Connect macbook to ethernet via Belkin mini hub

Question

Connect macbook to ethernet via Belkin mini hub

Hi I'm trying to connect my Macbook Pro to Ethernet. It's a mid2019 model so I've had to attach a Belkin mini hub so that the ethernet cable connects. I have put it in to all sorts of sockets but currently it's in an airport express (which has a green light).

I can't work out why I can't connect to ethernet - if I turn off wifi there's nothing (but I have a good wifi connection).

In System Preferences/Network/ it can't find anything. I can create a new connection there and it wants to use DCHP. My ISP tells me that all settings should be set to automatic so they can't see what's wrong.

It's not the cable - lights are on and I've tried two.

Should I be looking at Airport Utility to change settings? Airport Utility is set up for the Time Machine to connect via wifi via PPPoE so maybe it's not looking for ethernet. I've also tried plugging the ethernet in to the 2nd slot down on the back but no connection when directly in there either.

Help!

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro 15”, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 15, 2020 8:32 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 15, 2020 8:56 AM in response to Tesserax

It’s a brand new one, only a few days old. One things I’ve just done which seems to have fixed it (I should have tried this first perhaps) is shut down and restart the machine. Doing so and it seems to be connected. Not sure if it’s a refresh issue?

Reply

Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

158,100 points

Feb 15, 2020 9:45 AM in response to David Bywater

Hmm, looks like it would be the "perfect" hub for any of the newer Mac notebooks with a USB-C port, including the MacBook which only has a single USB-C port. I don't think that your MacBook Pro's Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports should be any different.

The only things that come to mind are:

The hub is defective ... at least, the Ethernet port on it.
The Ethernet stub cable you are using may be faulty.
The Ethernet port on the AirPort Express is either faulty or not configured properly.

I'm going to assume that the first two are not the issue, so let's take a look at your Express base station. If you don't mind, I have a few questions to help clarify things:

Which exact model is your AirPort Express base station?
Is the Express your "main" Internet router in your current network configuration? That is, do you have it connected directly to your Internet modem by Ethernet?
Is your Internet modem a simple modem or a combination modem & router, aka, a gateway device? Regardless, what is the make & model of this device?
If you can connect another Ethernet-capable device directly to the Express, can it gain Internet access?

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,018 points

Feb 15, 2020 2:33 PM in response to David Bywater

The Express has either two Ethernet ports on the back or only one.

If it has only one......look for the model number on the side of the device. It is hard to see.....gray lettering on a white background, so you may need good lighting and/or reading glasses to see the number clearly. The model number starts with an "A" followed by 4 numbers. You likely have either A 1264 or A 1084. Post back with your findings.

If the Express has two Ethernet ports.......you have model number A 1392.

Reply

Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

158,100 points

Feb 15, 2020 8:52 AM in response to David Bywater

From your post, it appears that the mini hub is not allowing Ethernet to "pass-thru" and may be defective. Which exact Belkin mini hub do you have?

Reply

Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,018 points

Feb 15, 2020 3:08 PM in response to David Bywater

i could put the Ethernet in to the TP link as there is a spare port there too but I prefer plugging it in to an Apple product

It's your call, but not sure if you were aware that the Ethernet ports on the Express are limited to only 100 Mbps. Unless you have a very old TP Link router, the Ethernet ports on the TP Link are 10 times faster at 1,000 Mbps.....also known as Gigabit.

Reply

Answer 6

Feb 15, 2020 2:51 PM in response to Bob Timmons

A1392 then. Two ports, one cable in from the TP link and 1 out for the Ethernet to the Belkin.

i could put the Ethernet in to the TP link as there is a spare port there too but I prefer plugging it in to an Apple product

Reply

Answer 7

Tesserax

Level 10

158,100 points

Feb 15, 2020 9:01 AM in response to David Bywater

Per chance is this your Belkin hub?

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJ4N2VC/A/belkin-usb-30-3-port-hub-with-gigabit-ethernet-adapter?fnode=8b&fs=f%3Dadapter%26fh%3D4595%252B45b0

Reply

Answer 8

Feb 15, 2020 9:08 AM in response to Tesserax

Close - this one - https://www.belkin.com/uk/p/P-F4U092/

Bought from an Apple certified retailer who said I should trust if over an Elgato as Belkin were the only products that are apple certified as definitely compatible.

Reply

Answer 9

Feb 15, 2020 12:20 PM in response to Tesserax

Trying to find the model number but I think it was the last one running software version 7.8.1; the express is connected to a TP Link base station in a plug socket with a reliable connection. Ethernet cables connect the time machine to the other TP link so ethernet links all over; modem is quite old - all ISPs these days seem to want to give me an all in one which then only lets me use the time machine as a back up. I've been told in the past that the time machine should be much better than any 'free' router from my isp even today. Sadly I don't have another ethernet device I can think of to check.

I suspect that it's somehow arisen from when I 'safely ejected' external hard drives earlier, perhaps it 'unplugged' the working ethernet link too?

Reply

Answer 10

Feb 16, 2020 1:03 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Wasn't aware so thank you - I'll do that!

Going to eject my external drives in a second so will see what that does to my ethernet connection...

Reply

Connect macbook to ethernet via Belkin mini hub

Similar questions