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User profile for user: BrieucJ
BrieucJ Author
User level: 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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User profile for user: karina184
karina184
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 6:44 AM

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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User profile for user: karina184
karina184
User level: 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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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
188,190 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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