need more USB-A ports

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184 points

need more USB-A ports

I have a late 2015 iMac that has 4 USB-A 3.0 ports in the back. The problem is that I have more than 4 USB peripherals, so I have a powered USB hub from Anker. One port in back is used for the Anker hub. That leaves 3 ports, but I have 4 devices that aren't recognized by the OS unless they are plugged directly into the computer versus being plugged into the hub--Aluratek web cam, brother laser printer, a Seagate hard drive, and a Western Digital hard drive. Is there any way to get the computer to recognize these devices when plugged into the hub? Or is there a different way to expand the number of ports that will allow the devices to be recognized? I have 2 unused Thunderbolt 2 ports. Is there an adapter to make them USB? Or any other solutions to my need for more ports? Thanks.

Why are some devices not recognized even in a powered hub?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 12, 2022 8:57 PM

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Answer 1

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William M. Author

Level 2

184 points

Jan 18, 2022 2:54 PM in response to William M.

After communicating with Anker tech support (who was exceptional, I might add), I was able to wake up my 7-port hub and all the peripherals that were previously unrecognized are now visible and useable. Thanks to Anker.

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Answer 2

Jan 12, 2022 9:41 PM in response to William M.

It doesn't make sense. I looked at Anker's website and it appears that all their USB-A hubs are USB3.0 (it has a blue-colored USB port).

Have you tried switching it to another USB port on the back of your iMac?

I myself am not a fan of USB hubs. I prefer Thunderbolt docks which allows far higher speeds and expandability. Caldigit is one of the top brands, followed by OWC - my opinion only.

As your iMac is Thunderbolt2, you would have to purchase a TB2-TB3 adapter in order to use the dock.

That doesn't answer your question though. I would look into another dock to see if that resolves it.

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Answer 3

William M. Author

Level 2

184 points

Jan 13, 2022 1:21 PM in response to rkaufmann87

rkaufmann--I wasn't clear on the problem. I already have a powered hub with 7 USB ports, but some of my peripherals are not recognized by the computer when they are plugged in to the hub. They only work when plugged in to one of the 4 ports on the computer. Four devices are like that and I only have 4 ports in the computer. If I use those 4 ports for those 4 devices, then there's not a port in which to plug the hub, so all the other devices that run off the hub are unusable.

If there is a way to get every USB device to be recognized whether it's plugged into the computer or a hub, I'd like to learn that.

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