macbook doesn't detect usb wifi adapter

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BrieucJ Author

Level 1

10 points

macbook doesn't detect usb wifi adapter

Hi,

I connected a wifi usb adapter to my macbook, but it doesn't recognise it as a network adapter.

The usb port and device work fine, as the device appears in the list of usb devices:

% ioreg -p IOUSB | fgrep NIC

+-o 802.11n NIC@14200000 <class AppleUSBDevice, id 0x10001bfe8, registered, matched, active, busy 0 (0 ms), retain 12>

(this line appears only when the wifi usb adapter is plugged, so that's really it)

But it doesn't materialize as a new network adapter.

I'm using mac os 11.6 and the adapter is a netsys wf2123 (based on RTL8192EU).

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Nov 2, 2021 3:55 AM

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Answer 1

karina184

Community Specialist

Nov 3, 2021 6:44 AM in response to BrieucJ

Hey BrieucJ,

It sounds like you have a concern with a Wi-Fi USB adapter not being detected.

Try these steps here to help with this: If a USB device doesn’t work with Mac - Apple Support. There's also a step to see if your Mac is detecting the hardware of the device. If that doesn't work, try starting in safe mode to see if it's detected: How to use safe mode on your Mac. If it is detected in safe mode, restart the Mac normally and try again.

Have a great day.

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Answer 2

BrieucJ Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 3, 2021 7:01 AM in response to karina184

Thanks for the message. I followed those steps. They're the equivalent of what I already did. The adapter is detected, but it doesn't result as the creation of a network interface that I can use.

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

203,952 points

Nov 3, 2021 7:36 AM in response to BrieucJ

BrieucJ wrote:

Thanks for the message. I followed those steps. They're the equivalent of what I already did. The adapter is detected, but it doesn't result as the creation of a network interface that I can use.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.6

Old issue, new issue, what changed?

Wifi Adapter because you internal WIFI card is not functioning...(?)

Are you using a Apple branded —USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

Compare your results with a different adapter to test compatibility...

< netsys wf2123 > Support/Help/FAQ/known issues/compatibility

https://www.netis-systems.com/Suppory/de_details/id/1/de/89.html

The Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple

Make changes to >System Preferences>Network (?)

Change network settings on Mac - Apple Support

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macbook doesn't detect usb wifi adapter

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