802.1X does not automatically connect when Mac is connected via Ethernet cable

As a test can you update to the latest version of Ventura (13.6) and then test again?

Use wrote " My System Admins haven't seen this problem, but nearly everyone in the office uses the WiFi."

This would imply the computer is enrolled in their Mobile Digital Management Service ( MDM ) like JAMF or some other similar Service

Computers that are managed by there types of services are maintained by the IT Department and or the MDM Service.

They Control ALL aspects of this computer including managing the Internet Connections used in this environment

As info, Sonoma 14.1 released yesterday.

I have the same problem also with Sonoma. The strange thing is that the WiFi which is authenticating in the same way works fine, it’s only on the usb Ethernet adapter where I have to use the connect button to get authenticated.

in my case the two networks, Ethernet and WiFi had been configured using the Apple Configurator

For me is the same, I have Sonoma last version, I had tried with two different usb-c multi port adapters of different brands that have one Ethernet port and the behavior is the same, I have to manually click on connect to be able to authenticate using 802.1X

if I don’t do it, the connections stays always as unauthenticated, so remains on the guest network

Yes, it is true that the admins (techs) manage all that, but when I asked them, no one had heard of the 802.1x authentication (for wired ethernet) spinning forever (again, until I press the buttons to disconnect and then connect). It's not a visible issue for >99% of users.

I suppose that when I tire of the work-around, I'll push on our techs (admins) to contact Apple support to report the problem.

PS: problem persists on MacOS Sonoma 14.3.1.

As there exist a Best Answer designation.

Well, that kind of closes the books on this issue