How to Connect TJCXELE USB 3.0 KVM Switch to M4 Macbook Pro
Date: 2025-05-21 | build | create | gadgets | kvm-switch | productivity | tech | tesmart | tjcxele |
I recently upgraded my desk setup from a TESmart USB 2.0 KVM Switch to the TJCXELE USB 3.0 KVM Switch for connecting my Windows PC and Macbook Pro to all my accessories and dual monitors. Overall I really like the new design as it has several more USB ports to plug my accessories into.
However I did have some troubles connecting to my M4 Macbook Pro so here wanted to share how I fixed it.
1. Restart your computer
Whenever I have connection issues, I like to first try and restart my computer. In a surprising number of cases this fixes it with no extra work on my part.
This didn't work for me but it might work for you and only takes a few seconds.
2. Determine if the accessories work with the Macbook directly
The next thing I did was try and figure out if the problem was with the KVM switch or my accessories talking to the Macbook. Macbooks are notorious for not picking up on connected devices so this is an important debugging step.
I took my keyboard and mouse out of the KVM switch and plugged it into the Macbook and found that they worked fine. This indicated to me that the problem was somewhere between the accessories and the Macbook.
3. Double check the output cord is 3.0
I realized I was using old USB cords between my KVM Switch and Macbook which could be the cause of this so I went to the store and bought USB 3.0 cords and tried those. They also didn't work but on further inspection these were "data transfer" cords that required some sort of software to work which seems suspect.
I eventually plugged in the cord that came with my 3.0 KVM Switch directly from the KVM Switch to the Macbook via a USB Hub attached to it. Low and behold this worked!
So before you trash the KVM switch, double check the USB cord is 3.0.
Note:
- I eventually settled on an AINOPE 3.0 USBA cable to an Anker USB 3.0 Hub which works well with my Macbook.
- The Amazon Basics USBA to USBC 3.0 cable did NOT work for me which makes me think the Macbook is looking for some special kind of signal from the accessories that some cords provide and some don't.
Next
In general I'm very happy with my TJCXELE USB 3.0 KVM Switch and am once again reminded that Macs are very finnicky machines.
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