You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: darwin219
darwin219 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

mid2011 MacBook Air (MacBookAir4,1) thunderbolt ethernet adapter not connected


I have a mid2011 MacBook Air (MacBookAir4,1) with a "thunderbolt" port on the right side ( thunderbolt icon, not display icon), but it doesn't recognize a thunderbolt ethernet adapter that works on my MacBook Pro. Network preference list it as a Thunderbolt1 Bridge, but it stays "inactive".


About this Mac hardware->thunderbolt shows the device as Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter:


The same adapter+cable+dhcp just works automatically on the Pro.


I haven't tried a PRAM or SMC reset yet.


Thanks

dalonso





Posted on Jun 29, 2021 3:15 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Axel Foley
Axel Foley
User level: Level 10
149,568 points

Posted on Jul 3, 2021 12:45 AM

Try resetting the PRAM and SMC. Below is how-

  1. Reset SMC by following the directions applicable to your MacBook here ➔ How to Reset SMC. If that does not solve things then-
  2. Reset NVRAM/PRAM by following the directions applicable to your MacBook here ➔ How to Reset NVRAM/PRAM. 


Axel F.

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,398 points

Jul 4, 2021 1:02 PM in response to darwin219

I find that the contacts on the MBAir's Thunderbolt port become dirty and need to be cleaned. It is very hard to clean a Thunderbolt port since there is very little room and you have to be very careful not to damage the contacts on the port connector. Sometimes just inserting & removing a Thunderbolt cable/adapter multiple times is enough to clean the port to make it work.

Reply

mid2011 MacBook Air (MacBookAir4,1) thunderbolt ethernet adapter not connected

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up