Pendrive Not Detected on Mac but Other USB Devices Work? Here’s How to Fix It
If your Mac recognizes devices or Pendrive not Detected like your wireless mouse or Bluetooth radio but fails to detect your USB flash drive, you’re not alone. This issue is common among Mac users, especially after macOS updates or when using USB-C adapters. This guide offers a comprehensive, step-by-step solution to help you resolve the problem and recover your files.
🔍 Why Your Pendrive Isn’t Showing Up on Mac
Several factors can cause your USB drive to go undetected:
- Loose or faulty USB ports or cables: Physical connection issues can prevent the drive from being recognized.
- Incompatible file systems (e.g., NTFS): macOS can read but not write to NTFS-formatted drives without third-party software.
- macOS settings hiding external drives: Finder preferences might be configured to not display external disks.
- Corrupted or unmounted drives: The drive may be damaged or not properly mounted.
- Insufficient power supply to the USB device: Some drives require more power than the Mac’s USB ports provide.
✅ Step-by-Step Fixes for Mac Not Detecting USB Drives
1. Reconnect and Test Different Ports
- Unplug and replug the USB drive.
- Try all available USB ports on your Mac.
- Use a different USB-C adapter if applicable.
- Test the drive on another Mac or PC to determine if the issue is with the drive or the Mac.
2. Check Finder Preferences
Sometimes, macOS recognizes the drive but doesn’t display it on the desktop.
- Open Finder > Preferences > General.
- Ensure “External disks” is checked.
- Navigate to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar and verify that “External disks” is selected.
3. Use Disk Utility to Mount or Repair the Drive
- Open Disk Utility via Applications > Utilities.
- Locate your USB drive in the sidebar.
- If it’s greyed out, select it and click Mount.
- If mounting fails, click First Aid to repair the drive.
4. Check System Information
If the drive doesn’t appear in Disk Utility:
- Hold Option and click the Apple menu > System Information.
- Under USB, check if your drive is listed.
- If listed but not mounting, the drive may be corrupted or require reformatting.
5. Format the Drive (Data Will Be Erased)
If the drive is recognized but unusable:
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select the USB drive and click Erase.
- Choose a format:
- APFS for modern Macs.
- exFAT for compatibility with Windows.
- Click Erase to reformat the drive.
Note: This will erase all data on the drive.
6. Use NTFS for Mac Tools
If your drive is formatted in NTFS (Windows format), macOS can read but not write to it.
- Use third-party tools like NTFS for Mac to enable full access.
7. Reset SMC (System Management Controller)
Resetting the SMC can resolve hardware detection issues.
- Shut down your Mac.
- For Macs with non-removable batteries:
- Press and hold Shift + Control + Option on the left side and the power button simultaneously for 10 seconds.
- Release all keys and turn on your Mac.
📌 Additional Tips
- Update macOS: Ensure your system is up to date.
- Use a powered USB hub: Some drives require more power than the Mac’s USB ports provide.
- Avoid using USB hubs when troubleshooting; connect the drive directly to the Mac.
🧠 Conclusion
When your Mac detects other USB devices but not your pendrive, it’s often due to minor issues like port problems or system settings. By following the steps above, you can identify and resolve the problem. If the drive is corrupted, consider using data recovery tools like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to retrieve your files.
For a visual guide, you can watch the following video:
How To Access USB Drive in Macbook Air/ Pro or iMac
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is my USB drive not showing up on my Mac?
This issue can be caused by file system incompatibility, faulty USB ports, corrupted drives, or macOS not mounting the drive automatically. Try checking Disk Utility to see if the drive appears but isn’t mounted.
2. How do I make my USB flash drive appear on Mac Finder?
Go to Finder > Settings > General, and ensure “External disks” is checked. Also, check Finder > Sidebar and make sure “External disks” is selected.
3. What should I do if my Mac USB port is not working?
Try resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) or using a different port. Also, test with another USB device to rule out hardware failure.
4. Can I use NTFS USB drives on Mac without formatting?
macOS can read NTFS-formatted drives but cannot write to them without third-party software like Paragon NTFS or Tuxera NTFS.
5. How do I fix a corrupted USB drive on macOS?
Open Disk Utility, select the USB drive, and click First Aid to repair it. If this fails, you may need to format the drive.
6. Why is my USB drive not mounted automatically on Mac?
It could be due to a system glitch or a damaged filesystem. Use Disk Utility to manually mount the drive or run diskutil mountDisk /dev/diskX in Terminal.
7. Will formatting my USB fix the detection issue on Mac?
Yes, formatting often fixes filesystem-related issues. Back up your data first, then format the USB as exFAT or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for compatibility.
8. How to reset SMC on Mac to fix USB issues?
For Macs with Apple silicon, just restart the Mac. For Intel Macs, shut down, hold Shift + Control + Option + Power for 10 seconds, then release and power on.
9. What is the best format for USB to use on both Mac and Windows?
Use exFAT as it supports large files and works with both macOS and Windows without needing additional drivers.