USB Memory Sticks Appearing On Desktop, But Not Always: Why ?

[Robert11]

Hello,

Have several USB Memory Sticks formatted as ExFat.

Sometimes, seems random, when I plug them in they immediately appear on the Desktop.
Other times not.

I can always find them in the Finder of course, but would much prefer
they show in Desktop when initially plugged in.

Any thoughts as to whey they sometimes do, and sometimes don't ?

Or, how to make so they always do ?

Thanks for help,
Very appreciated.

Bob

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hello,

-Have you tried different USB ports?
-Are you ejecting them properly?
-Have you tried an SMC reset?

C

 

[Robert11]

Hi,

Yes, tried different USB Ports. Same problem.

Ejecting them: to be honest, not all the time. What is the effect(s) of not ejecting them properly ?

What's a SMC reset ?

Thanks, as always, for all the help.
Bob

 

[Robert11]

Hi again Cory,

Seems to work now !
Appears on Desktop.

Can't imagine why it wouldn't before.
Absolutely no idea.
To the best of my knowledge, nothing changed.

I "hate" intermittent type problems; just so hard to diagnose.

So, thanks again for help.

Stay well,
Bob

 

[Cory Cooper]

Hi,

The proper way to eject USB flash drives is to drag them to the Trash, wait for them to unmount from the Desktop, then unplug them. If you don't, you will get an error message and they can become corrupted - which could be causing the issue.

How to reset the SMC of your Mac

Resetting the SMC is a good thing to try when connection ports are acting up.

Glad it seems to be resolved.

C