iMac 2020 27" ethernet will not connect

I have an iMac 202 27" that is running the most recent release of MacOS (i.e. it is up to date). About a week ago I noticed my ethernet network was not connected. At that time there were severe thunderstorms in the area but my iMac was powered down. There was a problem with the router the iMac was connected to and it was replaced. My ethernet is still showing not connected. I have taken the following steps to isolate the problem: 1) ran etrecheck (no trouble found) 2) ran Apple hardware diagnostics (no trouble found) 3) Checked all cables (all are still checking out ok.). 4) I have deleted and readded the ethernet network (no success) 5) I have a CalDigit TS3+ dock and connected my ethernet cable but it too shows "not connected"


I am not sure what options I still have. Any suggestions?

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Sep 21, 2023 11:05 AM

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Oct 18, 2023 2:02 PM in response to millerbc182

The trouble I find with Apple's Diagnostics, is if it can't find a piece of HW it'll just skip that test.


In System Settings>Network, try adding an ethernet port.


In System Report>Hardware, does anything show under Ethernet Cards, or System Report>Network?


To find out if it's system wide or user specific, try this...


Open System Preferences>Users & Groups, unlock the lock, click on the little plus icon, make a new admin account, log out & into the new account.


Does it work in the new account?


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Sep 21, 2023 12:58 PM in response to millerbc182

Gulp, Ethernet & Lightening don't get along well, I suspect it's dead. :(


No idea what number is missing from 202, but look for...


https://www.amazon.com/usb-ethernet-adapter/s?k=usb+ethernet+adapter


https://www.amazon.com/ethernet-Adapter-Supporting-Ethernet-Network/dp/B084MCVVP9?th=1


They have them in USB-C also.

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Oct 18, 2023 1:44 PM in response to millerbc182

This is an update on my original issue. To correct a type, the system in question is a 2020 27" iMac running the latest version of MacOS. My original attempts to resolve this issue involved verifying the connectivity of the ethernet cable (it tested fine), connecting it to the iMac ethernet port (it failed - did not connect), and then connecting it to the ethernet port on the TS3+ (it also failed - did not connect). I purchased a USB/ethernet adapter and connected my ethernet cable to the adapter and then to a Thunderbolt port. This was a success and I was able to connect.


So, I don't know what my problem is. Is it a hardware problem with the ethernet port on the iMac (MacOS hardware diagnostic did not find a problem), a software problem, or my Router?


My router is a mesh router (amplifier) and it uses an ethernet backbone.


Any suggestions on how to diagnose would be greatly appreciated.

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Oct 18, 2023 2:28 PM in response to millerbc182

Remove the dock and go directly to the Mac with a new Ethernet cable and try and reestablish a connection.


Your dock may be fried as well all the cables. Surprisingly enough, over voltage effects even mundane parts such as cables.


I have no idea if it's Passé now days, but every sensitive electronic device should be on a surge protector. Shutting down a wall powered device does not necessarily eliminate the electrical pathway. If there is a "hard break" in the path the amount of electricity a lightening strike delivers can easily jump tiny switches inside a Mac. With a surge protector, and even then, the only protection from lightening, without a whole house arrestor system, is to physically unplug the device from the house electrical system.

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iMac 2020 27" ethernet will not connect

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