M3 MacBook Air 2025 OS 26.0.1 and LG Slim Portable DVD Writer. Device does not show up on desktop, and green light on device doesn't blink. Why is there no connection? The device worked perfectly with my older MacBook Pro.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Connection to DVD burner dead
Today's Macbook's USB ports do not supply enough power (or current measured in amps/milliamps) to properly power on and maintain power for many external CD/DVD drives (an exception is the Apple SuperDrive). You will need a USB-C powered hub. The hub connects to an external USB-C power adapter. The external optical drive then connects to the powered hub and the hub connects to the MacBook's USB-C port. The power adapter powers the hub which in turn supplies power to both the external optical drive as well as the MacBook.
Here is an example of one that I use and is verified to work with two different external optical drives I own, one of which is an LG Slim Portable DVD Writer (model SP80NB60). These are drives that do not operate properly when connected directly to the MacBook's built-in USB-C ports.
Today's Macbook's USB ports do not supply enough power (or current measured in amps/milliamps) to properly power on and maintain power for many external CD/DVD drives (an exception is the Apple SuperDrive). You will need a USB-C powered hub. The hub connects to an external USB-C power adapter. The external optical drive then connects to the powered hub and the hub connects to the MacBook's USB-C port. The power adapter powers the hub which in turn supplies power to both the external optical drive as well as the MacBook.
Here is an example of one that I use and is verified to work with two different external optical drives I own, one of which is an LG Slim Portable DVD Writer (model SP80NB60). These are drives that do not operate properly when connected directly to the MacBook's built-in USB-C ports.
You may need to give macOS permission to access the USB device in the Privacy & Security System Settings as mentioned in the following Apple article:
Allow USB and other accessories to connect to your Mac - Apple Support
Normally macOS will pop up a notice asking whether to allow access to the device, but sometimes that pop up window can get hidden behind another window, or perhaps is never shown. For that reason I have selected "Automatically allow when unlocked" for the "Allow Accessories to connect" setting in the Privacy & Security System Settings (the macOS 26.x default is "Ask for new accessories"). I have also seen previous versions of macOS not remember my previous confirmation which is another reason I decided on this choice of custom setting.
"LG Slim DVD Writer not connecting to MacBook Air M3: M3 MacBook Air 2025 OS 26.0.1 and LG Slim Portable DVD Writer. Device does not show up on desktop, and green light on device doesn't blink. Why is there no connection? The device worked perfectly with my older MacBook Pro."
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Using External CD/DVD Reader on a Mac:
A power hub may work just fine. But, this is the CD/DVD burner that I use, and it powers just fine, right off of the USB-C to USB Adapter I use to plug this into my M2 Mac from: External USB CD/DVD Writer - verbatim
Very helpful.
I first changed the Privacy and Security Settings to "Automatically allow accessories to connect when unlocked" per HWTech's advice. Still didn't allow the DVD burner to connect, even after a re-start. Thus, I've ordered the hub and will be able to test Sunday. Thanks to both!
Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it as a backup in case the hub doesn't work or my current DVD writer dies.
“Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it as a backup in case the hub doesn't work or my current DVD writer dies.”
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You are welcome.
LG Slim DVD Writer not connecting to MacBook Air M3