My 2014 Mac mini on Monterey 12.7.3 frequently loses its Ethernet connection, which has been at the top of the network list since forever. It switches to wifi, which is turned off. I prefer to work via Ethernet.
This is relatively recent since the last several OS updates. For a long while, it stuck to Ethernet like glue.
What is the fix???
Mac mini, macOS 12.7
Try booting into Safe Mode to see if that makes a difference. If this works, then most likely you have some third party software installed that is interfering with the normal operation of macOS.
Try creating a new macOS user account. Log out of the main user account & log into the new user account. How is it behaving now? If this works, then something within your main user account is causing a problem.
Delete the Ethernet item that is shown in the screenshot. Reboot the computer. Now re-add the Ethernet item to see if it works Ok now.
Try connecting with WiFi to make sure you can access the network that way. If not, then your router is having some sort of issue that isn't not fixed with a simple reboot. Maybe check to see if there are any firmware updates available for you router.
Try running the Apple Diagnostics which should boot to the online diagnostics. It would be interesting to see if it is able to do so.
Try booting into Safe Mode to see if that makes a difference. If this works, then most likely you have some third party software installed that is interfering with the normal operation of macOS.
Try creating a new macOS user account. Log out of the main user account & log into the new user account. How is it behaving now? If this works, then something within your main user account is causing a problem.
Delete the Ethernet item that is shown in the screenshot. Reboot the computer. Now re-add the Ethernet item to see if it works Ok now.
Try connecting with WiFi to make sure you can access the network that way. If not, then your router is having some sort of issue that isn't not fixed with a simple reboot. Maybe check to see if there are any firmware updates available for you router.
Try running the Apple Diagnostics which should boot to the online diagnostics. It would be interesting to see if it is able to do so.
Try rebooting the computer....this can fix lots of things.
Power cycle the router and all hardwired switches.
Try connecting to a different Ethernet port on the switch and router.
Try reseating the Ethernet Cable on the Mini.
Try another Ethernet Cable.
I doubt this will make any difference, but try a PRAM Reset (hold for at least three chimes).
So you do not know why this is happening?
As it so happens, my horrible ISP Xfinity aka Comcast was having intermittent micro-outages in my neighborhood (which occurred yesterday as well) and that's why my Ethernetted desktop computer was losing touch with the Internet.
Mac mini on Monterey 12.7.3 frequently loses Ethernet connection
