Ethernet won't work unless I restart computer

I have the same problem, once my computer goes to sleep and then I wake it back up and the "Display Ethernet" is "Not Connected". Very annoying and I haven't found a fix.

I'm seeing the same problem with my early 2011 MBP 15". On some occasions after I connect it to the Thunderbolt Display it will report that the Display Ethernet has a disconnected cable despite this being incorrect. A reboot with fix the problem and restore ethernet functionality.

I'd be interested to hear how widespread the problem is or if anyone has a solution other than rebooting the computer.

As for your question about sound... I've had some success in the past changing the default audio output to a different USB sound device after installing the Sound Source software found here:

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies/

Make sure you have applied all firmware/software updates,

including the display firmware update.

I have a 2011, 13" i7 MBP hooked up to mine and in clamshell

mode and sleep it every night without issue. My router is an

Apple Airport Extreme Base Station, whether that means anything

or not. It is also set up for DHCP.

I am also facing the same problem with the new Thunderbolt Display, where the Ethernet does not work after my 2011 MBA 13" goes to sleep and back.

I have applied all software updates and none to update anymore.

Anyone knows how to resolve this?

Same problem here with the ethernet connexion. I have the latest firmware and software updates. Rebooting "solves" the problem. 😢

+1 for me as well. Early 2011 17" i7

+1 same problem for me : MBA mid2011 i7

+1 for me.

Actually it's a slightly different scenario for me;

I use my MBA 13" mid 2011 at home as a standalone, connected via Wifi (no external display).

When I come into office I hook up to my TBD.

The MBA always defaults to connect to the office Wifi even though the Display Ethernet cable is connected to the TBD and this is set as a higher priority connection in the Network Preferences panel.

Even if I manually turn off Wifi the Display Ethernet DOES NOT CONNECT automatically, even though it then defaults to the highest priority connection (Wifi falls down the list to about the 3rd priority).

The ethernet cable is physically connected but Network Preferences tells me "Status: Cable unplugged". Even if I manually remove the cable and plug it back in it does NOT recognise the connection.

The ONLY way to switch to ethernet is by rebooting the MBA as you've all previously mentioned.

I'm really displeased with the TBD and wish I'd just bought a standalone iMac 27" without any of these problems (and without numerous other bugs/lack of features) and which could have been booted up to use as an external display with the MBA too.

Really hope they pull their finger out on this annoying bug.

+1 for me on a 2011 13" MBP 2.7 i7.

I'm having the exact same problem as carltonmj.

This problem has been so annoying that I'm just plugging in my network cable to my computer and bypassing the display. It's a shame that such a sweet feature can't be used.

I wanted to get a TBD for my home office, but after dealing with this issue I'm less interested.

Please fix this Apple!

Looks like the problem might have been resolved with the latest Thuderbolt firmware update that just came out.

I still have the problem, and I have the latest firmware. Ethernet works when I plug it in to my mid 2011 MBP, but it doesn't when I plug it into the display (and yes, I have "Display Ethernet" enabled and it used to work).

And a reboot helped.

I am having a similar problem as well, but for me it's not just the TB ethernet port, it's all the ports on the TB display as well as the internal camera and speakers. The computer throws the image up on the TB display and detects it as a screen, but none of the ports/integrated perhierpals work until I reboot the laptop. They will stay connected until I unplug/replug the Thunderbolt display and then another reboot is required for them to work agian. I am running the latest OS 10.7.2 release and TB firmware.

+1 Really? $1,000 display and I have tons of problems, including this one. My Apple USB keyboard works 80% of the time, but sometimes not, my display ethernet works 80% of the time, but sometimes not, my display switches properly when I unplug my MBA, but about 50% of the time, not. A reboot always resolves all of these problems, but what an annoyance. Yes, I have all of the latest firmware and OSX patches. Come on Apple, step up and resolve these issues please.

I have not encountered the problem since 10.7.3. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My issue always appeared while having USB hubs plugged in to the cinema display. That always caused the ethernet to fail to reconnect after wake. No problems after 10.7.3.