USB-C Ethernet adapters not working with OS 14 Sonoma MacBook Pro M1

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interact Author

Level 1

46 points

USB-C Ethernet adapters not working with OS 14 Sonoma MacBook Pro M1

It appears apple does not have an ethernet adapter for sale.

I've had great success with my TP-Link mesh wifi routers so I tried their UE300C adapter. I had to install a driver to get the MacBook to recognize it. It was looking good and the connection was showing in the network system settings, but the colored dot next to the connection was amber, and not green. I would renew the DHCP lease, but I would still not get a any working internet. TP-Link support was great, but they said the driver was only tested through system 12. Apparently Sonoma is doing something differently. The TP-Link adapter is using the AX88279 Chip: USB 3.2 Gen1 to 2.5G Ethernet Controller.
As a quick overnight delivery solution I order the amazon basics aluminum B0898C73ZZ USB 3.1 Gigabit adapter. It looked like it would work, as the system asked me if I wanted to allow it to connect as soon as I plugged it in. But, alas, plugging the ethernet cable in does nothing. It's not showing up in the network system settings. I suspect I need a driver, but the ASIX website says Apple macOS Driver: Using macOS native CDC-NCM driver. I suspect the amazon adapter is using the same ethernet controller chip.

Is there any way to get these to work with Sonoma? Thank you.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 5:33 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 10, 2023 7:21 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

With a self-assigned IP the dot is yellow and there is no internet connection. I called my internet provider and asked if i needed a specific IP address and they said i did not, that self assigned will work.

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Answer 2

_meep

Level 1

12 points

Jan 30, 2024 12:37 PM in response to interact

Hello were you able to solve this issue?

I think I have the same issue

The ethernet connection doesn’t seem to work.

Update

Mine works, I didn’t realize that mac doesn’t let you see the ethernet icon and doesn’t switch from wifi unless you disconnect wifi first.

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Answer 3

gareth19

Level 1

12 points

Jul 11, 2024 8:45 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hi Luis,

I am having similar problems. Running 2018 MacBook Pro Sonoma 14.5, ethernet cable plugged into a USB-C adapter and not getting the green light. I was wondering if you could help me at all? I have attached a few screen shots. I would really appreciate any pointers.

thanks so ,

Gareth

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Answer 4

Jul 12, 2024 2:29 AM in response to gareth19

I can see several problems in the screenshots that you posted.

Physical:

The red dot indicates the lack of a physical connection.

Make sure the cables are plugged in fully on both ends.

Also make sure that on the router side the cable is plugged into the correct port. Usually there is a WAN port and three or for LAN ports. You must plug into one of the LAN ports. If in doubt, post a photo of the ports in the back of the router.

Logical:

You should set the IPv4 to "using DHCP and IPv6 to automatic.

If you need to set them up manually, you must assign adequate values. In particular, you DON'T want to use 192.168.1.1 for your mac - that is the IP address of the router. Each device must have its own unique IP.

In this case, using 192.168.1.2 might work, but just set it to DHCP, at least until you get it to work, then revisit this later if desired.

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Answer 5

Oct 8, 2023 11:05 AM in response to interact

interact wrote:

The adapters do appear in the System Report for Hardware USB 3.1 Bus.

The Amazon and TP-Link Ethernet adapters both show up as AX88179A

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/f88f72c0-0889-43f2-8124-1f964394dfc3

This looks ok.

Installing a driver should not be necessary for these devices.

I take it that you are seeing a self-assigned address of the form 169.*.*.*

Are you sure that your router is distributing IP addresses via DHCP over Ethernet?

FWIW, I am using Ethernet via USB-C on my MBP in Sonoma, but my device is from a different manufacturer (RealTek).

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Answer 6

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 10, 2023 7:32 PM in response to interact

The adapter has one LED amber and the other flashing white.

In Network settigns i can get the dot to be green/connected by entering 179.254.65.158 but there's still no internet connection to my computer.

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Answer 7

May 14, 2024 6:56 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

boas luis,

I see my ETH device on the sys info but it's now showing in the network settings.

I got a jiaxi gigabit lan https://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-4063530338-adaptador-usb-31-ethernet-pc-internet-rede-101001000mbps-_JM connected to a macbook m1 pro.

any ideas what to do to make it connect?

I tried with windows laptop and connects easily (both with the usb c adapter and just the cable)

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Answer 8

Oct 8, 2023 6:31 AM in response to interact

First check if the device appears in System Information or not.

Hold down Option and choose System Information from the Apple menu, then click USB.

If it does not show there, it won't appear in the Network settings.

There have been some reports of USB devices sometimes not appearing in System Information.

You did not say if your mac is Intel or Apple Silicon. In Intel macs, you can try resetting NVRAM.

In Apple Silicon macs, you shutdown the mac, wait a few seconds, and start it again. Does it apppear?

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Answer 9

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 8, 2023 12:55 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I am seeing a self-assigned address of the form 169.*.*.* along with a subnet mask number. However, I'm not sure how to tell if my router is distributing IP addresses via DHCP over Ethernet. It's an Arris Surfboard SB8200.

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Answer 10

Oct 8, 2023 1:21 PM in response to interact

If you set the IP manually, you will also have to set other parameters: subnet mask (usually 255.255.255.0)

router and DNS.

The router address is probably the same you see in Wifi (typically 192.168.1.1 or similar) and for DNS either the same or you can use one the public DNS servers.

Can you post a screenshot of your present network settings?

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Answer 11

Oct 11, 2023 2:07 AM in response to interact

Thank you for these screenshots.

It is no surprise that it is not working, since Subnet Mask and Router are not set.

I believe the proper solution would involve logging in to your router (probably using a web interface) and making the necessary adjustments.

You are able to connect using Wifi, right?

Can you connect to your router configuration page?

If not, but you can use internet over Wifi, make screenshots of the Network settings when you are using Wifi - both of the TCP/IP pane, like the ones above, and the DNS pane. We may be able to extrapolate from that information and enter settings for Ethernet that will work.

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Answer 12

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 13, 2023 11:38 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

@Luis Sequeira1 Thank you for trying to help p me with this issue!

I finally got the LAN connection to work.

I had Xfinity Broadband. It was rated at 400Mbps but it was generally running at 80Mbps. Last week I called them about my low connection speed and lack of LAN connectivity. They scheduled a technician to come out on Monday. They never showed up nor rescheduled. Internet support defaults to an automated chat service so actually getting to set up that appointment had been difficult.

Today I switched to Astound Broadband. The technician arrived within hours (the same day), within the allotted time slot. The service is rated to 300Mbps. The wired LAN connection works with DHCP! I'm getting over 250Mbps via wifi and over LAN.

My experience with Astound has been excellent. If anyone wants to switch here's a link that will give me a credit on my monthly bill.

http://refer.astound.com/6twHqR

One warning - I had RCN/Astound previously, when the discounted rate is up they are likely to substantially increase the price. Set a calendar reminder to switch near the end of that agreement period.

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Answer 13

May 14, 2024 7:04 AM in response to gabrielpita

wow, such an easy fix from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/288543/macbook-pro-not-recognizing-usb-ethernet-adapter-in-macos-but-does-in-bootcamp

just go to network settings, locations, delete all except automatic , boom works

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Answer 14

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 8, 2023 9:45 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

The adapters do appear in the System Report for Hardware USB 3.1 Bus.

The Amazon and TP-Link Ethernet adapters both show up as AX88179A

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Answer 15

interact Author

Level 1

46 points

Oct 8, 2023 1:12 PM in response to interact

I changed the IP Address to the one my WiFi router had been using and the Network Settings indicated I was connected (green dot) however, my browser indicates there is no connection.

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