Q: Thunderbolt ethernet does not connect when plugged in.
-
Sep 12, 2012 7:04 PMby Augsburg57,I've had similar problems. Especially in hotels, the wifi can be slow or the signal is weak. I've tried connecting my 2012 15" Retina MBP with ethernet using my Thunderbolt adapter, however I have never been ablt to connect to the internet through ethernet. It will show an active ethernet connection in Network preferences, but no internet. I've tried reboots to no avail, and when I tried installing the Thunderbolt Software Update (1.2), I get an error message that it is not supported by my software??? My old 2007 Macobbok connects via ethernet no problem. I spent $4k on the rMBP and now can't do what I used to do.
-
Sep 12, 2012 9:52 PMby brianfromwaverly,I feel a bit foolish to admit that, at least in my case, a large part of the problem was ignorance. To be brief, I did not realize that I needed to hit "Apply" in the network preferences window to get the location to actually switch to the one I had selected. Duh. I have also realized that when the network does switch to a new location setting configuration that has wifi disabled, the wifi actually turns itself off. I think I like this approach, but it seems different from the logic of 10.7. I could be wrong, however, since I had not used the location feature extensively on my previous MBP running 10.7. I have discovered now that if I choose a new location from the Apple menu (rather than from the Network prefs), the system acts as if I had clicked "Apply." So switching location setups is really a one-click process. I had forgotten you could switch locations in the Apple menu. I still wish I could simply leave the location setting on "Auto" and ignore it, as I had done previously. On Auto, the system used to automatically switch to ethernet if I plugged in a cable, preferring ethernet over wifi automatically. It doesn't seem to do this anymore. It's not a big deal. I'm satisfied now with how it works.
I wish Augsburg57 well. It sounds like his/her issue is somewhat different from mine.
-
Nov 20, 2012 12:16 PMby Pedro Gelabert,I have the same problem. It started after applying the latest firmware update. In order to recognized that an ethernet cable is plugged-in, I need to restart the rMBP. Before the firmware update, I could connect the thuderbolt addapter at any time and it recognized that there was a cable connected. I will submit a bug to Apple.
-
Feb 18, 2013 5:53 AMby JediMindTrick,I have the problem now out of nowhere. I have never had a problem with the adapter until last night. Now it will show that it is connected and display an IP address, but no internet or access to anything on my network. Really quite annoying there is no fix for this.
-
Feb 18, 2013 6:45 AMby brianfromwaverly,Check your DNS server settings. I had this problem come up at work. I have set my DNS server settings to us 8.8.8.8, and I suddenly had no internet access. My place of work apparently blocks alternative DNS servers, presumably so they can monitor the traffic, or control it. DNS settings can be changed under the "Advanced" panel in "Network" settings. Choose the DNS tab and either delete custom settings to return to default settings or add an alternative DNS such as 8.8.8.8 (Google).
I don't know if this is at all helpful, but it's what I got.
-
Feb 18, 2013 7:34 AMby JediMindTrick,Good thought Brian. I tried it, but it didn't work. It was encouraging to hear that you were able to mess with some settings and get it working again, so I dove in a little more. Low and behold, I deleted the Thunderbolt Ethernet from the Network page, then applied, then added it back, clicked Apply again and it ended up working. Something must have corrupted in the driver and just needed to be reinitialized. Oh well, hope this can at least save someone a headache down the road.
-
Mar 28, 2013 4:12 PMby vytec,What if you don't even have the Thunderbolt Network adapter listed in the list of Network connections. All I have is WiFi, Bluetooth PAN & Bluetooth DUN, and in the bottom section there's VPN, PPPoE & 6 to 4.
I have a Mid 2012 with Retina Display Mac Air with 10.8.3 Build 12D78 installed for OSX.
If I goto the About this Mac and More Info and click on the Thunderbolt section it shows that I have the ethernet adapter plugged in and if I remove it and then refresh it goes away and then plug it back in and refresh comes back to the list. Below is what it's showing under More Info - System Info
Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter:
Vendor Name: Apple Inc.
Device Name: Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Vendor ID: 0x1
Device ID: 0x8003
Device Revision: 0x1
UID: 0x0001000200B220F0
Apple Serial Number: DTN237407WEDWKHB5
Route String: 1
Firmware Version: 5.5
Port:
Status: Device connected
Link Status: 0x2
Port Micro Firmware Version: 0.0.8
But I can't see any Thunderbolt Adapters listed under Network Connections and it won't connect to the router since I don't have a network connection listed in my Networking section.
-
May 22, 2013 3:21 AMby NuevaYork,I resolved the issue (with help of R. Singh). This is how I did it:
1. Unplug the Thunderbolt Network adapter (and / or Display adapter). This will not work if you keep the Network or Display dapter plugged in while doing the next few steps.
2. At the top main menu, click on "Go" and then "Computer". Navigate to: Library > Preferences > SystemConfiguration and drag to the trash the file "NetworkInterfaces.plist"
3. Restart your MacBook Pro and log back in. Once you’ve logged in, connect your Thunderbolt Network adapter again.
4. Go to System Preferences and click Network. If you see Thunderbolt Ethernet in green, you’re all good. Otherwise, click the plus + button at the bottom of the list of network interfaces and create a new Thunderbolt Ethernet interface.
-
Nov 9, 2013 3:28 PMby gymshoe,I have this exact same problem.
To summarize, I am using a cable modem (RCA DHG536) on Comcast. I am running MacOS10.8.5. My thunderbolt ethernet has a "connected status" under System Preferences> Network. Network preferences says I have an IP address (although it does not list any Router or DNS server)). And when I try to access the internet, it says I am not connected to the internet. The same cable modem works on MacOS10.6.8 and Windows 8.
If I follow the instructions under Network Diagnostics, there is no resolution or change.
If I run Network Utility, I can see packets being sent and received (a few) and link status is active as well. But no internet connection.
I have meticulously tried the solution proposed by JediMindTrick (which worked for him and muradn79), but it doesn't work for me.
I have meticulously tried the solution proposed by NuevaYork (which worked for him), but it doesn't work for me.
I tried creating a new location (as worked for brianfromwaverly), but I get the same problem as when location is "automatic".
I did not understand Hank7's suggestion about changing the environment profile. When I googled (mac os x environment profile), I didn't get much except references to environment variable, which didn't seem relevant (or I couldn't see the connection). So I did not do anything with my environment variable (which I have never done anything with in the past either…)
Does anybody have any other ideas?
If not, does anybody have any suggestions about other places to look for answers?
Thanks!
-
Nov 10, 2013 7:51 PMby dr.cheese.beer,Since upgrading my mid 2012 MBP Retina to Mavericks (10.9), I have been experiencing the same issue. Everything is plugged in, but the Network System Prefs panel shows "Cable Unplugged". Ethernet cable is plugged into a known good port on the switch. Plugging the adapter into another (older) MBP works without issue. I have tried deleting NetworkInterfaces.plist - issue still exists. I removed the adapter in the Network System Prefs panel then re-added. It came back online for a short while (about a half hour) then it cut out again. Haven't been able to get it back online since. I too am looking for any ideas or suggestions. Thank you!
