2011 Macbook Pro won't detect my USB 3 external drive

I've got a late 2011 MacBook Pro, running OSX Yosemite with all available updates installed.
I recently purchased a 1TB USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 backwards compatible) external hard drive (Seagate) to use for Time Machine backups.
Quite often when I connect the drive to my Mac it doesn't get picked up - i.e. it doesn't appear in Finder or Disk Utility. The drive does get power each time (you can hear it if you put your ear close enough), however the small light on the drive doesn't come on when the problem occurs.
If I unplug it and then plug it back in it sometimes picks it up - often I have to restart a few times for it get picked up.
Other times it connects first time without any problems at all, which is strange!
It was doing this before upgrading from OSX Mavericks to OSX Yosemite.
My USB2.0 500GB external drive connects and appears in Finder without any problems at all.
I've performed the following troubleshooting steps:
- Connected the drive to different USB ports (no change)
- Tested the drive on various Windows workstations (works fine every time)
- Tested with different USB 3.0 cables (no change)
- Formatted the drive (no change)
- Tried different USB3.0 drives (same problem occurs)
I'm not really sure what else to try. You can't seem to get just USB2.0 drives any more in the UK (not 1TB or greater).
Has anyone else had problems?

USB Ports can sometimes be funny like that. If you haven't already, these are some little things you can try:
- First things first, unplug all your usb devices. Try plugging a device that you're sure works on your MBPR over EACH of the usb ports (just to check if they're both working correctly & supplying power on the mac itself).
- Check the USB cable's A plug (the end that connects to the mac) and make sure both the contacts are clean, and that the crevass is free from dirt/lint buildup, as it can interfere with a proper connection. (This can happen if you store cables in cases or bags).
- Sometimes easing the USB plug slightly out from the computer may help mount certain devices. If it DOES mount (abruptly) after this, then see item above on making sure your cable is clean, or swap out usb cable as it may not be working properly & try again with a new cable.
- Lastly, some devices may need a firmware update to even connect, as with the cases of the Lexar USB3.0 Card Readers and some Seagate USB HD's some folks here are experiencing with their Retinas.
Here's another thread that may also be useful concerning an external Toshiba Canvio HD.
It's not much, I know, but hope this helps, if a little.

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Hi R,
You can always book it with you agent, don't you?
Ok, sorry for that, getting on. Try to use Carbon Copy Cloner to create the copy.
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Good luck, K.

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I doubt this can be relocated or moved so you might want to just repost in the macbook pro area.
MacBook Pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions
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Hey Vince,
I have the same or similar issue. Please forgive my English, as I attended American Public schools
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Hello All
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There is a recall on this model:
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[s]

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