how do I connect my USB superdrive to my Macbook air

a superdrive will not work if connected through a hub or dock. you need to connect it direct. and with Macs that only have USB-C (TB3) ports, you need an USB-C to USB Adapter to connect it direct.

frederic179 wrote:

jefferythefrog: as it happens I have USB-C to USB Adaptor.

is it the apple branded adapter? or is it 3rd party? I have seen a couple times where the superdrive didn't work properly with a third party adapter, but then worked properly with the apple branded adapter.

I have the driver working, but it does not show up in the launch pad.

it won't show up in launch pad. depending on your finder preferences, it will show up in the finder sidebar and / or your desktop once a disc is inserted.

it clicks a lot and then kicks out the disk.

that could be due to a 3rd party adapter. but, if yours is the apple branded adapter, the superdrive may be faulty.

Is there a way to show that the superdrive is working in the tool tray?

the easiest way would be to put either an audio CD or a video DVD in the player and see if it plays. but first, go into System Settings > CDs & DVDs and set your settings this way:

you haven't said if your adapter is the apple branded one. as already stated, it could be because the adapter is 3rd party, or the superdrive is faulty. do you have access to another Mac to try the drive out on? other than those things, sorry, I'm out of ideas. maybe someone else here will have a suggestion.

you're welcome. :)

you're welcome.

I just had another thought. are you close to an Apple Store or an AASP where you could take the superdrive to and have them test it with one of their Macs?