RPI ZERO 2 W: USB appears to be power only

Development Boards Raspberry Pi
1

Hello,

I just started to play with my new Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. I am trying to add an external hard drive. I have had limited success getting the drive to be visible from within the RPI.

Symptoms:

  • I connect a powered caddy w/ 2.5" HDD. I hear the drive spin up. Nothing else

  • ```
    sudo fdisk -l

    <LIST><LI>```
lsusb
``` only returns the "Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub"</LI> </LIST>
<LIST><LI>```
dmesg | tail
``` does not show any changes when i plug in any usb device</LI></LIST>

Things I've tried:
<LIST><LI>different power adapters for RPI (Amazon 1A, powered 12A HUB, 4A Apple) and 2 separate USB to microUSB cables</LI> </LIST>
<LIST><LI>different hard disk hubs (both cheap chinese, but comes with separate 12v power)</LI></LIST>
<LIST><LI>trying to connect a 32GB usb stick w/ OTG adapter (it has a light indicating its powered, but still not visible in RPI)</LI></LIST>
<LIST><LI>connecting Windows USB3 port to the RPI data port (not power port). still nothing visible in RPI</LI></LIST>

I am starting to suspect that the port is capable of providing 5v power, but simply cannot access any data anymore.

Things I'm meaning to try next:
<LIST><LI>get a mini hdmi so i can see if anything obvious from terminal that isnt available through ssh</LI></LIST>
<LIST><LI>getting a USB hat to see if those ports would work (assuming that only the port is bad)</LI></LIST>

Any other suggestions?
    • 2

    Make sure you’re using the correct port, the one closest to the end of the board is power only.

    3

    I confirmed, I am using the correct port for data labeled “USB”.

    4

    Does a USB keyboard work through an adapter ([micro usb to female USB-A)

    If not, I’d suspect a bad Pi and you’d need to get that replaced.](Pi Zero Micro-B to USB A socket - 5in - CAB-14276 - SparkFun Electronics)

    5

    I’m waiting for my miniHDMI adapter to show up so i can access the terminal session and actually see if the keyboard is working. I’ve been running headless from the start and accessing via ssh over wifi.

    But just to see what system messages I’d get, i plugged in a Logitech keyboard. this is what i get is dmesg. still nada in lsusb.

    [  909.719398] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  909.929346] usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 2 using dwc_otg
[  909.929718] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  910.139263] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[  910.259569] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  910.469261] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[  910.589396] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  910.799270] usb 1-1: new full-speed USB device number 3 using dwc_otg
[  910.799641] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  911.009285] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[  911.129747] Indeed it is in host mode hprt0 = 00021501
[  911.339278] usb 1-1: device descriptor read/64, error -71
[  911.459353] usb usb1-port1: attempt power cycle

    also this is one time thing per boot. if i unplug/replug the keyboard, nada. i have to reboot w/o anything in the usb port, then plug it in and it’ll throw these errors again

    6

    I’ve “resolved” the issue. I bought a USB Pi Hat and that seems to have enabled me to get USB working again in at least some of the new USB A ports. interestingly, not all the ports work on the Pi Hat (granted, it was off-brand from Amazon). I’m not sure if thats telling to the original issue? Are there some ports working with the old controller? some with the new controller?I’m not well read on how USB really works to understand the possible points of failure.

    Either way, all my accessories work in at least some of the new USB A ports. So I’m filing this as a win. :smiley: