That really typically does not work even though you might expect it to work since most times usb devices work fine when connected to a hub. Usb accessory needs power.
Usb C Hub Adapter
Apple usb superdrive needs power. To connect your superdrive to a thunderbolt 3 usb c or usb c port on your mac you can use one of these adapters. Connect apple usc superdrive to a usb port on this mac. Whats in the box. Theres no separate power adapter and it works whether your mac is plugged in or running on battery power. What is mentioned on that support page from apple and what is commonly known to cause issues is connecting the superdrive via a usb hub. Drives cameras keyboards hubs and other devices that plug into your usb a usb c or thunderbolt 3 usb c port can request a limited amount of power from your mac.
Symptoms a message says that the device needs more power the operation cant be completed or usb devices are disabled until you unplug the device using too much power. I then bought an adaptor off ebay called tfmicrosd sdmmc in order to have several usb ports to be able to plug in an external hard disk and a cd romdvd drive. It connects to your mac with a single usb type a cable thats built into the superdrive. Youll never have to worry about lost cables with the apple usb superdrive. More less mar 12 2020 803 am. The external hard disk works but the cdrom drive gives me this message.
Youll never have to worry about lost cables with the apple usb superdrive. Because the usb port on external displays may not be powered at startup connect the drive directly to the usb ports on your apple computer when you need to use the superdrive as a startup device. Whats in the box. Usb c digital av multiport adapter. It connects to your mac with a single usb type a cable thats built into the superdrive. Reconnect the superdrive directly to the display when you no longer need to start the computer from the superdrive.
To use your superdrive connect it to a usb a port on your mac then insert a disc. Theres no separate power adapter and it works whether your mac is plugged in or running on battery power. I would always assume that a cddvd player would need more power than is supplied by a usb port or funneling it through a hub so i only use one with its own power supply. Make sure that the aluminum enclosure of the superdrive is facing up.