Rj45 ethernet to usb 3 or 2 - adapter issues with multiple Macs ...

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Level 1

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Rj45 ethernet to usb 3 or 2 - adapter issues with multiple Macs ...

So occasionally I need to quickly plug in via ethernet to my Asus router to access its control panel when something goes wrong and I need to troubleshoot settings etc. I have multiple MacBooks and Minis...2018 and 2012 models that do not have the older ethernet port. Today I tried to connect RJ45 ethernet into a MB Pro with a USB 2.0 port using an adapter I happened to have sitting around. I got the error message: "USB Accessories Disabled/Unplug the accessory using too much power to re-enable USB devices. Obviously the Mac is seeing this as a device that it thinks is seeking to be 'powered' by the computer. Is there no adapter available to simply convert RJ45 to USB prior to Thunderbolt? Otherwise yes, I see there are USB3+ TB <RJ45 ethernet adapters but they're far more expensive than those for the traditional USB ports and all my computers have that type of USB port....while some don't have TB.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Aug 25, 2022 4:01 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,534 points

Aug 25, 2022 4:37 PM in response to MIKEinMICH

The 2012 and 2018 Mac mini’s both have RJ45 Ethernet ports. I know that for a fact, because I have a 2010, 2011, 2 2012 and 2018 Mac mini’s all connected to my network router thru an Ethernet switch.

What I would do is connect and leave either the 2012 or 2018 Mac mini directly to the ASUS Router via an Ethernet cable and use it to access the control panel.

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Answer 2

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 25, 2022 5:06 PM in response to den.thed

Yep, sorry if i mis-stated this. I do have the port on those machines and they still are functional -- but not on a 2015 MBP Retina that i happened to grab for this situation today and that's when it occurred to me that maybe i could just use a USB port with an RJ45 if there's a way to simply use an inexpensive adapter. Just wondered why that didn't work.. It's no problem keeping an old 2012 MBP handy for going ethernet directly when it arises but i figured it wouldn't hurt to have an adapter to USB if one existed for relatively cheap. I had an older MBP that the ethernet port failed on so i like to have a backup option handle just in case.

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Rj45 ethernet to usb 3 or 2 - adapter issues with multiple Macs ...

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