Ventura 13.4.1 removed my USB hub

Question

Ventura 13.4.1 removed my USB hub

My computer was working correctly, no problems, but I updated from 13.4 to 13.4.1. Since this update I cannot access anything that is plugged into one of my USB hubs. It's relatively new (six months old), a highly-rated, high-speed USB hub powered by a wall plug; the interface is one of the USB-A slots on the back of my computer. The self-powered USB-C hub and the other wall-powered USB-A hub still work, but the new hub was where I put my external hard drives (since it has a faster interface than my older hubs).

I tried all the standard stuff -- unplug everything, restart, unplug and replug all the USB connections, etc. On the other hand, the only thing that changed was updating by 0.0.1 in the OS and this failed.

A secondary problem is with 1Password. It is supposed to launch its helper app at login, and has done so for months. After this new update it won't launch until the first time I launch the app manually from my Applications folder.

Is there something else I should be doing? I doubt it's a hardware error since it occurred only on the OS update.

Mac mini (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jun 28, 2023 10:59 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,304 points

Jun 28, 2023 12:04 PM in response to Russell Kurtz

Try the following:

1 - Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac - Apple Support (for Intel Macs) and Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support (for both types)

2 - How to reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

If the above don't help try booting into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

Jul 22, 2023 9:44 AM in response to Easthawk

While it isn't clear what caused the hub to fail, and I haven't tried it with a different computer, the company that made my hub replaced it for free, and the new one works. It is theoretically possible that your hub and mine just happened to fail at the same time that the 13.4.1 update was installed; more likely, there was another security increase in the OS that blocked certain USB actions, which are required by the specific hubs. (This happened in the past when they increased the software security which prevented a number of applications from working.)

Also, I assume your hub was powered? My security concept assumes that only certain powered hubs are affected.

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Answer 3

steve626

Level 6

13,791 points

Jul 22, 2023 12:58 PM in response to Easthawk

Easthawk wrote:

I am having the exact same problem and it is unbelievable that there is no fix - Apple support is clueless and recommend fixes that I have tried multiple times before. How the **** could this serious bug be missed in testing 13.4.1? My entire set of 4 SSDs can no longer be accessed by my MacBook Pro unless I plug them directly into my laptop - which I can’t do because all the ports are taken by other things. This is astounding. My entire daily work process has come to a halt unless I can find and buy a hub that will work. I tested another one I had and same issue. APPLE - PLEASE find a fix and communicate it!!

I have had hubs fail. They fail when they fail and what causes that to happen is unknown, but they have complex electronics and eventually can fail. It if happens close to the time of an update, the update can be blamed but that might not be the actual cause. Some hubs require a firmware update to stay compatible with the MacOS.

Neither you nor Russell mentioned the brand and model of the hub. In his case, a new unit from the manufacturer does work now. So in his case there was something incompatible with his older hub or it simply failed. People may be better able to help with diagnosis or troubleshooting if you describe the excite model and brand.

I use multiple laptops running 13.4.1(c) and have several hubs from OWC and Pluggable that work fine.

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Answer 4

Jun 28, 2023 8:51 PM in response to Old Toad

Unfortunately none of this worked. Apple claims that my SMC is reset every time I restart the computer; just to be safe, I shut it down, unplugged it for 7 hours, then plugged it back in to restart. I tried safe mode and there was no difference (except that my start at login items didn't start). The USB hub is invisible and 1Password starts now after a normal reboot but the mini-1Password in the menu bar quits after a few seconds.

I also asked the manufacturer, who also suggested resetting the SMC. But nothing has worked yet. I'm leaning towards replacing the hub, even though it's not old.

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Answer 5

Easthawk

Level 1

29 points

Jul 22, 2023 9:05 AM in response to Russell Kurtz

I am having the exact same problem and it is unbelievable that there is no fix - Apple support is clueless and recommend fixes that I have tried multiple times before. How the **** could this serious bug be missed in testing 13.4.1? My entire set of 4 SSDs can no longer be accessed by my MacBook Pro unless I plug them directly into my laptop - which I can’t do because all the ports are taken by other things. This is astounding. My entire daily work process has come to a halt unless I can find and buy a hub that will work. I tested another one I had and same issue. APPLE - PLEASE find a fix and communicate it!!

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Ventura 13.4.1 removed my USB hub

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