is not performing many tasks at once
Inconsistent keyboard backlight
Inconsistent indicator light
Unresponsive ambient light
When it doesn’t respond to closings and openings
Unexpected sleep or shutdown modes
Improper charge
Slow response to commands
Failing to recognize the external drive
Doesn’t respond when you press the power button

Before You Reset the SMC

Before you decide to reset your Max system to resolve a disabled USB accessory try all these steps first

Press down the power until it shuts down
Tap the command option then the Escape option to quit unresponsive applications
Put Mac in sleep mode by clicking the Apple menu then click sleep. Once the system is asleep wake it up again
Restart Mac by clicking Apple Menu
Shut down Mac by clicking Apple menu then tap the power button again to switch it back on

If Mac is having Power issues follow these simple steps

Unplug adapter for a minute then plug it again
Click Apple menu to shut down
After shutdown remove battery then re-insert it again
Press the power button to turn the power back on again

If the accessory is still not enabled you may need to reset the system. Follow these steps

Reset on MacBook Notebooks

To reset Macbook, check if the battery can be removed. If the battery can’t be removed just

Click Apple menu and shut the system down
After the shutdown holds down the Shift + control option on the built-in keyboard and presses the power button at the same time. Hold all keys for 10 seconds. If your Macbook is a Pro the touch ID is also the power button.
Release keys held down
Press power key to turn Mac on again

If the battery is removable

Shut system down
Remove the battery
Hold down the power key for about 5 seconds
Fix battery back
Press power key to turn the system back on

If the failed USB accessory is the USB port, you can also get the solutions to USB Port issues on Mac.

- 2 minutes to read it.

How to Reset Mac Desktop Computers SMC

For Mac Pro, Mini, Xserve, and iMac follow these steps

Click menu then shut down
With for a few seconds
Plug cable back to a power source
Wait for some seconds then press the power key

If your system is an Xserve computer and it has failed to respond shut it down using commands.

How to Reset SMC in Macs with Apple T2 Security Chip

Click Menu then shut down
After shut down hold down power for 10 seconds
Release the button and wait for some seconds
Press power key again to turn Mac back on

If this doesn’t work do this

Choose menu then shut down
Unplug power cable
Wait for some seconds
Plug cable back to a power source
Wait for five seconds then switch Mac on

Mac notebook with the T2 chip

Choose the menu and shut down
After shutting down the press and hold the power key for about 10 seconds
Release the key and wait for some few seconds
Press power key to time Mac on

If this step does not work follow these steps

Choose the menu and shut Mac down
After shutdown press, the Shift key left option key and left control key. Hold them down for 7 seconds. While these keys are held down hold down the power key for 7 seconds also
Release all keys at once. Wait for a while
Press the power button to turn Mac on

All the steps listed are very effective tips you can use to enable your USB Accessories on your Max Computer. It may take you some time but try to follow all the steps just as they are listed and you can be sure that your Mac system will work as well as before again.

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