
If there is a referendum on the most popular mistake of Mac, one of the main contestants would be the message of accessories USB deactivatedThis error can happen to any Mac user. For some, it is triggered when a USB device is inserted into the system, while for others, it occurs even when there is no USB device connected to the system.
Whenever there is a power surge or your Mac thinks there is one, to protect your system, it disables all its USB accessories. This problem can be caused by a device, for example, if you have connected a device to your Mac that consumes a lot of power. And in that case, the USB accessories disabled message on your Mac can be fixed. using a USB powered hub.
What causes the USB Accessories Disabled error?
If that is not the case, then the USB accessories disabled message can be caused by many factors along with issues with hardware, but mainly for the following:
- Outdated operating system of the systemIf your system's macOS is not updated to the latest version, it may conflict with other OS modules/kernels (such as the USB extension kernel) and cause the issue in question.
- SMC corrupt: SMC manages low-level settings such as power to various devices on the system, including USB ports. If the SMC itself has become damaged, it can cause a false positive of a power surge on a USB port, forcing the Mac to disable all USB accessories.
- NVRAM and PRAM damaged: If any of these memories get stuck in an error state, it can cause a power surge on a USB port and therefore cause the error in question.
- infection of malware: If your Mac is infected with malware and if that malware tries to access a USB device, the USB device may start to consume more power than the USB port can provide, hence the USB accessories disabled message.
Before diving into more detailed solutions, check to see if trying any of the steps mentioned in the list below resolves your issue:
- Make sure the USB ports and any other devices you are using are free of lint or dirt. Also, check if the pins inside the USB ports No. are making a wrong connection with the other side.
- Check if connect again all USB peripherals solves the problem.
- If the problem is triggered after inserting another device, make sure that the cable of that device is not damaged or try another cable with the device.
- Check if booting your Mac with the minimum solves the problem.
- If the problem is due to a card, check if using a card adapter solves the problem.
- Check if you connect the problematic device to another port solves the problem, especially by inserting it into the rear ports of the Mac.
What should I do to fix the USB accessories disabled error message?
In case the above methods do not work for you, you can try the following techniques:
Update your system's macOS to the latest version
If your system's macOS is not updated to the latest version, it may conflict with other system modules (such as USB ports) and cause the USB accessories disabled message. Here, updating your system's macOS to the latest version may resolve the USB issue.
- Open the Preferences of the system and opens the Software update.
- Now, check if there is an operating system update available.
- If so, click on Update Now o Update Now (in case of an OS version update) and sigue instructions for downloading and installing the macOS update.
- Once the operating system is updated, reboot your system and check if the USB accessories issue is resolved.
Boot your Mac machine into safe mode
When you start your Mac in the safe mode, you delete certain registries, directories, kernels (such as USB kernel extension) that may be causing the USB problem. In this context, starting your Mac in Sade mode may solve the problem.
- Firstly, turns off your Mac.
- Now turn on your system and immediately hold down the Shift key, just before you see the Apple logo.
- When the Apple logo is displayed, support the Shift key and let the progress bar appear full.
- Once the system boots into safe mode, boot it into the normal mode and check if the USB disabled issue is resolved.
Reset NVRAM and PRAM memories
NVRAM and PRAM are memories that are used to store certain Mac settings and can be accessed quickly when needed. If any of the memories are stuck in an error state, the Mac may not be able to access certain USB ports resulting in the USB accessories disabled issue. In such a case, resetting the NVRAM and PRAM to default may resolve the USB issue.
- Firstly, turns off your Mac machine and hold down the following keys:
POWER + COMMAND + OPTION (Alt) + P + R
- Now, you need to hold down the above mentioned keys until you hear the startup sound by second time and then release the keys. For a Mac with T2 chips, you can release the aforementioned keys when the Apple logo is displayed on the screen during the 2nd ª In both cases, you may be able to hold the keys for about 30 seconds.
- Once your Mac machine is turned on, you need to make sure if the Mac does not have any USB accessories.
- If this didn't work, then you can reset the SMC (as explained later in this article), and when your system boots from the SMC, perform a NVRAM/PRAM reset to see if that fixes the USB issue.
Scan your Mac for malware
If your machine Mac is infected with malware and that malware is interfering with the USB cores of the operating system, then it can cause the USB accessories issue in question. In such a scenario, scanning your Mac for malware and removing the malware can resolve the issue.
- start a Web navigator y download un free virus checker like Bitdefender.
- Now start the application downloaded and sigue the instructions To start the Scan de malware of your computer.
- Once the scan is complete, remove any detections made by the scanner and then check if your system is working fine.
Use Disk Utility First Aid to fix disk errors
If the directory structure of your drive or disk itself has some errors, then the Mac may throw the USB error by hand. Here, using First Aid in Disk Utility to repair the disk errors may solve the problem.
- Start the Finder and open Applications.
- Now select Utilities and open the Disk Utility.
- Then, in the Disk Utility sidebar, select your Macintosh HD.
- Now, in the top bar of the window, select First aid and let the process complete.
- Finally, check if your Mac has any issues with USB accessories.
Perform an SMC reset
System Management Controller or SMC controls the low-level configuration of your Mac, such as system thermal or power management, etc. If in a rare case, your system’s SMC is in an error state, it may affect the performance of your Mac like the current USB issue. In such a scenario, performing an SMC reset of your Mac may clear the USB accessories disabled message.
- Turns off your Mac system and connect it to the charging adapter.
- Now press and hold down Ctrl + Option + Shift + Power button during 10 seconds. You may notice a brief change in the MagSafe light as an indication of an SMC reset.
- then loose the four keys and press the button On to turn on the system.
- Once powered on, check if the USB accessories disabled issue is resolved.
Disables the DDC/CI function of the monitor
The Display Data Channel/Command Interface (also known as DDC/CI) is a collection of different digital communication protocols between a PC and a display unit. This interface allows users to control supported computer graphics properties from the monitors.
If your monitor is exhibiting a DDC/CI complaint and the USB accessories disabled message occurs when the monitor is connected, disabling the DDC/CI interface in the monitor settings may resolve the issue.
- Start the Monitor Settings menu and select System o System input.
- Now open DDC / CI and select DisabledFor some models, you can find the option in the OSD Settings menu.
- Then check if your system doesn't have the USB disabled issue.
Disable notifications or enable Do Not Disturb mode on your system
If none of the above solutions worked for you, disabling notifications or enabling do not disturb mode on your computer may solve the problem. But keep in mind that this option will only stop notifications if the USB ports are working fine for you. Also, keep in mind that this will disable all notifications like calendar notifications, etc.
- Start the Preferences and open Notifications.
- Now deactivate all notifications and check if the USB accessories disabled message is cleared.
- If you don't like this option or it doesn't work, open the Control center and click Do not bother.
- Now cierra Control Center and hopefully the USB accessories issue is resolved.
Additionally, you can use the following code to disable or enable notifications for 1 hour:
Disable: –
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.UserNotificationCenter.plist
Enable: –
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.UserNotificationCenter.plist
If the problem persists or you don't want to disable notifications, check that your Mac doesn't have a hardware problem.
If you follow these simple recommendations you will be able to put an end to this error on your Mac. In case you know of a different method, remember that you can share it with the rest of our readers in our comments section. Thank you for your visit, we will see you in a next post. Until then.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.