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Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

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USB 2.0 devices not work on my mac only USB 3.0 Working

I've a MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2012) . The USB ports stopped working a while back; i.e.: the computer would no longer recognize any of USB devices. They are all USB 2.0 devices (external drive, Flash drive, etc.).

I did some testing and confirmed that it does indeed not recognize any USB 2.0 devices. the computer works just fine with any USB 3.0 devices that I've tested it with.

I've already tried all the usual quick fixes: reset SMC, reset PRAM, etc.

What’s the problem is ? Is it a hardware or software issue?

Answer this question I have this problem too

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I am new to macs and recently bought an old iMac to learn. It's a late 2012 i7 with 16GB and a fusion drive. Runs a clean install of Catalina really well but it has a similar problem with USB ports. I figured it might be a hardware issue, but the similarities to the problem here make me wonder. Was this ever resolved for the OP?

In my case, I think I have reset SMC and PRAM following instructions on apple web site. USB3 devices seem to be recognised on all ports and I can read/write to them. I was able to create boot media for a fresh install, however the iMac will only boot from USB on the first port (closest to the thunderbolt ports). This is only a bootup issue. If plugged into any of the other ports, it can be seen and I can set it as the startup disk in settings, but it will not find the drive and timeout booting from internal disk. Booting to startup manager will only discover drives plugged into the first USB port. USB2 flash drives are only recognised in the first port at any time. Wierd!

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To test if it is software, start up in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key on startup. If the USB2 items then work, you have a software issue. This does sound to me like the action of a virus, so I would buy a good anti-virus program like Norton or Symantec Endpoint protection. 70% of the machines I get in are infected. Some, massively.

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I test it in safe mode and it's not work.

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Frankly I've never seen this. What operating system are you running?

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Could you boot the MBP with an external OS just to be sure it's not a software issue. Also you can remove the back panel and check the USB circuitry on the main board for any corrosion or damaged component. Since the problem occurs with the two USB ports the USB controller could be the culprit.

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Mario Since the USB 3 devices work, that would seem to rule out bad ports.

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@mayer it’s macOS catalina 10.15.3 last update.

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try booting from a usb installer if it recognises it maybe it is software. to make sure given your comment use usb 2.0

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I tried this and it’s not work

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Hi, did you ever find a solution?

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iMustafa Jamal will be eternally grateful.
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