- TL;DR: It’s not just you. Many Mac users are reporting USB-C hub issues after macOS updates — but the good news is, there are solutions.
- Why Is This Happening? Understanding the Real Causes
- How to Fix It: 5 Solutions That Work
- Common Issues & Fixes Summary Table
- Final Thought: Most USB-C Hub Issues Can Be Fixed Without Replacing Your Mac or Hub
- 🔗 Sources
TL;DR: It’s not just you. Many Mac users are reporting USB-C hub issues after macOS updates — but the good news is, there are solutions.
If your USB-C hub suddenly stopped working after a macOS update or on a new MacBook, you’re far from alone.
Thousands of users have reported problems like:
- USB hubs not being recognized after sleep mode
- HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet, or SD card ports randomly failing
- Devices only working after a full reboot (or not at all)
The root cause? It’s often a mix of OS-level security settings, power supply limits, and chipset compatibility issues — not just a broken hub.
Here’s what’s really going on, and what you can do to fix it.
Why Is This Happening? Understanding the Real Causes
■ 1. macOS Updates Are Changing USB Behavior
Recent macOS versions — especially Sonoma 14.4 and later — have introduced stricter rules around USB and Thunderbolt accessory behavior.
- Devices may silently fail to mount after sleep
- macOS may require explicit user permission to allow accessories
- Some devices need to be reconnected multiple times to be recognized
These changes were meant to improve privacy and stability, but they’ve also broken compatibility with many USB-C hubs.
■ 2. Your Hub Might Not Be Getting Enough Power
If you’re using a bus-powered hub (one that runs off your MacBook’s battery), it may not have enough juice to power all connected devices — especially if you’re running:
- SSDs or external hard drives
- Monitors via HDMI
- Multiple USB peripherals simultaneously
⚠️ Symptoms of power issues:
- Ports working intermittently
- One port works, the others don’t
- Device works when directly connected, but not through hub
Solution? Consider using a self-powered hub (with dedicated power input).
■ 3. Some USB-C Hub Chipsets Aren’t Fully Compatible with macOS
Many popular USB-C hubs use Realtek RTL8153 or similar chipsets for Ethernet and USB expansion.
However, macOS updates have introduced compatibility issues with certain drivers or power delivery protocols.
As a result, your Mac may:
- Not detect the Ethernet port
- Fail to power certain USB devices via the hub
- Randomly disconnect and reconnect ports
In some cases, there’s no fix — and you’ll need to switch to a more macOS-friendly hub brand (e.g., CalDigit, Anker, Satechi with newer chipsets).
How to Fix It: 5 Solutions That Work
✅ 1. Change the “Allow Accessories to Connect” Setting
macOS Ventura and Sonoma introduced a privacy feature that blocks USB/Thunderbolt accessories until permitted.
To check:
- Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security
- Scroll to “Allow accessories to connect”
- Select “Automatically When Unlocked” or “Always”
This has resolved hub issues for many users instantly.
✅ 2. Do a Full Power Reset (Not Just a Reboot)
Rebooting your Mac doesn’t fully clear port-level issues. You need a complete power cycle:
On Apple Silicon Macs:
- Shut down the Mac completely
- Unplug the USB-C hub (and any power cable to the hub)
- Wait 30 seconds
- Turn the Mac back on
- Plug the hub back in
💡 This mimics the “SMC reset” that used to exist on Intel Macs.
✅ 3. Unplug All Devices from the Hub and Reconnect One by One
Sometimes a single device is causing the entire hub to fail — especially if it’s faulty or power-hungry.
Steps:
- Disconnect all devices from the hub
- Plug in the hub alone and confirm macOS recognizes it
- Reconnect your peripherals one at a time
- If one device causes failure — that’s your culprit
This is a fast troubleshooting method recommended by hub makers like Satechi and Anker.
✅ 4. Switch to a Self‑Powered USB‑C Hub
If you’re using a hub that draws power directly from your Mac (bus-powered), you may be hitting a power limit — especially with multiple peripherals connected.
Solution: Use a hub with Power Delivery (PD) passthrough or an external power adapter.
Look for specs like:
- 60W or 100W USB-C PD input
- External power supply included
- Specific macOS compatibility
This solves many “it works on Windows but not Mac” problems — because macOS aggressively limits port power under battery-saving rules.
✅ 5. (For Intel Macs) Try an SMC Reset
If you’re still using an Intel-based MacBook, an SMC (System Management Controller) reset can fix USB and power issues.
How to SMC Reset (Intel Macs):
- Shut down your Mac
- Press and hold Shift + Control + Option (left side) + Power for 10 seconds
- Release all keys and turn your Mac back on
Again, Apple Silicon Macs don’t need this — just do a full power cycle instead.
Common Issues & Fixes Summary Table
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Hub not recognized at all | Privacy settings / power issue | Change “Allow accessories” to “Always” |
| Devices not working after sleep | Port not reset correctly | Full shutdown & reconnect hub |
| Ethernet port not working | Realtek driver conflict | Use different brand / updated hub |
| Only some ports work | Power shortage | Switch to self-powered hub |
| Entire hub crashes | Faulty connected device | Disconnect all and test individually |
Final Thought: Most USB-C Hub Issues Can Be Fixed Without Replacing Your Mac or Hub
If your USB-C hub has suddenly stopped working, don’t panic — the issue is likely solvable with settings, resets, or simple workflow changes.
🧩 Start with these:
- Adjust macOS permissions
- Reset power at both ends
- Test individual peripherals
- Invest in a higher-quality, powered hub if needed
As macOS becomes more security- and power-conscious, users need to be more intentional about how and when they connect accessories — but with the right steps, you can get full hub functionality back.
