Libra Color not mounting as external device via USB

m_pluto · 03-03-2025, 06:45 PM

So I am having an issue where I connect my Libra colour to my computer via usb (macOS in case it matters) and about every 1/3 to 1/4 times it never shows up. Not even when I go to terminal and I ask it to list all drives connected/mounted to my computer, which has in the past showed me drives that were connected but not mounted (this includes ones that disk utility were not showing). Though on the screen of my kobo it says it is "connected & charged".

It does not seem to matter which cable I use, nor which port I'm using on my computer ('19 MacBook Pro, 16", which has 4 usb-c ports & a headphone jack). I've done multiple factory resets, and done all the moving around, but this problem seems to be persistent no matter what I change or try to do.

Anyone have any insight/advice to help with this?

DNSB · 03-04-2025, 01:24 AM

One ex-coworker was having a similar issue with his MacBook with both his Kobo and his wife's Kindle. He added a USB hub with USB-C and USB-A ports plus a HDMI port which does not work well with his older external monitor. I think it was sold as a "docking station" since it also offer an Ethernet RJ-45 port and a µSD card port.

m_pluto · 03-04-2025, 04:12 AM

The thing that makes this weird is that I have no other device with which to replicate this. I have an old K3 that connects just fine, and a bunch of other devices and none of them have the same problem. :/

fogice · 03-04-2025, 11:49 AM

I've had this issue with a Libra 2 on MacOS. I think it might be some kind of timing issue.

The best workaround I have found is to add USB Connect to your menus with Nickelmenu. If I plug in my Kobo and it doesn't show up, this menu option will establish the connection to Calibre.

Code:

menu_item : main : USB Connect : nickel_misc : force_usb_connection

This is also useful to populate your metadata after importing a new book without unplugging and replugging.

meeera · 03-08-2025, 05:07 AM

Are you using a quality USB-C to USB-C cable, or the supplied Kobo cable with an adapter?

m_pluto · 03-08-2025, 04:24 PM

Yes, all usbc to usbc , including but not limited to an apple usb4, a usb cable that came with a hard drive I bought, a thunderbolt cable, another one that is from best buy’s in house brand… I’ve tried a wide variety of cables in all 4 ports on my computer and its all the same.

meeera · 03-09-2025, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_pluto

Yes, all usbc to usbc , including but not limited to an apple usb4, a usb cable that came with a hard drive I bought, a thunderbolt cable, another one that is from best buy’s in house brand… I’ve tried a wide variety of cables in all 4 ports on my computer and its all the same.

Hm. I would try a different computer (to make sure the problem is with your kobo, not your computer) and a hub if you have access to those. As far as I recall the hub solution worked with the microUSB devices, though, so I'm not sure about that.

m_pluto · 03-09-2025, 02:40 PM

Welp, I am SOL then as I only have one computer, and without some kind of guarantee that the hub solution is likely to succeed, I'm not gonna spend money on buying a hub at this moment in time.

I recently installed the AutoUsbGadget kobopatch which automatically enables usb storage mode when connected to a computer. Not a fix by any means, but a workaround to make it less cumbersome to connect.

Quoth · 03-09-2025, 03:39 PM

It's €6 for a hub here even in a local city shop.
Does solve connection issues.

meeera · 03-10-2025, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_pluto

Welp, I am SOL then as I only have one computer.

I mean, fair enough, lots of people only have one computer. But you don't know anyone else who has a computer?

John F · 03-10-2025, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

I mean, fair enough, lots of people only have one computer. But you don't know anyone else who has a computer?

Or take it to a library?

meeera · 03-10-2025, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

Or take it to a library?

There are libraries which allow customers to connect USB devices to their computers?

DNSB · 03-10-2025, 12:58 PM

My local library allows connecting a USB device to their computers but you can only write to the device. Reading is disallowed. For testing a Kobo reader's ability to connect to USB, this would work.

John F · 03-10-2025, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

There are libraries which allow customers to connect USB devices to their computers?

I'm going to say yes. I used flash drives on library computers, so I assume that devices can be plugged in.

PeterT · 03-10-2025, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

My local library allows connecting a USB device to their computers but you can only write to the device. Reading is disallowed. For testing a Kobo reader's ability to connect to USB, this would work.

How can they allow writing but disallow reading?

03-03-2025, 06:45 PM	#1
m_pluto Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour	Libra Color not mounting as external device via USB So I am having an issue where I connect my Libra colour to my computer via usb (macOS in case it matters) and about every 1/3 to 1/4 times it never shows up. Not even when I go to terminal and I ask it to list all drives connected/mounted to my computer, which has in the past showed me drives that were connected but not mounted (this includes ones that disk utility were not showing). Though on the screen of my kobo it says it is "connected & charged". It does not seem to matter which cable I use, nor which port I'm using on my computer ('19 MacBook Pro, 16", which has 4 usb-c ports & a headphone jack). I've done multiple factory resets, and done all the moving around, but this problem seems to be persistent no matter what I change or try to do. Anyone have any insight/advice to help with this?

03-04-2025, 11:49 AM	#4
fogice Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 49504 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Libra 2	I've had this issue with a Libra 2 on MacOS. I think it might be some kind of timing issue. The best workaround I have found is to add USB Connect to your menus with Nickelmenu. If I plug in my Kobo and it doesn't show up, this menu option will establish the connection to Calibre. Code: menu_item : main : USB Connect : nickel_misc : force_usb_connection This is also useful to populate your metadata after importing a new book without unplugging and replugging.

03-09-2025, 02:40 PM	#8
m_pluto Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour	Welp, I am SOL then as I only have one computer, and without some kind of guarantee that the hub solution is likely to succeed, I'm not gonna spend money on buying a hub at this moment in time. I recently installed the AutoUsbGadget kobopatch which automatically enables usb storage mode when connected to a computer. Not a fix by any means, but a workaround to make it less cumbersome to connect. Last edited by m_pluto; 03-09-2025 at 02:45 PM.

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03-04-2025, 01:24 AM	#2
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,048 Karma: 168961900 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	One ex-coworker was having a similar issue with his MacBook with both his Kobo and his wife's Kindle. He added a USB hub with USB-C and USB-A ports plus a HDMI port which does not work well with his older external monitor. I think it was sold as a "docking station" since it also offer an Ethernet RJ-45 port and a µSD card port.

03-04-2025, 04:12 AM	#3
m_pluto Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour	The thing that makes this weird is that I have no other device with which to replicate this. I have an old K3 that connects just fine, and a bunch of other devices and none of them have the same problem. :/

03-08-2025, 05:07 AM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,813 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	Are you using a quality USB-C to USB-C cable, or the supplied Kobo cable with an adapter?

03-08-2025, 04:24 PM	#6
m_pluto Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour	Yes, all usbc to usbc , including but not limited to an apple usb4, a usb cable that came with a hard drive I bought, a thunderbolt cable, another one that is from best buy’s in house brand… I’ve tried a wide variety of cables in all 4 ports on my computer and its all the same.

03-09-2025, 03:39 PM	#9
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,992 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	It's €6 for a hub here even in a local city shop. Does solve connection issues.

03-10-2025, 12:58 PM	#13
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,048 Karma: 168961900 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	My local library allows connecting a USB device to their computers but you can only write to the device. Reading is disallowed. For testing a Kobo reader's ability to connect to USB, this would work.

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