Intel MacBook unable to recognize USB devices

The computer in question is a 2020 Intel i5 MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It is fully updated as far as the hardware is able (Sequoia); it has pretty severe battery problems but otherwise has no performance issues. In the past couple days it seems to have lost the ability to recognize USB devices – iPhone, hard drives, SD cards, etc. I know it is not an issue with any of the external accessories I've tried because they work perfectly on other computers. It is able to charge via the USBC ports and when an iPhone is plugged in it is able to draw power from the laptop, but other than drawing/receiving power the computer doesn't register that anything is plugged in at all.


Does anyone know what is happening? Is there any way to fix this? Please help!

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Jan 5, 2026 8:30 AM

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Intel MacBook unable to recognize USB devices

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