If I were to take a guess...

Being serial data, vs. parallel, the port/devices only needs two connections i.e. |..| to pass data and cables will tend to provide only this.  If the device requires the second pair i.e. |||| used typically for power and such, to reactivate then the extension cable, if missing these inner two wires, would not pass any charge and/or data.  The device then does not know to reactivate.

look on the inside of the ends of the extension cable and see if you can see four contact leads and this should tell if you have all four or just two contact leads for data only function.

Just a wag.

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Fred